Abstract
Kezimuke granules (KZMK), derived from traditional Kazakh folk medicine, exhibit a variety of pharmacological properties. Long-term clinical studies have demonstrated their efficacy in clearing heat, detoxifying, promoting qi circulation, and alleviating gonorrhea. However, their specific pharmacological effects on urinary tract infections remain unclear. This study employed UHPLC-MS/MS technology to identify the blood components of KZMK and integrated network pharmacology with bioinformatics analysis for molecular docking validation. The anti-inflammatory activity of KZMK was further evaluated using a rat model of LPS-induced cystitis. A total of 17 components in KZMK were identified as capable of entering the bloodstream. Predictive analysis revealed that its primary targets include Caspase-1, NLRP3, STAT1, TLR4, and TNF, with the NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway emerging as the key mechanism. In vivo studies showed that KZMK effectively reduced the white blood cell (WBC) count and bladder index in urine sediments of rats with cystitis. Additionally, KZMK alleviated bladder congestion, edema, and histopathological changes in the animals. Treatment with KZMK led to decreased levels of IL-18 and IL-1β cytokines. KZMK significantly inhibited the expression of NLRP3, GSDMD, and Caspase-1 in LPS-induced cystitis, further confirming its anti-inflammatory effects. These findings indicate that KZMK provides protection against LPS-induced cystitis, primarily by inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Collectively, the results suggest that KZMK holds promise as a potential therapeutic option for urinary tract infections.