Ethnopharmacological relevance At present, the colorectal cancer (CRC) is a malignant tumor of the colon and rectum that is often found at the junction of the two, and it will invade many visceral organs and organizations, causing very serious damage to the body of the patient. Patrinia villosa Juss. (P.V), is a well-known traditional chinese medicine (TCM), and is recorded in the Compendium of Materia Medica as a necessary article for the treatment of intestinal carbuncle . It has been incorporated into traditional cancer treatment prescriptions in modern medicine. While the mechanism of action of P.V in the treatment of CRC remains unclear. Aim of the study: To investigate P.V in treating CRC and clarify the underlying mechanism. Materials and methods This study was based on Azoxymethane (AOM) combined with the Dextran Sulfate Sodium Salt (DSS)-induced CRC mouse model to clarify the pharmacological effects of P.V. The mechanism of action was found by metabolites and metabolomics. The rationality of metabolomics results was verified through the clinical target database of network pharmacology , and find the upstream and downstream target information of relevant action pathways. Apart from that, the targets of associated pathways were confirmed, and the mechanism of action was made clear, using quantitative PCR (q-PCR) and Western blot . Results The number and the diameter of tumors were decreased when mice were treated with P.V. P.V group section results showed newly generated cells which improved the degree of colon cell injury. Pathological indicators presented a trend of recovery to normal cells. Compared to the model group, P.V groups had significantly lower levels of the CRC biomarkers CEA, CA19-9, and CA72-4. Through the evaluation of metabolites and metabolomics, it was found that a total of 50 endogenous metabolites had significant changes. Most of these are modulated and recovered after P.V treatment. It alters glycerol phospholipid metabolites, which are closely related to PI3K target, suggesting that P.V can treat CRC though the PI3K target and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. q-PCR and Western blot results also verified that the expression of VEGF, PI3K, Akt, P38, JNK, ERK1/2, TP53, IL-6, TNF- α and Caspase-3 were significantly decreased, whereas that of Caspase-9 was increased after treatment. Conclusion P.V is dependent on PI3K target and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway for CRC treatment.
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with pro-tumor inflammation playing a critical role in its initiation and progression. Chronic inflammation acts as a major driving force and a distinct mechanism underlying tumorigenesis. Although previous studies have demonstrated the importance of the VEGF/p38MAPK and p38MAPK/HSP27 signaling pathways in CRC-associated inflammation, a comprehensive understanding of the entire pro-tumor inflammatory mechanism remains incomplete.Methods: This study combined network pharmacology analysis and in vivo pharmacodynamic experiments using a p38MAPK pathway inhibitor to systematically identify and validate the VEGF/p38MAPK/HSP27 pro-tumor inflammatory signaling pathway. Western blotting was used to confirm key target proteins. Molecular docking and microscale thermophoresis (MST) experiments were conducted to screen active compounds from Patrinia villosa (PV). Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations evaluated the stability and drug-likeness of compound-target interactions.Results: Key proteins VEGF, p38MAPK, and HSP27 were identified as critical components of the signaling pathway. Three active compounds rutin, nicotiflorin, and 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (4,5-Dicqa) were found to bind these targets with high affinity. MD simulations supported the stability of these interactions and their potential as drug candidates.Conclusion: This study provides theoretical and experimental evidence for pharmacological targets involved in pro-tumor inflammation in CRC. The findings offer valuable insights for developing novel anti-inflammatory therapeutics targeting the VEGF/p38MAPK/HSP27 signaling pathway.