Therapeutic Effects of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Root Aqueous Extract Against COPD in Mice: An Integrated Analysis of Gut Microbiota, Metabolomics, Network Pharmacology, and Molecular Docking
Abstract
Abstract Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Fisch. ex DC (GU) is a traditional medicinal plant widely used as a dietary supplement for the management of various diseases. Although previous studies have reported the pharmacological activities of GU and its bioactive constituents, its potential effects on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of wild GU root aqueous extract in a mouse model of COPD by integrating pharmacodynamic evaluation with gut microbiota analysis, metabolomics, network pharmacology, and molecular docking. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed through body weight, pulmonary function, lung histopathology, and serum inflammatory cytokine levels. Alterations in gut microbiota were analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing, while metabolomics was performed to identify metabolites associated with GU treatment. Network pharmacology was used to predict potential therapeutic targets and signaling pathways, and molecular docking was conducted to evaluate the binding affinity between representative compounds and predicted target proteins. GU treatment significantly improved pulmonary function, attenuated lung inflammation, and restored the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota in COPD mice. Metabolomic analysis showed that GU treatment was associated with alterations in metabolic pathways, including phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, phenylalanine…
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Evidence Hub reads this as a preprint, done in animal and computer models (in silico), not in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.
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