Integrated serum pharmacochemistry, network pharmacology, and experimental validation analyses reveal the active compounds and potential functional mechanism of Tangningtongluo tablets in treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE: Tangningtongluo Tablets (TNTL), a novel Miao ethnic medicine for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its complications. However, its potential bioactive components and the pharmacological mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects remain unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aims to preliminarily explore the protective effects of TNTL and its active components on pancreatic cells via the PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 pathway and further investigate the underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: LC-MS was employed to identify components in serum, and network pharmacology was used to forecast active components and their mechanisms. The protective effects and mechanisms of TNTL and its active components on pancreatic β-cells in diabetic mice were investigated using HE staining, MTT assay, EdU assay, TUNEL staining, Western blot analysis, and qPCR analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 29 active components of TNTL were detected in rat serum. Network pharmacology results indicated that luteolin, catechin, and chlorogenic acid are key compounds of TNTL in regulating the PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 pathway. Compared with the model group, TNTL and its active components reduced ROS and MDA levels, increased SOD levels, and reduced pro-apoptotic factor expression to alleviate pancreatic β-cells damage. They also activated PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 signaling and decreased apoptotic proteins.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that TNTL mitigates oxidative stress and reduces pancreatic β-cell apoptosis in diabetic mice through modulation of the PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 pathway.