Molecular mechanisms of dragon's blood in treating ulcerative colitis based on NF-κb/NLPR3/Caspase-1 pyroptosis signaling pathway.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To elucidate the molecular mechanism of dragon's blood (DB) in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods

Bioactive metabolites of DB absorbed into the bloodstream were characterized via LC-MS. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were employed to construct a target-pathway interaction model predicting DB's therapeutic mechanism in UC. A 4% DSS-induced UC mouse model was used for experimental validation.

Results

DB markedly alleviated colonic injury in DSS-induced UC. A total of 255 active compounds were identified, including 6,4'-Dimethoxy-7-hydroxyisoflavone, 7-hydroxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl) chromen-4-one, and Apigenin. Key molecular targets included NLPR3, MAPK1, TP53, HIF1A, and PTGS2. The NF-κB/NLPR3/Caspase-1 axis was implicated as a central

SUBMITTER: Cai B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12448351 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature