Mechanistic Study on the Restoration of Intestinal Barrier Integrity and Alleviation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease by Rhynchophylline via the AhR-NR4A1 Pathway

Restoring intestinal barrier function is considered an effective strategy for the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Rhynchophylline (Rhy), a bioactive alkaloid sourced from the traditional herbs Uncariarhynchophylla used in Chinese medicine, is known for its antihypertensive, anti-asthmatic, and antitumor properties. This study explores the pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of Rhy in treating IBD. Overall design: In vitro cell inflammation injury model was established, and the inflammatory factors, cell permeability, cell proliferation, and intercellular tight junction protein expression were measured after Rhy intervention, which verified the anti-inflammatory activity and enhancement of intestinal barrier function of Rhy. In vivo animal model of acute and chronic colitis was established, and Rhy was administered orally at three dose levels to evaluate the protective effects of Rhy on acute and chronic colitis in animals. The signaling pathways that enhance the intestinal barrier function of Rhy were identified through transcriptomics, gene knockout techniques, and molecular dynamics simulations.