Integrated Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology Study on the Mechanism of Kangfuxiaoyan Suppository for Treating Chronic Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
I am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
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Women’s Health
Women’s Health
Women’s health, a vital aspect of medical science, encompasses various conditions unique to women’s physiological makeup. Historically, women were often excluded from clinical research, leading to a gap in understanding the intricacies of women’s health needs. However, recent advancements have highlighted the significant role that the microbiome plays in these conditions, offering new insights and potential therapies. MicrobiomeSignatures.com is at the forefront of exploring the microbiome signature of each of these conditions to unravel the etiology of these diseases and develop targeted microbiome therapies.
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Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
OverviewPelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a significant infection of the female upper reproductive tract, affecting the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and other surrounding pelvic structures. It is most commonly caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. These infections ascend from the cervix or vagina into the upper genital tract, where […]
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Divine Aleru
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was studied?
This study examined the therapeutic mechanisms of Kangfuxiaoyan suppository (KFXYS), a traditional Chinese medicine, in treating chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) through integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology. Researchers conducted experiments using a rat model of CPID to assess the effects of KFXYS treatment on inflammation. They characterized the chemical ingredients of KFXYS, identified components absorbed into the bloodstream using advanced UPLC-Q-TOF/MS techniques, analyzed their pharmacokinetics, and employed network pharmacology to predict potential therapeutic targets and pathways. Additionally, metabolomics was used to uncover differential metabolites significantly related to inflammatory markers, helping to clarify how KFXYS exerts its therapeutic effects.
Who was studied?
The research involved female Sprague Dawley rats experimentally induced with CPID by implanting infectious materials. The rats were divided into several groups: normal, sham-operated, untreated CPID model, and KFXYS-treated groups. Blood and serum samples from these rats provided data for identifying absorbed chemical components and analyzing changes in metabolic profiles following treatment. By comparing inflammatory indicators such as interleukin levels and metabolic alterations, the study sought to understand KFXYS’s effects at both biochemical and molecular levels.
What were the most important findings?
The study discovered significant therapeutic effects of KFXYS on CPID through multiple interconnected metabolic and molecular pathways. Treatment with KFXYS substantially reduced inflammation indicators, notably interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Several key metabolites showed significant correlations with inflammation, particularly Leukotriene A4, 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid, Ornithine, Arginine, and specific phosphatidylcholine compounds. These metabolites were involved in critical pathways such as arginine and proline metabolism and glutathione metabolism. Network pharmacology further identified specific targets, including Arginase-1 (ARG1), nitric oxide synthases (NOS2 and NOS3), monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), and glutathione-related enzymes (GSTM1, GSTP1, and GSR), that KFXYS regulated to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Components identified with good absorption and pharmacokinetics included matrine, sophocarpine, aloin, esculetin, and various flavonoid glucuronides, strongly suggesting these compounds contributed to the therapeutic effect.
What are the greatest implications of this study?
The implications of this research are profound for clinicians interested in novel, integrative treatments for CPID. The study clearly demonstrates how KFXYS, a multi-component herbal preparation, effectively reduces pelvic inflammation by modulating key metabolic and inflammatory pathways. These findings suggest significant potential for KFXYS as an alternative or complementary therapy to conventional antibiotics, particularly in the face of antibiotic resistance and associated side effects. Clinically, this approach could guide personalized treatment strategies and encourage further exploration of herbal and natural products through metabolomics and network pharmacology methods. The study underscores the importance of targeting multiple inflammatory and metabolic pathways to achieve comprehensive therapeutic outcomes in chronic inflammatory diseases like CPID.