Objective  To explore the analgesic effects of Houpu Wenzhong decoction and its underlying metabolic mechanisms using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) metabolomics technology, and provide scientific evidence for the development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) analgesics.

Methods  The analgesic effects of Houpu Wenzhong decoction were evaluated using the hot-plate test and acetic acid-induced twisting test. Mice were randomly divided into the model group, the positive control group (aspirin, 0.2 g/kg), and high (3.6 g/kg), medium (1.8  g/ kg), and low (0.9 g/kg) dose groups of Houpu Wenzhong decoction. After continuous administration for 7 days, the latent period of licking feet in mice on a hot plate was measured. Mice were randomly divided into the blank group, the  model group, and the Houpu Wenzhong decoction group (3.6 g/kg). After continuous administration for 7 days, the number of twisting induced by acetic acid were calculated. GC/MS metabolomics was used to analyze the blood samples of mice to identify potential biomarkers and elucidate related metabolic pathways.

Results The experimental results of the hot plate method showed that Houpu Wenzhong decoction had a significant dose-dependent analgesic effect, and compared with the model group, the high and medium dose groups showed significantly prolonged latency of foot licking in the 30th and 60th minute after administration (P<0.05). The results of the acetic acid twisting experiment showed that the twisting frequency of mice in the Houpu Wenzhong decoction group was significantly reduced compared to the model group (P<0.05). Metabolomics analysis identified 19 potential biomarkers involving 7 metabolic pathways, among which the alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolic pathways were particularly crucial, with alanine abundance changes closely related to the analgesic effects.

Conclusion  This study confirms the significant analgesic effects of Houpu Wenzhong decoction through the hot plate and acetic acid-induced twisting tests, and elucidates its analgesic mechanisms relating to the alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolic pathways using metabolomics. These findings provide important theoretical evidence for further research and drug development of Houpu Wenzhongdecoction.

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