2. Academic Validation
  3. Peoniflorin Alleviates Corticotropin-Releasing Factor-Induced Irritable Bowel Syndrome by Improving the Intestinal Barrier Function through the Inhibition of the CRFR1/ROCK2/MLC Signaling Pathway

Peoniflorin Alleviates Corticotropin-Releasing Factor-Induced Irritable Bowel Syndrome by Improving the Intestinal Barrier Function through the Inhibition of the CRFR1/ROCK2/MLC Signaling Pathway

  • J Agric Food Chem. 2026 Jan 28;74(3):2560-2573. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5c10339.
Rijuan Jin 1,  Zhanyi Zhou 2,  Yijie Lou 3,  Xi Wang 1,  Bin Lv 1,  Zhe Chen 1 3,  Lina Meng 1,  Meng Li 1
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Key Laboratory of Digestive Pathophysiology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310053, China.
  • 2 The First School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310051, China.
  • 3 The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou 310053, China.
PMID: 41550014 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5c10339
Abstract

Using paeoniflorin is a promising strategy for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) therapy due to its natural origin and pharmacological activity. This study explored its therapeutic effects and mechanisms in corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-induced IBS models. In vitro, CRF disrupted tight junction (TJ) in T84 cells via the CRFR1/ROCK2/MLC pathway, downregulating occludin and claudin-1. Paeoniflorin targeted CRFR1, inhibited ROCK2 and MLC phosphorylation, and restored TJ integrity. In vivo, paeoniflorin alleviated anxiety-like behaviors and visceral hypersensitivity in CRF-induced IBS mice, reduced FITC-dextran levels, enhanced goblet cell mucus secretion, and improved intestinal permeability. It also upregulated occludin and claudin-1, restored TJ structure, and modulated the CRFR1/ROCK2/MLC pathway. These findings suggest paeoniflorin as a potential therapeutic agent for IBS-related intestinal barrier dysfunction.

Keywords

CRF; CRFR1/ROCK2/MLC pathway; IBS; TJ; intestinal barrier function; paeoniflorin.

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