[Asthma-alleviating effects of Poria cocos based on network pharmacology and gut microbiota].

Poria cocos reduced cough frequency and improved lung function in OVA-sensitized asthmatic mice.

• Male Balb/c mice were used in the study, divided into normal, model, positive control, and three P. cocos dose groups.
• Doses tested were low (0.057 g·kg⁻¹), medium (0.114 g·kg⁻¹), and high (0.227 g·kg⁻¹).
• The positive control was montelukast sodium at 1.5 mg·kg⁻¹.
• Cough and wheezing indices were measured as outcome variables.
• Lung function assessment was included as part of the outcome measures.

Poria cocos alleviated pathological damage in lung tissue of asthmatic mice as observed by HE and Masson staining.

• Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess general lung tissue pathology.
• Masson staining was used to assess fibrosis and airway remodeling.
• qRT-PCR was used to detect airway inflammation- and remodeling-related mRNA levels in lung tissue.
• Pathological changes were induced by OVA sensitization via intraperitoneal injection combined with nebulization.

Poria cocos decreased serum IgE and IL-4 levels while increasing IL-10 and IFN-γ levels in asthmatic mice.

• Serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured as asthma characteristic indicators.
• Decreased IgE and IL-4 indicate suppression of Th2-driven allergic immune responses.
• Increased IL-10 and IFN-γ suggest promotion of immune homeostasis and Th1/regulatory responses.
• These changes collectively indicate P. cocos maintained immune homeostasis.

Poria cocos multi-target regulated inflammatory factors in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

• Levels of 12 inflammatory factors were detected in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) using a multiplex assay.
• Network pharmacology analysis predicted that P. cocos exerts its asthma-alleviating effects via inflammation regulation pathways.
• The multi-target regulation was identified as a mechanism for maintaining immune homeostasis.

Poria cocos effectively alleviated gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by OVA sensitization in asthmatic mice.

• Gut microbiota composition was assessed using 16S rRNA sequencing.
• P. cocos significantly downregulated Muribaculum intestinale and Alistipes inops.
• Correlation analysis revealed that both M. intestinale and A. inops were positively correlated with pro-inflammatory factors.
• OVA sensitization induced gut microbiota dysbiosis that P. cocos treatment was able to reverse.

P. cocos is speculated to restore intestinal microecological homeostasis by reducing M. intestinale and A. inops levels, thereby decreasing pro-inflammatory factor production and blocking the inflammatory cascade.

• The proposed mechanism links gut microbiota modulation to systemic anti-inflammatory effects.
• Reduction of M. intestinale and A. inops was associated with decreased pro-inflammatory factor levels.
• The authors speculate this mechanism blocks the inflammatory cascade and thereby exerts asthma-alleviating effects.
• This represents a gut-lung axis mechanism for P. cocos activity.

An OVA-sensitized asthma model was established in male Balb/c mice using intraperitoneal injection combined with nebulization.

• All groups except normal were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA).
• Sensitization involved both intraperitoneal injection and nebulization to establish the asthma model.
• Six experimental groups were used: normal, model, positive control (montelukast sodium 1.5 mg·kg⁻¹), and three P. cocos dose groups.
• Network pharmacology and GM 16S rRNA sequencing were used alongside conventional pharmacological endpoints to analyze mechanisms.