A traditional botanical formula attenuates acute pharyngitis in mice through anti-inflammatory and anti-staphylococcal activities

Introduction Acute pharyngitis is a common upper respiratory tract infectious disease worldwide. The increasing prevalence of multidrug‑resistant pathogens, particularly methicillin‑resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), greatly hinders clinical treatment and predisposes patients to recurrent and persistent inflammation. Consequently, there is an urgent need for safe and effective alternative therapeutic agents. Methods This research focused on examining the protective effects of a traditional sore‑throat composite phytoextract (TSCP) formulated from edible medicinal natural ingredients, while also investigating its underlying mechanisms. An ammonia‑induced acute pharyngitis murine model was employed. Network pharmacology was used to screen potential bioactive components and key therapeutic targets, followed by the molecular biological validation. In vitro assays assessed the antibacterial and anti‑biofilm activities of TSCP. Results and discussion TSCP dose‑dependently ameliorated abnormal behavioral manifestations, alleviated pharyngeal histopathological injury, and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in the model mice. Network pharmacology identified 22 potential bioactive components and 174 key therapeutic targets, which were mainly enriched in the PI3K/AKT and NF‑κB signaling pathways. Subsequent molecular validation confirmed that TSCP modulated the PI3K/AKT/NF‑κB signaling axis and significantly downregulated the downstream inflammatory mediators iNOS, COX‑2, and IL‑6. Hematological results showed that TSCP decreased peripheral leukocyte, lymphocyte, and neutrophil levels, indicating a favorable systemic anti‑inflammatory effect. In vitro antimicrobial assays demonstrated that TSCP exhibited broad‑spectrum activity against S. aureus , MRSA, and E. coli with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 32, 64, and 256 μg/mL, respectively; and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for each strain was twice its corresponding MIC. TSCP also concentration‑dependently inhibited bacterial adhesion, disrupted cell membrane integrity, and destroyed biofilm microstructure. Collectively, TSCP exerts prominent protective effects against acute pharyngitis through dual mechanisms: suppression of the inflammatory response via the PI3K/AKT/NF‑κB pathway, and direct broad‑spectrum antibacterial and anti‑biofilm activities in vitro . This study provides solid experimental evidence supporting the modern application of the compound herbal preparation TSCP, suggesting that TSCP is a promising candidate for the prevention and adjunctive treatment of drug‑resistant bacteria‑associated acute pharyngitis.