Handling of complexity: Describing the mechanisms of action of a multi-target therapy in functional GI diseases by multi-step clustering derived heatmaps

Introduction In functional gastrointestinal diseases (FGDs), a multitude of concomitant causes and likewise also targets for therapeutic interventions have been identified [1]. Therefore, from a translational perspective, a multi-target approach is a promising therapeutic strategy. For assessing the underlying complex mechanisms of action, a novel approach has been developed [2] and is now applied to another natural product, STW 5-II (NP) consisting from extracts of lemon balm leaves, caraway fruits, peppermint leaves, bitter candytuft total plant, chamomile flowers and liquorice roots, with proven efficacy in a multitude of clinical studies.

Methods All data from preclinical studies on mechanism of action of combination NP and its components were retrieved. Study results were sorted in relation to the different etiologic mechanisms, and multi-step clustering was conducted to reduce data complexity, followed by visualization in the form of 2D histograms/heatmaps.

Results The evaluation of the data showed that NP is active in etiologic factors involved in FGDs, especially in functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome, like hyper- and hypomotility, acidity, inflammation and hypersensitivity, but also in inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases.

Conclusions Multi step clustering allows the allocation of the specific actions of NP to the different components and the visualization of its anti-inflammatory, mucosa protective and calming actions, which are in accordance to its use in long lasting functional gastrointestinal diseases.

Publication History

Article published online:
13 December 2021

• References

• 1 Allescher et al. 2006, Phytomedicine 13 SV:2
• 2 Abdel-Aziz et al. 2017, Planta Med 83:1130-1140