Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40159974›Full record

ArticleNan fang yi ke da xue xue bao = Journal of Southern Medical University2025

[Cimifugin ameliorates Crohn's disease-like colitis in mice by modulating Th-cell immune balance

Lixia Yin, Minzhu Niu, Keni Zhang, Zhijun Geng, Jianguo Hu, Jiangyan Li, Jing Li

Abstract readEnglish Abstract
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Article in Nan fang yi ke da xue xue bao = Journal of Southern Medical University, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Lixia YinDepartment of Clinical Laboratory, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, 233000, China.
Minzhu NiuAnhui Province Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research of Inflammation-Related Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, 233000, China, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, 233000, China.
Keni ZhangDepartment of Clinical Laboratory, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, 233000, China.
Zhijun GengAnhui Province Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research of Inflammation-Related Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, 233000, China, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, 233000, China.
Jianguo HuDepartment of Clinical Laboratory, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, 233000, China.
Jiangyan LiDepartment of Clinical Laboratory, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, 233000, China.
Jing LiDepartment of Clinical Laboratory, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, 233000, China.

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China 81902078
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesTo investigate the therapeutic effects of cimifugin on Crohn's disease (CD)-like colitis in mice and its possible mechanism.

methodsThirty adult male C57BL/6 mice were randomized equally into control group, 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced CD-like colitis model group, and cimifugin treatment (daily gavage at 12.5 mg/kg) group. The therapeutic effect of cimifugin was evaluated by observing changes in body weight, disease activity index (DAI) scores, colon length, histopathological inflammation scores, and inflammatory cytokine levels in the colonic mucosa. Intestinal barrier integrity in the mice was assessed using immunofluorescence assay and Western blotting for claudin-1 and ZO-1; T-helper (Th) cell subset ratios in the mesenteric lymph nodes were analyzed with flow cytometry. Network pharmacology, KEGG enrichment analysis and molecular docking were used to predict the targets of cimifugin and analyze the key pathways and cimifugin-MAPK protein interactions, which were validated by Western blotting in the mouse models.

resultsIn mice with TNBS-induced colitis, cimifugin treatment significantly attenuated body weight loss and colon shortening, lowered DAI and histopathological scores, decreased IFN-γ and IL-17 levels, and increased IL-4 and IL-10 levels in the colonic mucosa. Cimifugin treatment also significantly improved TNBS-induced claudin-1 dislocation and reduction of goblet cells, upregulated claudin-1 and ZO-1 expressions, reduced Th1 and Th17 cell percentages, and increased Th2 and Treg cell percentages in the colonic mucosa of the mice. KEGG analysis suggested a possible connection between the effect of cimifugin and MAPK signaling, and molecular docking showed strong binding affinity between cimifugin and MAPK core proteins. Western blotting demonstrated significantly decreased phosphorylation levels of JNK, ERK, and p38 in the colonic mucosa of cimifugin-treated mouse models.

conclusionsCimifugin alleviates TNBS-induced CD-like colitis by repairing intestinal barrier damage and restoring Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg balance via suppressing MAPK pathway activation.

Indexed as

ColitisCrohn DiseaseMAP Kinase Signaling SystemT-Lymphocytes, Helper-InducerAnimalsDisease Models, AnimalIntestinal MucosaMaleMiceMice, Inbred C57BLTrinitrobenzenesulfonic AcidTrinitrobenzenesulfonic AcidcimifuginCrohn's diseasehelper T cellsimmune homeostasisintestinal barrierMAPK

Identifiers

PMID40159974
PMCPMC11955901

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.