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Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine >

2026 , Vol. 46 >Issue 1: 172 - 182

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2026.01.016

Original Articles

Pinggan Yuyin Qingre formula (平肝育阴清热方) ameliorates meibomian gland dysfunction through the interleukin-17/nuclear factor kappa B pathway based on network pharmacology and experimental validation

  • Yinli GAO ,
  • Linhua ZHANG ,
  • Yaqiang ZHANG ,
  • Liuhe ZHANG ,
  • Nan ZHI ,
  • Haihong LIAN
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  • 1 Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100005, China
    2 Experimental Platform, Beijing Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100010, China
    3 Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100005, China

Received date: 2025-07-09

  Accepted date: 2025-11-10

  Online published: 2026-01-28

Supported by

National Famous and Senior Chinese Medicine Expert Heritage Studio Construction Project: Zhi Nan Heritage Studio(75 [2022]);Beijing Municipal Key Traditional Chinese Medicine Specialty Development Project during the 14th Five-Year Plan Period(BJZKBC0029)

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pharmacological effects and underlying mechanisms of Pinggan Yuyin Qingre formula (平肝育阴清热方, PGYYQR) in the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) through network pharmacology and in vivo validation.

METHODS: A mouse model of MGD was induced using the stearoyl-coenzyme a desaturase 1 inhibitor, followed by PGYYQR treatment for 2 weeks. MGD sign scoring, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, oil red o (ORO) staining, and serum inflammatory cytokine analysis were conducted to assess the effects of PGYYQR on meibomian gland (MG) function, histopathology, and associated inflammation. Network pharmacology was employed to identify the active compounds and potential targets of PGYYQR. Molecular mechanisms were further investigated using Western blotting, reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays.

RESULTS: PGYYQR treatment significantly reduced the scores of MG orifice obstruction and meibum quality in MGD mice. HE and ORO staining further demonstrated that PGYYQR ameliorated glandular damage and lipid dysfunction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results revealed that PGYYQR markedly decreased the serum levels of key inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α. Network pharmacology identified 162 active compounds and 598 target genes in PGYYQR. Among these, IL-6, IL-1β, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 were recognized as core targets related to MGD and were mainly enriched in the IL-17/ nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Further molecular analyses confirmed that PGYYQR significantly inhibited the IL-17/NF-κB axis by downregulating IL-17 expression and reducing phos-phorylated NF-κB p65 levels at both the protein and mRNA levels in MG tissues. PGYYQR also effectively reduced ROS levels in the conjunctival tissues of MGD mice.

CONCLUSION: PGYYQR effectively improves MG function and preserves local tissue morphology in MGD model mice, primarily by suppressing the inflammatory response through coordinated modulation of the IL-17/NF-κB signaling pathway and oxidative stress.

Key words： meibomian gland dysfunction; network pharmacology; interleukin-17; NF-kappa B; signal transduction; reactive oxygen species; Pinggan Yuyin Qingre formula

Cite this article

Yinli GAO , Linhua ZHANG , Yaqiang ZHANG , Liuhe ZHANG , Nan ZHI , Haihong LIAN . Pinggan Yuyin Qingre formula (平肝育阴清热方) ameliorates meibomian gland dysfunction through the interleukin-17/nuclear factor kappa B pathway based on network pharmacology and experimental validation[J]. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2026 , 46(1) : 172 -182 . DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2026.01.016

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