天津中医药  2026, Vol. 43 Issue (7): 937-947

文章信息

董家豪, 陈涛, 余伟杰, 等.
DONG Jiahao, CHEN Tao, YU Weijie, et al.
补肾活血中药调控“肠-骨轴”防治骨质疏松症的系统性机制与通路研究
Systematic mechanisms and pathways of Bushen Huoxue Chinese herbal medicine in regulating the "gut-bone axis" for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis
天津中医药, 2026, 43(7): 937-947
Tianjin Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2026, 43(7): 937-947
http://dx.doi.org/10.11656/j.issn.1672-1519.2026.07.16

文章历史

收稿日期: 2026-05-12
补肾活血中药调控“肠-骨轴”防治骨质疏松症的系统性机制与通路研究
董家豪1 , 陈涛2 , 余伟杰2 , 彭中钰2 , 龙远1 , 夏一锋1     
1. 云南中医药大学第一临床医学院,昆明 650500;
2. 云南省中医医院,昆明 650021
摘要:骨质疏松症是以骨量减少和骨微结构退化为特征的全身性骨病,早期防治具有重要的临床价值。近年来,“肠-骨轴”理论揭示了肠道微生物群通过短链脂肪酸(SCFAs)、免疫调节与内分泌信号等途径调控骨代谢的重要作用,为骨质疏松的防治提供了新思路。中医认为“肾主骨,生髓”,骨质疏松病机以肾虚为本,血瘀为标,临床常用补肾活血中药治疗,疗效明确。文章系统综述了补肾活血中药通过调控“肠-骨轴”治疗骨质疏松的机制,包括修复肠道屏障、调节菌群结构、促进有益代谢物生成、抑制炎症反应与氧化应激,并直接或间接调控Wnt/β-连环蛋白(β-catenin)、骨保护素(OPG)/核因子-κB受体活化因子配体(RANKL)/核因子-κB受体活化因子(RANK)、骨形态发生蛋白(BMP)/Smad等骨代谢关键信号通路,从而协同促进成骨、抑制破骨,恢复骨稳态。研究表明,杜仲、淫羊藿、骨碎补、黄芪等代表性药物具有多成分、多靶点、整体调节的特点。未来应深入开展临床验证、剂型优化及多组学机制研究,进一步推动补肾活血中药在骨质疏松治疗中的现代化与精准化应用。
关键词骨质疏松症    肠-骨轴    补肾活血    中医药    肠道微生物群    

骨质疏松症(OP)是以骨量减少、骨微结构破坏为特征的全身性骨代谢性疾病。随着社会老龄化程度加剧,其患病率持续上升,已成为中国重要的公共卫生问题。流行病学调查显示,中国40岁以上人群OP总体患病率达12.19%,且女性高于男性,骨量减少者更为普遍,防治形势严峻[1-2]。目前常规西药虽可控制病情,但长期使用易导致消化道不适、骨坏死等不良反应,临床仍需更安全有效的防治策略。

近年来,“肠-骨轴”学说为OP的防治提供了新视角。该理论认为肠道微生物群通过短链脂肪酸(SCFAs)代谢、免疫调节、内分泌信号及营养吸收等多途径,系统性调控骨代谢平衡[3-6]。菌群失衡可损伤肠屏障,诱发全身慢性低度炎症,进而激活破骨细胞、加速骨流失[7-9];而益生菌等干预措施则显示出改善骨密度的潜力[10-13]。这表明针对“肠-骨轴”的调控可能是防治OP的新方向。

中医药在防治OP方面积累丰富,强调“肾主骨,生髓”,认为OP以肾虚为本、血瘀为标,治宜补肾活血。现代研究证实,补肾活血中药(如杜仲、淫羊藿、骨碎补等)不仅可直接调控Wnt/β-连环蛋白(β-catenin)、骨保护素(OPG)/核因子-κB(NF-κB)受体活化因子配体(RANKL)/NF-κB受体活化因子(RANK)等成骨与破骨相关通路,还能通过改善肠道菌群构成、修复肠黏膜屏障、增加有益代谢物(如SCFAs)等多种方式,整体调节“肠-骨轴”,从而协同促进骨形成、抑制骨吸收,恢复骨稳态[14-15]。这为揭示中医药治疗OP的多靶点、系统性作用机制提供了新的理论依据。

笔者系统梳理补肾活血中药通过“肠-骨轴”防治OP的研究进展,重点阐述其在调节肠道微生态、干预骨代谢关键信号通路等方面的整合机制(见图 1),以期为中医药现代化防治骨质疏松提供参考,并展望未来的研究方向。

注:图片使用Procreate、Microsoft PowerPoint及Adobe Illustrator 2022绘制。口服补肾活血中药(如杜仲、淫羊藿、骨碎补、黄芪)后,其多类活性成分通过3重维度发挥调节作用:1)修复肠道屏障与微生态:上调紧密连接蛋白[闭锁小带蛋白-1(ZO-1),闭合蛋白(Occludin)],促进益生菌及产丁酸菌增殖,增加SCFAs生成。2)调节系统免疫与炎症:增强调节性T细胞(Treg)功能,抑制促炎因子[如肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α),白细胞介素-6(IL-6)]释放。3)直接与间接调控骨代谢:直接激活成骨细胞的Wnt/β-catenin等通路,并通过肠道来源的SCFAs等代谢物抑制破骨细胞的RANKL/RANK信号,最终协同恢复骨稳态。图中绿色实线箭头表示促进作用,红色钝头线表示抑制作用,灰色虚线箭头表示间接调节或代谢物转运。 图 1 补肾活血中药通过调控“肠-骨轴”防治OP的系统性整合机制 Fig. 1 Systematic integrative mechanisms of Bushen Huoxue Chinese herbal medicine in preventing and treating OP through regulation of the "gut-bone axis"
1 “肠-骨轴”理论与骨代谢调控

肠-骨轴”理论阐释了肠道微生物组、肠道屏障功能及其代谢产物与骨组织之间复杂的双向调控网络,将骨代谢的研究视角从局部扩展至全身性的肠道微环境,为深入理解OP的发病机制提供了新框架。研究表明,OP患者常存在肠道菌群失调,其特征表现为菌群α多样性(如Chao1、Shannon指数)下降,群落结构(β多样性)与健康人群显著不同,具体包括拟杆菌门/厚壁菌门比例失衡以及产丁酸菌数量减少等[16-17]。这种生态紊乱与衰老相关的免疫改变、雌激素缺乏所致的肠黏膜屏障损伤及慢性低度炎症状态密切相关[18-19]

1.1 肠道菌群干扰骨稳态的途径

肠道菌群失衡可通过多重途径干扰骨稳态:其一,菌群失调损伤肠道屏障,导致脂多糖(LPS)等内毒素进入循环,引发全身性低度炎症,进而激活破骨细胞,加速骨吸收;其二,有益菌减少导致SCFAs等有益代谢产物生成不足,SCFAs可通过G蛋白偶联受体(如GPR43/109A)直接作用于骨组织,促进成骨并抑制破骨;其三,菌群紊乱影响免疫细胞分化[如促进辅助性T细胞17(Th17)],增加白细胞介素(IL)-17等促炎因子,刺激RANKL表达,加剧骨吸收。此外,肠道菌群还直接参与矿物质代谢,例如通过某些益生菌增强钙转运蛋白表达、降解植酸以促进钙吸收,而SCFAs可通过降低肠道pH值进一步优化钙磷溶解与吸收效率,形成良性循环[20-21]。菌群还参与维生素D及K2的代谢,间接调控骨基质矿化。

临床研究为该理论提供了有力支持:特定益生菌干预可改善绝经后妇女的骨密度与骨转换指标,而抗生素滥用导致的菌群紊乱则被证实会增加OP风险。由此可见,“肠-骨轴”不仅为OP的防治开辟了新路径,也为阐释中医药多靶点、整体性调控骨代谢的作用机制提供了富有解释力的现代框架。其核心调控途径可归纳见图 2

注:图片使用Procreate、Microsoft PowerPoint及Adobe Illustrator 2022绘制。1)SCFAs途径:菌群发酵纤维产生SCFAs(如丁酸),入血后通过骨细胞上的G蛋白偶联受体(GPCR)直接调控骨代谢。2)免疫调节途径:菌群失调导致屏障受损,LPS等入血引发全身炎症,刺激破骨细胞生成。3)内分泌途径:菌群代谢影响肠道激素[如胰高血糖素样肽-1(GLP-1)]分泌,间接调节IGF-1等骨形成相关激素。4)营养吸收途径:SCFAs降低肠道pH,增强钙离子溶解与转运蛋白表达,促进钙吸收。 图 2 肠道微生物群调控骨代谢的4条核心途径 Fig. 2 Four core pathways of gut microbiota regulating bone metabolism
1.2 肠道代谢物对骨代谢通路的协同整合调控

肠道代谢物对骨代谢的调控并非孤立地作用于单一信号通路,而是通过一个高度协同、相互对话的整合性网络实现的。该网络以SCFAs(尤其是丁酸)及次级胆汁酸等核心肠道代谢物为上游“信使”,同时、序贯或选择性地调节下游多条骨代谢相关通路,并促进通路间的“交叉对话”,最终共同维持骨稳态。

SCFAs作为肠道微生物发酵膳食纤维产生的一类关键代谢产物,近年来在骨代谢调控中展现出多层次、多机制的协同整合作用。其机制涵盖免疫调节、内分泌信号传导、表观遗传修饰以及细胞代谢重编程等多个层面。研究表明,SCFAs(如乙酸、丙酸和丁酸)通过“肠-骨轴”不仅直接调节成骨细胞与破骨细胞的分化平衡,还可通过宿主-微生物互作间接影响骨骼健康[22-23]

在免疫调节层面,SCFAs对骨代谢的影响尤为显著。丁酸可扩散至骨髓微环境,促进调节性T细胞(Tregs)扩增,进而诱导CD8+ T细胞分泌Wnt10b配体,激活Wnt/β-catenin信号通路,从而促进成骨细胞活性并抑制破骨细胞分化[24-25]。同时,SCFAs通过G蛋白偶联受体[如G蛋白偶联受体43(GPR43)、G蛋白偶联受体109A(GPR109A)]介导的免疫调节作用,能够降低促炎细胞因子[如肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)]的释放,减轻炎症性骨丢失[26]。例如,在卵巢切除(OVX)小鼠模型中,补充丙酸与丁酸可显著降低血清炎症标志物水平,并改善骨密度[27]。这些发现凸显了SCFAs在免疫-骨代谢交叉调控中的核心地位。

在内分泌调控方面,SCFAs通过影响多种激素网络间接调节骨代谢。丁酸能够提高外周瘦素(leptin)水平,后者通过下丘脑-交感神经轴参与骨形成调控。此外,SCFAs可促进胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)的分泌,进而通过磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶/蛋白激酶B(PI3K/AKT)通路增强成骨细胞增殖[2426]。值得注意的是,SCFAs还能调节肠道色氨酸代谢,影响血清素5-羟色胺(5-HT)的生物合成;而血清素具有来源依赖性双向调节作用(肠道来源抑制骨形成,中枢来源促进骨形成),从而精细调控骨重塑过程[24-25]。这种多激素通路的协同整合,为SCFAs发挥全身性骨保护效应提供了理论依据。

从细胞代谢与表观遗传视角看,SCFAs可直接通过表观遗传修饰调控骨相关基因表达。丁酸作为组蛋白去乙酰化酶抑制剂(HDACi),能上调成骨细胞中Runt相关转录因子2(Runx2)和Osterix(成骨相关转录因子)等关键转录因子的表达,同时抑制NF-κB信号通路,减少破骨细胞前体分化。体外实验证实,经丁酸处理的骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSCs)向成骨细胞分化的效率显著提升,而破骨细胞标志物抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶(TRAP)的表达则受到抑制[28]。这种靶向明确的表观遗传调控机制,为开发基于SCFAs的精准骨代谢干预策略提供了新思路。

2 补肾活血中药调控“肠-骨轴”的整合机制

补肾活血中药(以杜仲、淫羊藿、骨碎补、黄芪为代表)通过调节“肠-骨轴”恢复骨稳态的核心路径见图 3。口服中药后,其活性成分协同作用于肠道:1)优化菌群结构,促进SCFAs(如丁酸、丙酸)生成。2)上调紧密连接蛋白[闭锁小带蛋白(ZO-1)、闭合蛋白(Occludin)、紧密连接蛋白-1(Claudin-1)],修复肠屏障,减少LPS易位。3)增强调节性T细胞(Treg)功能,抑制促炎因子(TNF-α、IL-6)释放。由此产生的系统性变化(SCFAs入血、炎症减轻)与部分中药成分的直接作用共同调控骨代谢:激活Wnt/β-catenin、骨形态发生蛋白(BMP)/Smad等通路以促进成骨;调控OPG/RANKL/RANK系统、抑制NF-κB等通路以抑制破骨。最终协同重建骨稳态。

注:图片使用Procreate、Microsoft PowerPoint及Adobe Illustrator 2022绘制。图中,绿色箭头代表促进,红色钝头箭头代表抑制,灰色虚线箭头代表直接或次要作用途径。 图 3 补肾活血中药调控“肠-骨轴”防治OP的核心机制整合图 Fig. 3 Core mechanisms integration diagram of Bushen Huoxue Chinese herbal medicine in regulating the "gut-bone axis" for prevention and treatment of OP
2.1 修复肠道屏障与调和肠道微生态

肠道屏障功能障碍与菌群紊乱是OP的常见病理表现,也是补肾活血中药干预的关键靶点。该类中药通过多成分、多途径协同修复肠黏膜屏障、优化菌群结构,从而在“肠-骨轴”调控中发挥基础性作用。

杜仲中的活性成分(如杜仲多糖、绿原酸及环烯醚萜类)可显著促进肠上皮紧密连接蛋白(ZO-1、Occludin、Claudin-1)的表达,增强上皮屏障完整性。杜仲多糖能够选择性促进双歧杆菌、乳酸菌等益生菌增殖,抑制大肠杆菌、肠球菌等条件致病菌,从而恢复肠道菌群α多样性及厚壁菌门/拟杆菌门(F/B)平衡。其黄酮类成分通过上调Occludin和Claudin-1,降低肠道通透性,阻断LPS-Toll样受体4(TLR4)/NF-κB通路的异常激活。此外,环烯醚萜类成分可调节SCFAs尤其是丁酸的生成,进而增强调节性T细胞(Treg)功能,减轻系统性炎症对骨代谢的影响。高通量测序显示,杜仲水提物能提升拟杆菌门/厚壁菌门比值,促进瘤胃球菌属、普氏菌属等产丁酸菌的丰度;体外实验进一步证实其可增强肠上皮细胞对LPS的抵抗能力,减少炎性因子入血,从源头改善骨微环境[29]

淫羊藿的主要黄酮类成分(如淫羊藿苷、宝藿苷Ⅰ)可上调ZO-1、Occludin及Claudin-1表达,增强肠黏膜完整性,减少LPS易位。在糖尿病骨质疏松(DOP)模型中,淫羊藿提取物(EPE)能降低血清LPS水平,并通过抑制Toll样受体4(TLR4)/髓样分化因子88(MyD88)/NF-κB信号通路,减少IL-6、IL-1β、TNF-α等促炎因子的释放,从而抑制炎症相关的骨吸收[30-31]。代谢组学分析表明,淫羊藿干预后肠道SCFAs(尤其是丁酸、丙酸)含量显著上升,这些代谢物可通过G蛋白偶联受体41/43(GPR41/43)受体直接参与骨代谢调控。此外,淫羊藿还可增强肠黏膜免疫球蛋白A(IgA)分泌,强化免疫屏障功能,减少肠源性内毒素血症。

骨碎补富含黄酮类(如槲皮素、山柰酚)和多糖类成分,兼具选择性抑菌与促益生菌生长的双重作用。其活性成分能显著上调ZO-1和Claudin-1表达,修复肠上皮屏障,减少LPS及TNF-α、IL-6等炎性因子向全身渗漏,进而阻断炎症信号对骨代谢的负面调控[32-33]。同时,骨碎补可调节菌群结构,增加阿克曼菌(Akkermansia muciniphila)和毛螺菌科(Lachnospiraceae)等有益菌的丰度,抑制拟杆菌属(Bacteroides)和Butyricimonas virosa等潜在致病菌的增殖,重塑肠道微生态平衡[34-35]。体外发酵实验还表明,骨碎补多糖可被微生物降解为低分子寡糖,发挥益生元效应,形成良性循环。

此外,鹿角胶、续断等补肾活血药物也表现出类似的肠道微生态调节作用。研究显示,补肾活血中药复方较单味药具有更广谱的菌群调节功能,可同时作用于多种有益菌群及相关代谢通路,体现了中医复方整体调控的优势。

2.2 调控骨代谢关键通路

补肾活血中药所含的多酚、苷类等活性成分,可通过对骨代谢关键信号通路的直接或间接调控,协同促进骨形成并抑制骨吸收,重建骨稳态。

淫羊藿的代表性成分淫羊藿苷(ICA)具有类植物雌激素活性,对成骨相关通路展示出特异性激活作用。ICA可显著激活Wnt/β-catenin及骨形态发生蛋白(BMP)/Smad蛋白(Smad)/Runt相关转录因子2(Runx2)信号轴,上调Runt相关转录因子2(Runx2)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、Ⅰ型胶原蛋白(COL1)等成骨标志基因的表达,并促进骨形态发生蛋白2分泌,从而增强BMSCs的成骨分化潜能[36]。研究表明,该过程与沉默信息调节因子1(SIRT1)的激活密切相关,后者通过抑制NF-κB信号减轻炎症、增强抗氧化应激能力,改善代谢性骨病中的成骨障碍[37-38]。同时,ICA通过抑制核因子κB受体活化因子配体(RANKL)诱导的活化T细胞核因子c1(NFATc1)与c-Fos蛋白(c-Fos)表达,阻断ERK及NF-κB通路活化,从而有效抑制破骨细胞分化与骨吸收功能[39]。这种对成骨与破骨的双向调控作用,使ICA在LPS诱导的骨溶解模型中也表现出显著的骨保护效应[40]

杜仲的主要活性成分杜仲多糖(EUP)通过多靶点参与骨代谢平衡的调节。在糖尿病骨质疏松(DOP)模型中,EUP通过激活腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶(AMPK)/磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶/蛋白激酶B(PI3K/Akt)通路促进BMSCs向成骨细胞分化,并抑制其向脂肪细胞分化,从而改善“骨-脂失衡”[41-44]。此外,EUP经肠道微生物发酵后可产生SCFAs,后者通过GPR41/43受体抑制促炎信号、减少破骨细胞分化,同时激活Wnt/β-catenin与丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)通路促进成骨[45-46]。EUP还能作为益生元调节肠道菌群结构,增加厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)等有益菌丰度,间接提升钙吸收与系统抗氧化能力,凸显其经由“肠-骨轴”发挥骨保护作用的特色[47]

骨碎补中的黄酮类、三萜皂苷等成分同样具有多通路调控特点。研究显示,其活性成分可激活Wnt/β-catenin信号,上调RUNX2表达,促进BMSCs成骨分化[48-49];该作用与异芒果苷通过AMPK/乙酰辅酶A羧化酶(ACC)通路增强BMSCs迁移与成骨分化的机制相呼应[50-51]。在破骨调控方面,骨碎补提取物可通过下调IL-6、TNF-α等炎性因子,抑制RANKL介导的破骨细胞分化[52-53]。近年研究还提示,其某些成分可能通过影响组蛋白修饰(如H3K27me3去甲基化)表观遗传调控NFATc1表达,或通过茉莉酸(JA)信号促进骨形成前体物质的合成,为解释其促骨再生提供了新的代谢-表观遗传耦合视角[53-54]

此外,续断、鹿角胶等其他补肾活血药物也对多种骨代谢通路具有调节作用。总体而言,补肾活血中药复方较单味药展现出更全面的通路调控谱,能够协同作用于成骨促进与破骨抑制多个环节,体现了中医复方“系统调控”的优势。加之其对肠道微生物组的调节可进一步拓展药物作用谱(见图 4),为阐释中药多靶点、整体性治疗骨质疏松的机制提供了现代生物学框架。

注:图片使用Procreate、Microsoft PowerPoint及Adobe Illustrator 2022绘制。各面板中,左图概括肠道主要作用,右图概括骨骼主要影响(↑表示增强,↓表示抑制)。杜仲(以多糖为代表)强于修复肠道屏障、促进产丁酸菌及通过Wnt通路促骨形成。淫羊藿(以淫羊藿苷为代表)强于调节肠道免疫、抑制炎症并直接激活BMP/Runx2成骨通路。骨碎补(以柚皮苷为代表)能双向调节菌群,并通过ERK通路促成骨、抑制破骨。黄芪(以黄芪多糖为代表)通过抗氧化改善肠道环境,并调节OPG/RANKL平衡。四者均能提升SCFAs水平。 图 4 4种代表性补肾活血中药调控“肠-骨轴”的作用谱比较 Fig. 4 Comparative profile of four representative Bushen Huoxue Chinese herbs in regulating the "gut-bone axis"
2.3 促进矿物质吸收及骨代谢平衡

补肾活血中药通过多靶点调控矿物质的吸收、转运及骨基质的合成与矿化,从而系统性改善骨代谢平衡。

补肾活血中药可显著上调肠道钙结合蛋白(CaBP-D9K)及钙转运蛋白(TRPV6、PMCA1b)的表达,优化钙的主动吸收过程。杜仲能抑制尿钙(UCa)、尿磷(UP)排泄,提高血清钙(SCa)、血清磷(SP)水平,纠正骨质疏松相关的矿物质流失[55-56]。淫羊藿总黄酮可增强肠道磷转运蛋白(NaPi-Ⅱb)表达,改善模型动物的磷代谢紊乱;骨碎补中的黄酮类成分则通过调节甲状旁腺激素(PTH)/甲状旁腺激素相关蛋白(PTHrP)受体间接参与钙磷平衡的调节。蛋白质组学研究表明,该类中药能协同调控多种矿物质转运与代谢相关蛋白,为骨矿化提供充分的营养素支持。

维生素D在钙磷代谢中处于核心地位。补肾活血中药可多环节干预维生素D代谢:促进肾25-羟化酶(CYP27B1)活性,加速25-羟基维生素D[25(OH)D]向活性形式1,25-二羟基维生素D[1,25(OH)-D]的转化;上调维生素D受体(VDR)表达并增强其转录活性;抑制24-羟化酶(CYP24A1),减少活性维生素D的降解。淫羊藿苷能显著提高OVX大鼠血清1,25(OH)-D水平,杜仲提取物则可上调肠道上皮VDR表达,两者协同促进钙吸收。此外,补肾活血中药对肠道菌群的调节还可间接影响维生素D代谢,部分益生菌参与其活化过程,形成“药物-微生物-代谢物”协同网络。

补肾活血中药对骨基质的合成与矿化具有多靶点促进作用。杜仲提取物可刺激成骨细胞分泌骨钙素(OCN)、骨连接蛋白(BSP)与骨桥蛋白(OPN),优化骨基质组成。淫羊藿苷通过抑制RANKL-p38/ERK-NFATc1信号通路,下调破骨细胞关键分化蛋白(RANK、c-Fos、NFATc1等),减少骨吸收,同时提升血清钙、磷、镁水平[57]。ICA还可激活AMPK/ULK1自噬通路并抑制AKT/mTOR/ULK1,调节自噬相关蛋白(LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ、Beclin 1、Atg7),逆转骨转换失衡,促进骨基质沉积[58]。骨碎补总黄酮能显著上调COL1A1、OCN和OPN等基因表达(达2.3~4.8倍,P < 0.01),并通过提高碱性磷酸酶活性及促进钙结节形成,加速羟基磷灰石有序沉积[59]。此外,该类中药还能调节骨基质中胶原与非胶原蛋白比例,增强骨韧性与抗折性。

骨稳态依赖于成骨细胞介导的骨形成与破骨细胞介导的骨吸收之间的精密平衡。补肾活血中药通过调控RANKL/OPG系统发挥双向调节作用:促进成骨细胞分泌骨保护素(OPG),同时抑制RANKL表达,从而抑制破骨细胞分化。研究表明,该类中药可同时干预成骨细胞(OBs)与破骨细胞(OCs)功能,实现骨形成促进与骨吸收抑制的协同恢复[60-62]。例如,杜仲-续断药对通过激活BMP/Wnt/β-catenin通路促进OB分化,并抑制NF-κB信号以降低OC活性[63];淫羊藿苷则通过调节RANKL/OPG比值,协同增强骨形成并抑制骨吸收[64-65]。动力学研究显示,补肾活血中药对骨代谢标志物(如P1NP、β-CTX)的调节呈现“双向平衡”特点,体现中医整体“调节”的优势。

2.4 活血中药对肠道微循环与骨代谢的调节作用

活血中药(如丹参、红花等)在调节肠道微循环与骨代谢方面的作用机制受到广泛关注。这类中药通过多靶点、多途径的调控网络,不仅改善局部微循环障碍,还可能通过“肠-骨轴”这一新兴生物学概念影响全身性骨代谢平衡。

丹参、川芎与红花作为传统活血化瘀中药的代表,近年来其通过调节肠道微环境发挥多系统治疗作用的机制逐渐成为研究热点。现有研究表明,这类中药可通过多靶点、多通路协同调控肠道菌群结构、修复肠黏膜屏障、抑制炎症反应,从而改善宿主代谢与免疫功能,其作用机制具有显著的创新性与临床应用价值。

丹参等活血中药的活性成分(如丹参酮类、酚酸类及川芎嗪等)可通过选择性促进益生菌生长、抑制致病菌增殖,重塑肠道微生态平衡。例如,丹参乙醇提取物(DSE)能显著下调Bacteroidaceae等促炎菌属的丰度,同时上调Muribaculaceae等抗炎菌群,这种双向调节作用与临床观察到的腹泻缓解和肠道炎症减轻密切相关[66-67]。类似的,川芎中的阿魏酸和红花中的羟基红花黄色素A可通过代谢为SCFAs前体,促进BifidobacteriumLactobacillus等有益菌的定植,其机制类似于黑醋栗提取物通过多酚类成分增加双歧杆菌丰度的现象[68-69]。值得注意的是,丹参酮ⅡA还能特异性抑制Escherichiacoli等致病菌的毒力基因表达,减少LPS向肝脏的易位,从而阻断“肠-肝轴”炎症级联反应[70]

这类中药对肠道物理屏障和免疫屏障的修复作用尤为突出。研究表明,丹参酚酸B可通过激活Wnt/β-catenin信号通路促进肠上皮干细胞(ISCs)增殖,增加隐窝深度和结肠长度,该效应依赖于γδ T淋巴细胞和IL-22的协同作用[71]。在分子层面,红花黄色素能上调紧密连接蛋白(如Occludin和ZO-1)的表达,而川芎嗪则通过抑制TLR4/MYD88/NF-κB通路减少促炎因子(TNF-α、IL-6)释放,从而缓解ETEC感染引起的肠上皮通透性增加[72]。这种双重保护机制与植物乳杆菌LLY-606联合菊粉(CLN)改善肠屏障功能的效应相似,但中药组分表现出更广谱的调控能力[73]

丹参、川芎与红花等活血化瘀类中药在骨代谢调控中展现出多靶点、多通路的协同作用机制,其活性成分通过直接干预骨形成与骨吸收的动态平衡,为骨质疏松、骨折愈合及骨坏死等骨骼疾病的治疗提供了新的药理基础。在破骨细胞调控方面,丹参活性成分(如隐丹参酮)可剂量依赖性地抑制RANKL诱导的NFATc1和c-Fos表达,阻断NF-κB和MAPKs信号通路的磷酸化,从而抑制破骨细胞前体分化为成熟破骨细胞[74]。类似地,红花黄酮类成分(如山柰酚)通过抗氧化作用清除过量ROS,降低氧化应激对成骨细胞的凋亡诱导,并提高OPG/RANKL比值以抑制骨吸收[75-76]。川芎嗪则被证实可调节MITF/Rab27A通路,影响破骨细胞源性外泌体的分泌,进而通过miRNA递送调控成骨细胞的活性[77]

在骨形成促进方面,丹参多糖(DSP)可通过激活Hedgehog信号通路增强BMSCs的成骨分化能力[78],而丹参与红花的联合应用可协同上调VEGFA和OSX的表达,促进骨折部位血管生成与软骨内骨化[79-80]。值得注意的是,活血中药的骨保护作用具有显著的微环境特异性。例如,在激素性股骨头坏死(SIONFH)模型中,丹参树脂(DBR)通过抑制ROS介导的破骨细胞过度活化,同时上调Nrf2/HO-1抗氧化通路,显著减轻骨小梁微结构破坏[76]。这种双重调控机制凸显了活血中药相较于单一靶点化学药物的优势。

代表性补肾活血中药通过“肠-骨轴”调控OP的作用机制与实验依据见表 1

3 结语

未来研究应着重探索以下方向:1)开展补肾活血中药-肠道菌群-骨代谢三者关系的高质量临床研究,验证基础研究发现。2)研发基于“肠-骨轴”调节的新型补肾活血制剂,如肠溶制剂、缓释制剂等,提高药物靶向性。3)探索补肾活血中药与益生菌、益生元的联合应用策略,发挥协同作用。4)利用多组学技术深入解析补肾活血中药的肠道微生物调节特征和代谢物变化,为个体化用药提供依据。5)拓展补肾活血中药在其他骨代谢疾病中的应用前景,如骨关节炎、骨不连等。6)运用系统生物学和计算建模方法,构建“肠道代谢物-宿主信号网络-骨表型”的动态整合模型,定量解析不同通路间的协同、拮抗或代偿关系,为中药复方的精准配伍和优化提供理论指导。

综上所述,“肠-骨轴”理论为补肾活血中药治疗OP提供了新的解释框架和研究方向。通过调节肠道微生物组、修复肠道屏障、优化微生物代谢产物及调控骨代谢信号网络,补肾活血中药展现出系统性、多靶点的治疗优势。这一研究不仅丰富了中医药理论内涵,也为开发基于肠道微生态调节的骨质疏松新药提供了思路,具有重要的理论和实践价值。

表 1 代表性补肾活血中药通过“肠-骨轴”调控OP的作用机制与实验依据 Tab. 1 Mechanism and experimental evidence of representative Bushen Huoxue Chinese herbs in regulating osteoporosis via the "gut-bone axis"
中药名称 主要活性成分 对肠道微生态与屏障功能的影响 对骨代谢的直接调控机制 实验模型/方法 关键信号通路与分子靶点
杜仲 杜仲多糖、杜仲苷、绿原酸、环烯醚萜类 1)调节菌群结构, 增加拟杆菌门/厚壁菌门比例及产丁酸菌丰度
2)修复肠道屏障, 上调ZO-1、Occludin等紧密连接蛋白表达
3)促进SCFAs(尤其是丁酸)生成, 增强Treg功能
1)促进成骨细胞分化与骨形成
2)抑制破骨细胞生成与骨吸收活性
3)调节钙磷代谢, 提高血清钙、磷水平
OVX骨质疏松大鼠模型
糖尿病骨质疏松(DOP)小鼠模型; BMSCs成骨分化模型、体外肠道菌群发酵模型
Wnt/β-catenin; BMP/Smad; RANKL/RANK/OPG; AMPK/PI3K/Akt; SCFAs-GPR43/109A
淫羊藿 淫羊藿苷、宝藿苷Ⅰ、总黄酮 1)增强肠道屏障, 减少LPS肠漏
2)抑制TLR4/NF-κB通路, 降低肠道炎症
3)加肠道SCFAs含量, 激活GPR41/43
1)强力激活BMP-2/Runx2与Wnt/β-catenin通路促成骨
2)抑制RANKL-NFATc1信号通路抗破骨
3)提升血清1, 25(OH)2D水平, 促进钙磷代谢
OVX大鼠模型; 糖尿病骨质疏松(DOP)大鼠模型、BMSCs成骨分化及破骨前体细胞诱导模型 BMP/Smad/Runx2/Osterix; Wnt/β-catenin; OPG/RANKL/RANK; RANKL-p38/ERK-NFATc1; SIRT1/自噬通路
骨碎补 黄酮类(柚皮苷、槲皮素)、多糖、三萜皂苷 1)双向调节菌群, 增加阿克曼菌等有益菌, 抑制致病菌
2)修复肠上皮屏障, 降低炎症因子渗漏
3)促进次级胆汁酸等有益代谢物生成
1)激活Wnt/β-catenin及ERK通路促进成骨分化
2)抑制RANKL信号, 调控破骨细胞分化
3)增强骨基质蛋白(COL1A1, OCN)合成与矿化
OVX大鼠骨质疏松模型; BMSCs迁移与成骨分化模型、体外破骨细胞分化模型 Wnt/β-catenin/RUNX2; BMP-2/Runx2/Osterix; ERK1/2; OPG/RANKL; AMPK/ACC(能量代谢)
黄芪 黄芪多糖、异黄酮、皂苷类 1)优化微生态, 促进双歧杆菌、乳酸菌增殖
2)激活Nrf2/HO-1通路, 减轻肠道氧化损伤
3)提高肠道SCFAs水平
1)通过TGF-β/BMP与PI3K/Akt通路促进成骨细胞存活与分化
2)调节OPG/RANKL平衡, 抑制NF-κB活化以抗破骨
3)改善骨微环境氧化应激与炎症
OVX骨质疏松大鼠模型[35]、成骨细胞与破骨前体细胞体外培养模型[60]
(文中机制整合多源自复方研究, 单味药模型可参照复方文献)
Nrf2/HO-1(抗氧化); TGF-β/BMP; PI3K/Akt; OPG/RANKL/RANK; NF-κB
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Systematic mechanisms and pathways of Bushen Huoxue Chinese herbal medicine in regulating the "gut-bone axis" for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis
DONG Jiahao1 , CHEN Tao2 , YU Weijie2 , PENG Zhongyu2 , LONG Yuan1 , XIA Yifeng1     
1. The First Clinical Medical College, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming 650500, China;
2. Yunnan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming 650021, China
Abstract: Osteoporosis (OP) is a systemic bone disease characterized by reduced bone mass and degradation of bone microstructure, for which early prevention and treatment hold significant clinical value. In recent years, the "gut-bone axis" theory has revealed the crucial role of gut microbiota in regulating bone metabolism through pathways such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), immune modulation, and endocrine signaling, offering novel insights for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) posits that "the kidney governs the bones and generates marrow" with the pathogenesis of osteoporosis rooted in kidney deficiency and manifested by blood stasis. Clinically, Bushen Huoxue Chinese herbal medicines are commonly employed with established therapeutic efficacy. This article systematically reviews the mechanisms by which Bushen Huoxue herbal medicines treat osteoporosis through the regulation of the "gut-bone axis, " including repairing the intestinal barrier, modulating microbial community structure, promoting the generation of beneficial metabolites, and suppressing inflammatory responses and oxidative stress. Furthermore, they directly or indirectly regulate key bone metabolic signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, OPG/RANKL/RANK, and BMP/Smad, thereby synergistically promoting osteogenesis, inhibiting osteoclastogenesis, and restoring bone homeostasis. Studies indicate that representative herbs such as Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., Epimedium brevicornu Maxim., Drynaria fortunei (Kunze) J. Sm., and Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge. exhibit characteristics of multi-component, multi-target, and holistic regulation. Future research should deepen clinical validation, formulation optimization, and multi-omics mechanistic studies to further advance the modernization and precision application of Bushen Huoxue herbal medicines in the treatment of osteoporosis.
Key words: osteoporosis    gut-bone axis    Bushen Huoxue    traditional Chinese medicine    gut microbiota