Jianpi Qingchang decoction regulates intestinal motility of dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis through reducing autophagy of interstitial cells of Cajal.

Aim: To investigate the underlying effect of Jianpi Qingchang decoction (JQD) regulating intestinal motility of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice.

Methods: C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups: the control group, the DSS group, the JQD group, and the 5-aminosalicylic acid group. Except for the control group, colitis was induced in other groups by giving distilled water containing 5% DSS. Seven days after modeling, the mice were administered corresponding drugs intragastrically. The mice were sacrificed on the 15 day. The disease activity index, macroscopic and histopathologic lesions, and ultrastructure of colon interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) were observed. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-10 and interferon gamma (IFN-γ), the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65, c-kit, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3-II) and Beclin-l mRNA, and the colonic smooth muscle tension were assessed.

Results: Acute inflammation occurred in the mice administered DSS. Compared with the control group, the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10 and IFN-γ, the expression of LC3-II, Beclin-1 and NF-κB p65 mRNA, and the contractile frequency increased ( < 0.05), the expression of c-kit mRNA and the colonic smooth muscle contractile amplitude decreased in the DSS group ( < 0.05). Compared with the DSS group, the levels of IL-10 and IFN-γ, the expression of c-kit mRNA, and the colonic smooth muscle contractile amplitude increased ( < 0.05), the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β, the expression of LC3-II, Beclin-1 and NF-κB p65 mRNA, and the contractile frequency decreased in the JQD group ( < 0.05).

Conclusion: JQD can regulate the intestinal motility of DSS-induced colitis in mice through suppressing intestinal inflammatory cascade reaction, reducing autophagy of ICC, and regulating the network path of ICC/smooth muscle cells.