Ma Y, Hu J, Song C, Li P, Cheng Y, Wang Y, Liu H, Chen Y, Zhang Z. Er-Xian decoction attenuates ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis by modulating fatty acid metabolism and IGF1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023;
301:115835. [PMID:
36252878 DOI:
10.1016/j.jep.2022.115835]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Er-Xian decoction (EXD) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula used to treat osteoporosis (OP). However, the anti-OP mechanism of EXD has not yet been fully elucidated.
AIM OF THE STUDY
The study aimed to verify the anti-OP effect of EXD and to explore its underlying mechanism.
METHODS
The anti-OP targets and mechanisms of EXD were predicted by network pharmacological analysis. Then, an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model was established to validate the key anti-OP mechanism of EXD. Firstly, the therapeutic effect of EXD on OP was confirmed using micro-CT bone analysis, pathological observation, and ELISA detection. Secondly, serum metabolites related to key biological processes were detected using an automatic biochemical analyzer and GC-MS. Finally, ELISA, qRT-PCR, and western blot were utilized to further explore the potential key anti-OP pathway of EXD.
RESULTS
A total of 159 anti-OP targets of EXD were identified. Functional annotation revealed that OP treatment using EXD was associated with lipid metabolism, fatty acid (FA) metabolism, and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Experimental studies confirmed that EXD ameliorated ovariectomy-induced bone loss and bone microstructure deterioration. EXD treatment also upregulated the level of serum estrogen and downregulated the level of OC, PⅠNP, CTX-1, TC, and LDL-C. Besides, principal component analysis (PCA) and heat map of serum FAs distinguished OVX rats from the SHAM and EXD groups. Serum concentrations of important n-3 FAs, including C20:3N3, C20:5N3, and C22:5N3, were significantly increased in the EXD group. The increased stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) index 1 and index 2 in the OVX group were reversed by EXD administration. Additionally, EXD reversed the decreased serum IGF1 level and tibia IGF1R, PI3K, and AKT expression in OVX rats.
CONCLUSION
EXD ameliorated ovariectomy-induced bone loss by modulating lipid metabolism, FA metabolism, and IGF1/PI3K/AKT pathway.
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