Systems pharmacology approach reveals protective mechanisms of Jian-Pi Qing-Chang decoction on ulcerative colitis

Figure 3 Jian-Pi Qing-Chang inhibits the HIF-1α signalling pathway in dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis mice. A: The animal experimental flow. An experimental colitis model was induced by administration of 3.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for 7 d in male C57BL/6 mice. Normal saline or Jian-Pi Qing-Chang (JPQC) (15 g/kg/d) was given intragastrically daily for the control/DSS groups and JPQC group, respectively. n = 7-10; B and C: The body weight and disease activity index scores were gauged every day; D: The length of colons and statistical graph; E: Haematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining for TNF-α; F and G: Serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-1β were measured by ELISA; H: The relative mRNA expression in colon tissues was measured by PCR; I-K: The relative protein expression in colon tissues was measured by Western blot; L: Immunofluorescence staining for HIF-1α in colon tissues. Data are presented as the mean ± SD. ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01, ^cP < 0.001. JPQC: Jian-Pi Qing-Chang; DSS: Dextran sulfate sodium.