Anti‐Inflammatory Pharmacodynamic Basis and Mechanism of QianLieXin Capsule in Chronic Prostatitis: Insights From Absorbed Components and Network Pharmacology

The aim of this study is to further clarify the material basis and mechanism of the QianLieXin (QLX) capsule. UPLC-Q-MS was employed to identify the active substances absorbed into the blood and prostate. Pharmacological network analysis and anti-inflammatory assays were performed. Twenty principal bioactive compounds of the QLX capsule were identified in the blood and prostate tissues of rats. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses demonstrated 292 potential targets of these active substances relevant to the treatment of chronic prostatitis. Among them, chlorogenic acid, apigenin, kaempferol, isoquercitrin, and ursolic acid were identified as the primary agents exerting anti-inflammatory effects. The principal molecular targets included AKT1, EGFR, PIK3, and MAPK, among others. Key signaling pathways encompassed the neuroligin-receptor interaction pathway as well as lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis-related pathways. Experimental results demonstrated that both the medicated serum and the active substances significantly suppressed lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-1β levels, inhibited the expression of NF-κB protein, and reduced reactive oxygen species production, indicating notable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Furthermore, QLX has a strong binding effect on targets such as EGFR, AKT, and MMP9. Medicated serum was shown to downregulate the EGFR/AKT/MAPK/MMP9 signaling pathways. Our findings clarified the pharmacodynamic substances of the multicomponent QLX capsule and its regulatory mechanism.