Efficacy and Mechanisms of Duhuo Jisheng Decoction in Treating Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: A Network Pharmacology and Experimental Study.

Researchers investigated how Duhuo Jisheng decoction (DHJSD), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, may help treat intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), the primary cause of low back pain. The study combined laboratory cell research, computer modeling, and animal testing to understand how this herbal treatment works. Scientists treated nucleus pulposus cells (the gel-like center of spinal discs) under pressure conditions that simulate disc degeneration. They found that DHJSD-containing serum significantly improved cell survival and reduced inflammatory markers that contribute to disc breakdown. The herbal formula worked by promoting a cellular cleanup process called mitophagy, which removes damaged mitochondria and reduces harmful inflammation. This helped preserve the balance of proteins that maintain healthy disc structure, including collagen II and aggrecan, while decreasing enzymes that break down disc tissue. Using network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques, researchers identified HIF-1α as a key target protein through which DHJSD likely exerts its protective effects. Animal studies using rats confirmed these laboratory findings, showing that DHJSD delayed the progression of disc degeneration through multiple imaging and tissue analysis methods. This research provides scientific evidence for how this traditional herbal formula may protect spinal discs from degeneration by reducing inflammation and maintaining the structural integrity of disc cells. While this study shows promising results, patients interested in herbal treatments for back pain should consult with a qualified, licensed acupuncturist or integrative medicine practitioner to discuss appropriate treatment options.

This study investigated the mechanisms by which Duhuo Jisheng decoction (DHJSD) treats intervertebral disc degeneration using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro/in vivo validation. Nucleus pulposus cells under pressure were treated with 20% DHJSD-containing serum for 24 hours (optimal dosing parameters). Results demonstrated significant downregulation of NLRP3 inflammasome components (NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1β) and matrix-degrading enzymes (MMP-3, MMP-13, Adamts-4), with concurrent upregulation of matrix proteins (collagen II, aggrecan, Sox-9) and mitophagy markers (PINK1, Parkin, LC3). Mitophagy inhibition with cyclosporine A abolished DHJSD's protective effects, confirming mechanism dependency. Network pharmacology identified HIF-1α as the key molecular target. Rat tail acupuncture IDD models corroborated in vitro findings through imaging, histopathology, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. DHJSD demonstrates therapeutic potential by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation and extracellular matrix imbalance via mitophagy induction, potentially mediated through HIF-1α signaling pathway activation and mitochondrial homeostasis preservation.