Chebulagic acid inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced endometritis by regulating mitogen-activated protein kinase/nuclear factor-κB signaling

Abstract

This study investigates the potential protective effects of chebulagic acid (CA) against endometritis and its underlying molecular mechanisms. Network pharmacology analysis identified 19 potential targets of CA related to endometritis, mainly associated with the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. Molecular docking analysis further indicated that MAPK14 and MAPK3 are critical targets of CA, suggesting its potential role in modulating inflammatory responses. In vitro experiments demonstrated that CA at concentrations of 12.5, 25, and 50 µg/mL significantly inhibited the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated bovine endometrial epithelial cells (bEECs), without affecting cell viability. In vivo, CA treatment mitigated uterine inflammation in an LPS-induced mouse model of endometritis by downregulating high-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) expression and inhibiting the phosphorylation of key signaling molecules, including p65, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and p38. These findings suggest that CA exerts significant anti-inflammatory effects in endometritis by modulating the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway. Given its potential to suppress excessive inflammatory responses, CA may serve as a promising candidate for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for endometritis.