Objective To explore the mechanism of Lvjiao Buxue Granules (驴胶补血颗粒) in improving postpartum qi and blood deficiency model rats based on spleen transcriptomics. Methods Rats 24 h postpartum were subjected to continuous two weeks weight-bearing swimming combined with orbital bloodletting to establish a postpartum qi and blood deficiency model. After successful modeling, they were randomly divided into model group, Lvjiao Buxue Granules low-, medium-, high-dose (0.84, 1.68, 3.36 g/kg) groups and Danggui Buxue Pills (当归补血丸, 1.89 g/kg) group. Rats 24 h postpartum were also selected as the control group. After two weeks of drug intervention, the comprehensive evaluation of the improvement effect of Lvjiao Buxue Granules on postpartum qi and blood deficiency symptoms in model rats was conducted through qi deficiency score, blood deficiency score, blood routine index, immune organ index, immune inflammation index and other indicators. Through transcriptome analysis, the effects of Lvjiao Buxue Granules intervention on differentially expressed genes and related signaling pathways in spleen of rats were explored. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were used to verify the protein and gene expressions in key signaling pathways. Results Lvjiao Buxue Granules could significantly improve qi deficiency score, blood deficiency score and blood routine indicators of postpartum qi and blood deficiency model rats (P < 0.05, 0.01), reduce inflammation related indicators such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in serum (P < 0.05, 0.01), increase immune regulation related indicators such as immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgG and IgM levels (P < 0.05, 0.01), and inhibit the expressions of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway related proteins and genes in spleen tissue (P < 0.05, 0.01, 0.001). Conclusion Lvjiao Buxue Granules can improve the symptoms of postpartum qi and blood deficiency in rats by inhibiting the phosphorylation of MAPK pathway, regulating the immune function of body and reducing the occurrence of inflammatory reactions.

Lvjiao Buxue Granules  /  postpartum qi and blood deficiency  /  transcriptomics  /  MAPK signal pathway  /  immune function  /  inflammatory response