Chemical Constituents of the Alpine Bistort Rhizome and Network Pharmacology Study on Its Anti-diarrheal Effects

Authors

  • Chao Zhang Dongguan HEC Cordyceps R&D Co., Ltd., 523871 Dongguan, Guangdong, China; Yichang Shanchengshuidu Cordyceps Co., Ltd., 443000 Yichang, Hubei, China Author
  • Mengqi Wu Dongguan HEC Cordyceps R&D Co., Ltd., 523871 Dongguan, Guangdong, China; Yichang Shanchengshuidu Cordyceps Co., Ltd., 443000 Yichang, Hubei, China Author
  • Qi Huang Dongguan HEC Cordyceps R&D Co., Ltd., 523871 Dongguan, Guangdong, China Author
  • Jiasheng Xie Guangdong Mige Sunshine Technology Co. Ltd., 510700 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China Author
  • Zhuobin He Dongguan HEC Cordyceps R&D Co., Ltd., 523871 Dongguan, Guangdong, China Author
  • Weiqi Yang Dongguan HEC Cordyceps R&D Co., Ltd., 523871 Dongguan, Guangdong, China Author
  • Jiaqi Fang Dongguan HEC Cordyceps R&D Co., Ltd., 523871 Dongguan, Guangdong, China Author
  • Xiaoqian Shen Dongguan HEC Cordyceps R&D Co., Ltd., 523871 Dongguan, Guangdong, China Author
  • Zhengming Qian Dongguan HEC Cordyceps R&D Co., Ltd., 523871 Dongguan, Guangdong, China; Yichang Shanchengshuidu Cordyceps Co., Ltd., 443000 Yichang, Hubei, China Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62767/jecacm701.1819

Keywords:

alpine bistort rhizome, chemical composition, diarrhea, network pharmacology, molecular docking

Abstract

To systematically analyze the antidiarrheal active components and potential mechanisms in the rhizome of alpine bistort (Bistorta vivipara (L.) Gray). This study separated and identified 9 categories of chemical components in the alpine bistort  rhizome employing methods such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), high-performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light scattering detection (HPLC-ELSD), high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), etc. A total of 126 chemical components were identified from the samples of alpine bistort rhizome, including 4 polysaccharides, 6 monosaccharides that compose polysaccharides, 3 free sugars, 17 amino acids, 3 nucleosides, 2 sterols, 14 organic acids, 21 flavonoids, 2 glycosides, 1 Sugar-conjugated polymer, 34 volatile components, and 19 elements.The main chemical components, targets, and potential signaling pathways of alpine bistort rhizome for preventing diarrhea were screened using network pharmacology methods, and molecular docking was performed on key compounds and targets. The results showed that 50 active components in alpine bistort rhizome could regulate the Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) signaling pathway, lipid and atherosclerosis , Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase-Protein Kinase B (PI3K-Akt) signaling pathway and Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway by acting on 227 target points, thus exerting the anti-diarrhea effect. The molecular docking results revealed that the core targets Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3), Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), TNF, Heat shock protein 90kDa alpha (cytosolic), class A member 1 (HSP90AA1), and Recombinant Caspase 3 (CASP3) exhibited good binding ability with the active compounds.This study preliminarily elucidated the pharmacological basis of the rhizome of alpine bistort and its potential mechanism, providing a scientific foundation for its clinical application and quality control.

References

Mühlmann O, Bacher M, Peintner, U. Polygonum viviparum mycobionts on an alpine primary successional glacier forefront. Mycorrhiza 2018; 18: 87–95.

He H, Tang C, Cao Z, et al. Revealing Medicinal Constituents of Bistorta vivipara Based on Non-Targeted Metabolomics and 16S rDNA Gene Sequencing Technology. Molecules 2024; 29(4): 860.

Fan DM, Yang YP. Altitudinal variations in flower and bulbil production of an alpine perennial, Polygonum viviparum L. (Polygonaceae). Plant Biology 2009; 11(3): 493–497.

Liu GQ, Cao L, Han RC. Plant quercetin degradation by gut bacterium Raoultella terrigena of ghost moth Thitarodes xiaojinensis. Frontiers In Microbiology 2022; 13: 1079550.

Zhou XW, Li LJ, Tian EW. Advances in research of the artificial cultivation of Ophiocordyceps sinensis in China. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology‌ 2014; 34: 233–243.

Qian ZM, Yang WQ, Chen BY, et al. Comprehensive comparative evaluation of bioactive compound and antioxidant capacity in different parts of alpine bistort. Food Chemistry 2026; 499: 147288.

Zhang CX, Li YL, Hu FZ. Studies on the chemical constituents from herba Polygonum viviparum L. Natural Product Research and Development 2005; 17: 177-178.

Vysochina GI, Voronkova MS. Flavonoids of Bistorta vivipara (L.) delarbre in relation to their ecological role. Contemporary Problems of Ecology 2013; 6(4): 426–433 .

Cheng HW, Lee KC, Cheah KP, et al. Polygonum viviparum L. inhibits the lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in RAW264.7 macrophages through haem oxygenase-1 induction and activation of the Nrf2 pathway. Journal of The Science of Food And Agriculture 2013; 93(3): 491-497.

Chang ML, Chang JS, Yu WY, et al. Polygonum viviparum L. induces vasorelaxation in the rat thoracic aorta via activation of nitric oxide synthase in endothelial cells. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2014; 14: 150–158.

Qian ZM, Cheng XJ, Wang Q, et al. On-line pre-column FRAP-based antioxidant reaction coupled with HPLC-DAD-TOF/MS for rapid screening of natural antioxidants from different parts of Polygonum viviparum. RSC Advances 2023; 13(14): 9585-9594.

Bhattacharjee S, Siyad I, Maramattom BV. Chronic diarrhea-the poetic masquerade. Journal of Postgrad Medicine 2022; 68(4): 239-242.

Han XY, Liu DF, Guo WS, et al. Clinical study on Zhuyaliao Zhixie Granules combined with Saccharomyces boulardii Sachets in treatment of children with functional diarrhea. Drugs & Clinic 2020; 35(9): 1826-1830.

Yu GS, Li CG, Lao HM, et al. Qingchang Zhixie San Application on the Umbilicus Combined with Oral Administration of Zhuyaliao Zhixie Keli for Treating Children's Rotaviral Enteronitis. Chinese Journal of Coloproctology 2016; 36(5): 40-42.

Kuang P. Clinical Study on the Treatment of Infantile Diarrhea with Zhuyaliao Zhixie Granules. Journal of Li-shizhen Traditional Chinese Medicine 2015; 26(4): 925.

Hu LP, He ZB, Chen BY, et al. A simple, rapid, and green method for determination of three flavonoids in alpine bistort rhizome and Zhuyaliao Zhixie Granules by LC-MS/MS. Journal of Liquid Chromatography & Related Technologies 2025; online, 1–11.

Li S, Zhang B. Traditional Chinese medicine network pharmacology: Theory, methodology and application. Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines 2013; 11: 110–120.

Wang X, Wang ZY, Zheng JH, et al. TCM network pharmacology: a new trend towards combining computational, experimental and clinical approaches. Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines 2021; 19 (1): 1–11.

Jiao X, Jin X, Ma Y, et al. A comprehensive application: molecular docking and network pharmacology for the prediction of bioactive constituents and elucidation of mechanisms of action in component-based Chinese medicine. Computational Biology and Chemistry 2021; 90: 107402.

Hong M, Li S, Tan HY. et al. A network-based pharmacology study of the herb-induced liver injury potential of traditional hepatoprotective chinese herbal medicines. Molecules 2017; 22(4): 632.

Zhang JY, Chen YR,Tang YC. et al. Quality differentiation of Epimedium from different harvesting periods based on LC-MS and network pharmacology. New Journal of Chemistry 2024; 48: 9020-9029.

Xiang LI, Liu ZQ, Liao J, et al. Network pharmacology approaches for research of traditional chinese medicines. Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines 2023; 21(5): 323-332.

Daina A, Michielin O, Zoete V. SwissADME: a free web tool to evaluate pharmacokinetics, drug-likeness and medicinal chemistry friendliness of small molecules. Scientific Report 2017; 7: 42717.

Xing N, Qin J, Ren DS, et al. Integrating UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/MS, network pharmacology and experimental validation to reveal the potential mechanism of Tibetan medicine Rhodiola granules in improving myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2023; 314: 116572.

Zhang LX, Dong J, Wei H, et al. TCMSID: a simplified integrated database for drug discovery from traditional Chinese medicine. Journal of Cheminformatics 2022; 14(1): 89.

BI XY, Wang YY, Wang JH, et al. Machine learning for multi-Target drug discovery: challenges and opportunities in systems pharmacology. Pharmaceutics 2025; 17(9): 1186.

DAINA A, MICHIELIN O, ZOETE V. SwissTargetPrediction: updated data and new features for efficient prediction of protein targets of small molecules. Nucleic Acids Research 2019; 47(1): 357-364.

Liu ZY, Huang HL, Yu Y, et al. Exploring the potential molecular mechanism of the Shugan Jieyu Capsule in the treatment of depression through network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation. Current Computer-Aided Drug Design 2024; 20(5): 501-517.

Huang Q, Yang WQ, Li XF, et al. Screening of α-Glucosidase Inhibitors in Extracts of Polygonum bistorta Based on Spectrum-Effect Relationship. Journal of Experimental and Clinical Application of Chinese Medicine 2024; 5(4): 69-81.

Man JY, Liu Y, Xing XY, et al. Optimization of Extraction Process of Polysaccharides from Polygonum viviparum L. by Response Surface Methodology. China Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Medicine 2025; 52(3): 1416-1427.

Lu ZH, Wu XL, Liu F. Comparative Analysis of Nutritional Components in Forage of Host Hepialus Larvae of Cordyceps sinensis. Southwest China Journal of Agricultural Sciences 2013; 26(5): 2048-2051

Chen SJ, Zeng W, Yin DH. Analysis of Trace Elements in the Rhizome of Polygonum viviparum . Special Wild Economic Animal and Plant Research 1994; 3: 61-62.

He H, Tang C, Cao Z, et al. Revealing Medicinal Constituents of Bistorta vivipara Based on Non-Targeted Metabolomics and 16S rDNA Gene Sequencing Technology. Molecules 2024; 29(4): 860.

Isken O, Langerwisch U, Schönherr R, et al. Functional characterization of bovine viral diarrhea virus nonstructural protein 5A by reverse genetic analysis and live cell imaging. Journal Of Virology 2014; 88(1): 82-98.

Lee KN, Lee OY. Intestinal microbiota in pathophysiology and management of irritable bowel syndrome.World Journal of Gastroenterology 2014;20( 27): 8886-8897.

Sui XN, Han XB, Wang XB, et al. 2-Nonanol produced by Bacillus velezensis EM-1: a new biocontrol agent against tobacco brown spot. Frontiers in Microbiology 2025; 16: 1582372.

Faubel N, Makran M, Barberá R, et al. Anti-inflammatory activity of plant sterols in a co-culture model of intestinal inflammation: focus on food-matrix effect. Food & Function 2024; 17;15(12): 6502-6511.

Choi JN, Choi YH, Lee JM, et al.Anti-inflammatory effects of beta-sitosterol-beta-D-glucoside from Trachelospermum jasminoides( Apocynaceae) in lipopolysaccharide-stimulatedRAW 264. 7 murine macrophages.‌Natural Product Research 2012; 26( 24) : 2340-2343.

Zhu XY, Qiao TL, Huang ZQ, et al. Caffeic acid improves intestinal barrier function integrity through activation of Nrf2 signaling pathway in weaned piglets and H2O2 induced IPEC-J2 cells. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry 2025; 143:109952.

Su XR, Zhu ZH, Zhang L, et al. Anti-inflammatory property and functional substances of Lonicerae Japonicae Caulis. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2021; 267: 113502.

Jie H, Arianne L. T, Stat3: Friend or Foe in Colitis and Colitis-associated Cancer?. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases 2014; 20(12): 2405-2411.

Ho J, Moyes D L, Tavassoli M, et al. The role of ErbB receptors in infection. Trends Microbiol 2017; 25(11): 942-952.

Bowen J M, Mayo B J, Plews E, et al. Determining themechanisms of lapatinib-induced diarrhoea using a rat model. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2014; 74(3): 617-627.

Darkoh C, Comer L, Zewdie G, et al.Chemotactic chemokines are important in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome.PLoS One 2014; 9( 3): e93144.

Yan S., Li Y. Z., Zhu X. et al. HuGE systematic reviewand meta-analysis demonstrate association of CASP-3 and CASP-7 genetic polymorphisms with cancer risk. Genetics and Molecular Research 2013; 12(2): 1561-1573.

Zheng M, Jia Z, Wang P, et al . Bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation reveal that heat HSP90AA1 enhances intestinal ischemia reperfusion induced necroptosis by inducing phosphorylated MLKL. Scientific Reports 2025; 15(1): 38698.

Liu C, Liu Y, Liang L, et al. RNA-Seq based transcriptome analysis during bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infection. BMC Genomics 2019; 20(1): 774.

Yu T, Wu L, Zhang T, et al. Insights into Q-markers and molecular mechanism of Sanguisorba saponins in treating ulcerative colitis based on lipid metabolism regulation. Phytomedicine 2023; 116: 154870.

Suo XY, Fan GQ, Li B, et al. PEDV infection alters host lipid metabolism. Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2024; 44(06): 1107-1112.

Yin HH, Liu W, Ji XY, et al. Study on the mechanism of Wumei San in treating piglet diarrhea using network pharmacology and molecular docking. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2023; 10: 1138684

Chen MY, Meng XF, Han YP, et al. Profile of crosstalk between glucose and lipid metabolic disturbance and diabetic cardiomyopathy:Inflammation and oxidative stress. Frontiers in Endocrinology 2022; 13: 983713.

NALLI A D, KUMAR D P, MAHAVADI S, et al.Hypercontractility of intestinal longitudinal smooth muscle induced by cytokines is mediated by the nuclear factor-κB/AMPactivated kinase /myosin light chain kinase pathway.Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 2014; 350(1) : 89-98.

Wei H, Xu YX, Qin l, et al. Protective mechanism of HIF-1α on myocardial injury in rats with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion by TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine 2019; 18(10): 1017-1020.

Wang HO, Huang WK, Pan XY, et al. Quzhou Aurantii Fructus Flavonoids Ameliorate Inflammatory Responses, Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction in DSS-Induced Colitis by Modulating PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway and Gut Microbiome. Journal of Inflammation Research 2025; 18: 1855-1874.

Zhan JY, Yuan XX, Wang BY, et al. Effects of Liancao-Xieli capsule on intestinal mucosal inflammatory factors and TLR4/PI3K/Akt/ mTOR signaling pathway in mice with ulcerative colitis. Journal of Hainan Medical University 2021; 27: 1872–1877.

Downloads

Published

2026-03-27

Data Availability Statement

The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

Issue

Section

Original Research

Similar Articles

11-19 of 19

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.