Wumei Wan attenuates angiogenesis and inflammation by modulating RAGE signaling pathway in IBD: Network pharmacology analysis and experimental evidence

Through network analysis, 104 active ingredients were obtained from WMW, and 47 of these ingredients had potential targets for UC. A total of 41 potential targets of WMW and 13 hub targets were identified. KEGG analysis showed that WMW involved in advanced glycation end products-receptor of advanced glycation end products (AGE-RAGE) signaling pathway. Taxifolin, rutaecarpine, kaempferol, quercetin, and luteolin of WMW were the more highly predictive components related to the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway. In vivo validation, WMW improved DSS-induced colitis, reduced the expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Notably, it significantly decreased the mRNA expression of Spp1, Serpine1, Mmp2, Mmp9, Ptgs2, Nos2, Kdr and Icam1, which were associated with angiogenesis. In addition, we confirmed WMW inhibited RAGE expression and diminished DSS-induced epithelial barrier alterations CONCLUSION: Our results initially demonstrated the effective components and the strong anti-angiogenic activity of WMW in experimental chronic colitis. Sufficient evidence of the satisfactory anti-colitis action of WMW was verified in this study, suggesting its potential as a quite prospective agent for the therapy of UC.