Study on the mechanism of Shaoyao gancao decoction in improving intestinal motility in rats with slow transit constipation by regulating the ASIC3/ERK signaling pathway
- VernacularTitle:芍药甘草汤调控ASIC3/ERK信号通路改善慢传输型便秘大鼠肠道动力的机制研究
- Author:
Ziqi ZHANG
1
;
Hongyun ZHOU
2
;
Qiong ZHAO
1
;
Yuan DENG
3
;
Mengjie ZHAO
2
;
Chen ZHAO
4
;
Jingyi CHEN
2
Author Information
1. Dept. of Pediatrics，Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine，Chengdu 610075，China;Clinical Medical College，Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine，Chengdu 611137，China
2. Dept. of Pediatrics，Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine，Chengdu 610075，China
3. Chongqing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine，Chongqing 402760，China
4. School of Pharmacy，Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine，Chengdu 611137，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
slow transit constipation;
Shaoyao gancao decoction;
ASIC3;
ERK;
ENS-ICC-SMC network
- From:
China Pharmacy
2025;36(15):1852-1858
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of Shaoyao gancao decoction in improving intestinal motility in rats with slow transit constipation （STC） by regulating acid-sensitive ion channel 3 （ASIC3）/extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK） signaling pathway. METHODS SD rats were used to construct an STC model by gavage with compound diphenoxylate. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into model group， Shaoyao gancao decoction group （1.5 g/mL）， lactulose group （208.4 mg/mL， positive control）， and combined inhibition group （Shaoyao gancao decoction 1.5 g/mL+amiloride hydrochloride 20 μg/kg）， with 12 rats in each group. Additionally， 12 healthy rats were selected as the blank group. They were given relevant medicine once a day and continuously intervened for 14 days. After intervention， the intestinal propulsion function and visceral sensitivity of the model rats were detected. The expression of ASIC3 in the colon tissue of rats was observed by immunohistochemical staining. mRNA expressions of ASIC3， ERK1 and ERK2 as well as protein expressions of ASIC3， ERK1/2 and phosphorylated ERK1/2 （p-ERK1/2） in colon tissue of rats were detected； the ultrastructural changes of the enteric nervous system （ENS） -interstitial cell of Cajal （ICC）-smooth muscle cell （SMC） network in the rat colon were observed under electron microscopy. RESULTS Compared with the model group， the intestinal propulsion rate of the Shaoyao gancao decoction group was significantly increased， while the visceral pain threshold was significantly decreased. The proportion of the positive area of ASIC3 in the colonic tissue was significantly increased. The relative mRNA expression levels of ERK1， ERK2， and ASIC3， as well as the relative protein expression levels of p-ERK1/2 and ASIC3， and the p-ERK1/2 to ERK1/2 in the colonic tissue， were all significantly increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Additionally， there was marked repair of the morphological structure of ICC and SMC， with closer gap junctions observed. Compared with the Shaoyao gancao decoction group， the combined inhibition group exhibited a diminished improvement in intestinal motility of rats， with statistically significant differences in the levels of some indicators （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； the repairing of the morphological structure of ICC and SMC was notably attenuated. CONCLUSIONS Shaoyao gancao decoction can effectively improve the intestinal transmission function and promote intestinal repair in STC rats， and its mechanism may be related to regulating the balance of the ENS-ICC-SMC network mediated by the ASIC3/ERK signaling pathway， thus promoting intestinal motility and reducing visceral sensitivity.
