Mechanism of Qijiao Tiaojing granules for treatment of intrauterine device-induced prolonged menstrual bleeding
Chen Weiyang
Xiang Mei
Zhang Lina
Cui Pengfei
Tao Wenting
Zhang Feng
Sun Liying
Abstract：Objective To investigate the mechanism of action by which Qijiao Tiaojing granules treat prolonged menstrual bleeding caused by intrauterine devices(IUDs).Methods Network pharmacology was used to screen the active components and potential targets of Qijiao Tiaojing granules;molecular docking was performed to validate interactions between key com-ponents and core targets(matrix metalloproteinase-9[MMP9]and tumor necrosis factor-α[TNF-α]).The effects of drug-containing serum on cell viability and on TNF-α and MMP9 expression were examined by isolating endometrial stromal cells from IUD patients.Results Network pharmacology analysis indicates that Qijiao Tiaojing granules acted on 10 core targets,including AKT1,TNF,and MMP9,and modulate signaling pathways,such as IL-17,TNF,and p53,to treat IUD-induced prolonged menstrual bleeding.Molecular docking confirmed that active ingredients luteolin and quercetin have high binding affinities to TNF-α and MMP9.Cell experiments showed that 20％Qijiao Tiaojing granules-containing serum significantly upregulated MMP9 expression(P＜0.05)and downregulated TNF-α secretion(P＜0.05),without marked cytotoxicity.Conclusion Qijiao Tiaojing granules exert therapeutic effects by multi-component,multi-target synergistic actions,regula-ting MMP9 and TNF-α expression to promote endometrial repair and relieve inflammation,providing a scientific basis for clinical application.
Keywords：Qijiao Tiaojing granulesIntrauterine deviceProlonged menstrual bleedingNetwork pharmacologyTumor necrosis factor-αMatrix metalloproteinase-9Molecular docking
Publication Date：2025-11-20
Online Publishing Date：2026-03-13(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：10( 128-137 )