Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41693971›Full record

ArticleWorld journal of gastroenterology2026

Danggui-Baishao herb pair protects against dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis by modulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Tian Xu, Wei-Xin Hou, Sun-Ting Yang, Yu-Pei Shao, Jing Wang, Tao-Tao Han, Jing-Nan Li

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in World journal of gastroenterology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Tian XuDepartment of Gastroenterology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China.
Wei-Xin HouDepartment of Gastroenterology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China.
Sun-Ting YangDepartment of Gastroenterology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China.
Yu-Pei ShaoDepartment of Gastroenterology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China.
Jing WangDepartment of Gastroenterology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China.
Tao-Tao HanDepartment of Gastroenterology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China.
Jing-Nan LiDepartment of Gastroenterology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China. jnli2020@126.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe Danggui-Baishao herb pair is the foundation of a traditional Chinese medicine formula known as Shaoyao decoction, which is widely used in the treatment of colitis.

aimTo uncover the mechanisms underlying the anti-colitis effects of the Danggui-Baishao herb pair.

methodsThe chemical composition of the herb pair was characterized by high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time of flight mass spectrometry analysis. A mouse model of colitis was induced by administering 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium. The therapeutic effects of the herb pair were evaluated based on body weight changes, colon length, histopathological, intestinal inflammation, and barrier function. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, RNA sequencing, metabolomics, 16S rRNA sequencing, metagenomics, and the β-catenin inhibitor ICG-001 were utilized. Furthermore, molecular docking and dextran sulfate sodium-treated HCT 116 cells were conducted to explore the protective mechanisms of benzoylpaeoniflorin.

resultsThe herb pair improved body weight, colon length, intestinal inflammation, and barrier function. Additionally, the herb pair upregulated the expression of intestinal stem cells marker leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5 and proliferation-related proteins. RNA sequencing analysis showed that the herb pair activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Metabolomic analysis revealed changes in bile acids composition. Through 16S rRNA and metagenomic sequencing, it was observed that the herb pair modulated the gut microbiota, with an enrichment of probiotics and a depletion of pathogenic bacteria. Following intraperitoneal injection of antagonist ICG-001, the therapeutic efficacy was diminished. Molecular docking showed that benzoylpaeoniflorin can bind to β-catenin. Furthermore, benzoylpaeoniflorin can activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and the therapeutic efficacy was also diminished by the ICG-001

conclusionThe herb pair effectively reduces colonic inflammation and maintains the integrity of the intestinal barrier. Moreover, the anti-colitis efficacy of the herb pair is closely associated with activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Indexed as

ColitisDrugs, Chinese HerbalWnt Signaling PathwayAnimalsbeta CateninColonDextran SulfateDisease Models, AnimalGastrointestinal MicrobiomeHCT116 CellsHumansIntestinal Barrier FunctionIntestinal MucosaMaleMiceMolecular Docking Simulationbeta CateninDextran SulfateDrugs, Chinese HerbalBenzoylpaeoniflorinBile acidsDanggui-Baishao herb pairGut microbiotaIntestinal barrierUlcerative colitisWnt/β-catenin pathway

Identifiers

PMID41693971
PMCPMC12898517

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Registered trials

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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.