Shen-Ling-Bai-Zhu-San alleviates ulcerative colitis by enhancing mitophagy via the Nrf2/PINK1/Parkin pathway.

BACKGROUND

Shen-Ling-Bai-Zhu-San (SLBZS), a classic formula, shows excellent therapeutic effects on ulcerative colitis (UC). However, its pharmacological mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to explore the SLBZS’s mechanism on mitophagy and inflammation in UC. METHOD: The UC rat model was constructed using 4.5% DSS. The in vivo effects of SLBZS on mitophagy and inflammation were investigated by combining the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA. Caco-2 cells were co-treated with DSS and LPS to mimic UC-like inflammatory. The main active components of SLBZS were analyzed by HPLC. Combined with 3-MA or knockdown of Nrf2, the mechanism by which the main active component of SLBZS Ginsenoside Rg1 affected oxidative stress and inflammation was investigated.

RESULTS

SLBZS administration alleviated colonic injury in UC rats, reduced disease activity index, increased colonic length, promoted ZO-1, occludin, LGR5, and MUC-2 expressions, decreased ROS production, MDA level, and TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, and p62 expressions, increased SOD and GSH-PX levels, mitochondrial membrane potential, and PINK1, TOM20, Nrf2, LC3, PINK1, and Parkin levels. 3-MA prevented this phenomenon, indicating that SLBZS inhibited UC inflammation by enhancing mitophagy. The molecular docking results showed that Ginsenoside Rg1 bound to Nrf2. The interaction between Nrf2 and PINK1 was confirmed. Mechanistically, Ginsenoside Rg1 relieved oxidative stress and inflammation in UC-like Caco-2 cell model by Nrf2/PINK1/Parkin pathway-mediated mitophagy.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicated that the Ginsenoside Rg1 promoted Nrf2/PINK1/Parkin pathway-mediated mitophagy, thereby alleviating UC, suggesting that Ginsenoside Rg1 could serve as a promising therapeutic agent for clinical UC, with the Nrf2/ PINK1/Parkin axis representing a potential strategy.