Huanghou Zhixie dropping pills alleviate ulcerative colitis via MAPK/NF-κB signalling pathway

To investigate the effect and possible mechanism of Huanghou Zhixie dropping pills in ulcerative colitis treatment.

The study was conducted at the Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China, between March and November 2022, and comprised specific pathogen-free Bagg albino (C57BL6) adult female mice. Ulcerative colitis was induced using dextran sulfate sodium. The mice were divided randomly into control group, model group, low-dose Huanghou Zhixie dropping pills HZDP-L group, medium-dose Huanghou Zhixie dropping pills HZDP-M group, high-dose Huanghou Zhixie dropping pills HZDP-H group, and mesalazine group. The quality of the model was verified through Disease Activity Index, Colonic Mucosal Damage Index, and Histopathological) analysis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure inflammatory factors related to ulcerative colitis, including Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF β), Interleukin-4 (IL-4), Tumour Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10). Western blot analysis was conducted to examine the relevant factors, such as cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, Protein 65 (P65), Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK), Phosphorylated Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (p-MAPK) and Phosphorylated Protein 65 (p-P65). Data was analysed using SPSS 20.

Of the 36 female mice aged 8 weeks and having mean weight 18±2g, 6(16.66%) were in each of the 6 groups. Huanghou Zhixie dropping pills significantly reduced dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis symptoms, weight loss and colon damage (p<0.05). Huanghou Zhixie dropping pills decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory TNF-α, IL-1β, TGF-β, and IL-6 factors, and increased the expression of anti-inflammatory IL-4 and IL-10 factors in the colon tissue of the mice (p<0.05). Additionally, Huanghou Zhixie dropping pills reduced the expression of cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, P-MAPK and P-P65 in the colon tissue (p<0.05).

Huanghou Zhixie dropping pills alleviated colitis by modulating inflammatory factors through the Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase/Nuclear Factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (MAPK/NF-κB) signalling pathway. The Huanghou Zhixie dropping pills could be a potential therapeutic option for ulcerative colitis treatment, offering a novel approach to managing the disease by targeting specific inflammatory pathways.