Proteomic analysis revealed the pharmacological mechanism of Xueshuantong injection in preventing early acute myocardial infarction injury

Ginsenoside Rg1 alleviates cognitive impairment in vascular dementia by modulating Adcy1/Kdr-mediated cholinergic synapse and PI3K-AKT pathway

BACKGROUND

Vascular dementia (VD), a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder that stems from chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, poses a substantial clinical challenge given the scarcity of efficacious treatment options. While ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) has demonstrated neuroprotective and antioxidative effects in various models of neurodegenerative disease, the mechanisms underlying its therapeutic potential in VD pathogenesis have yet to be systematically elucidated.

PURPOSE

This study investigate the therapeutic potential of Rg1 in VD using a bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2-VO) rat model and simultaneously explored the molecular mechanisms underlying its pharmacological effects.

METHODS

To systematically assess the therapeutic efficacy of Rg1 on VD, we employed a well-established rat model of 2-VO. Behavioral outcomes were evaluated using standardized tests, histopathological changes were analyzed following histologic staining, and oxidative stress markers were quantified through biochemical analyses. Additionally, untargeted metabolomic profiling of serum and brain tissues was performed using UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS, followed by targeted metabolomics to quantify essential amino acids and neurotransmitters. Additionally, integrated network pharmacology, transcriptomics, molecular docking, microscale thermophoresis (MST), qRT-PCR and western blotting were performed to facilitate a detailed investigation of the therapeutic potential of Rg1 and its molecular mechanisms in VD.

RESULTS

Rg1 significantly ameliorated cognitive deficits and neuronal damage in rats with VD. Metabolomics revealed its unique ability to restore amino acid homeostasis and rebalance key neurotransmitters, including acetylcholine and glutamate. Mechanistically, Rg1 activated Adcy1 and Kdr, in turn enhancing cholinergic synapse integrity, and modulating the PI3K-AKT pathway to attenuate oxidative stress. Notably, molecular docking simulations displayed robust binding interactions between Rg1 and target proteins (all binding energies <-7 kcal/mol), and microscale thermophoresis (MST), qRT-PCR and western blotting findings revealed high consistency with multi-omics predictions.

CONCLUSION

Thie findings of this reveals novel evidence that Rg1 alleviates VD by restoring amino acid homeostasis and neurotransmitter equilibrium, thereby activating Adcy1/Kdr-mediated cholinergic synapse and PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. These results position Rg1 as a promising phototherapeutic candidate for VD treatment.

Latest Evidence and Perspectives of Panax Notoginseng Extracts and Preparations for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases

ABSTRACT

Cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of death worldwide, and their high incidence poses a significant threat to human health and public health systems. Panax notoginseng , a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with a long history, has shown promise in treating cardiovascular diseases. This review examines the diverse mechanisms through which Panax notoginseng addresses cardiovascular diseases, including anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet aggregation, anticoagulation, anti-oxidative stress, regulation of angiogenesis, antiatherosclerosis, improvement of microcirculatory disorders, and protection against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, highlighting saponins as the principal active components. It also summarizes studies involving Panax notoginseng preparations like Xueshuantong and Xuesaitong in treating coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction, and discusses the safety, limitations, and future research directions of these extracts. In conclusion, the cardiovascular protective mechanism of Panax notoginseng is multitargeted and multipathways, and its clinical application is relatively safe, with rare and mild adverse drug reactions, suggesting a promising therapeutic potential.

Metabolomics analysis of anaphylactoid reactions induced by Xueshuantong injection in normal and immunocompromised mice

Background

Xueshuantong injection (Lyophilized) (XSTI) is widely used to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, anaphylactoid reactions (ARs) are frequently reported as one of its side effects, and the mechanisms of ARs and their relationship with the different immune status are still not well understood.

Purpose

This article aims to examine the sensitizing effect of XSTI, explore the impact of normal and immunocompromised states on ARs, and analyze AR-related metabolic pathways by metabolomics.

Methods

An immunocompromised mouse model was established through intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (CTX). Normal and immunocompromised mice were then treated with normal saline (NS), histamine (HIS), and XSTI, respectively. Behavioral responses, auricle blue staining, and Evans blue (EB) exudation were used as indices to evaluate the sensitization of XSTI on both normal and immunocompromised mice. Subsequently, ARs models with different immune statuses were established, and validated by measuring four serum indicators using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Finally, LC-MS metabolomics analysis was performed on mouse serum to evaluate the metabolic pathways.

Results

The intensity of ARs induced by XSTI in mice was found to increase with the administered dose, with normal mice exhibiting higher AR intensities compared to immunocompromised mice. Metabolomic analysis revealed significant metabolic changes in XSTI-treated mice. The metabolic pathways predicted from these different metabolites include biotin metabolism, histidine metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, bile secretion, arachidonic acid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, niacin and nicotinamide metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, steroid biosynthesis, and arginine and proline metabolism.

Conclusion

Research indicated that the sensitization of XSTI is dose-dependent, and mice with weakened immune functions exhibit lower sensitivity. Through metabolomics research, the differential metabolites in mice were analyzed, and the metabolic pathways inducing ARs were predicted. This study offers guidance on safe medication from the perspective of organism susceptibility and lays a foundation for research on the potential mechanisms of ARs.

Efficacy and safety of Panax notoginseng saponin injection in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of Panax notoginseng saponin (PNS) injection, when combined with conventional treatment (CT), for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: Comprehensive searches were conducted in seven databases from inception until 28 September 2023. The search aimed to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on PNS injection in the context of AMI. This meta-analysis adhered to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, and its protocol was registered with PROSPERO (number: CRD42023480131). Result: Twenty RCTs involving 1,881 patients were included. The meta-analysis revealed that PNS injection, used adjunctively with CT, significantly improved treatment outcomes compared to CT alone, as evidenced by the following points: (1) enhanced total effective rate [OR = 3.09, p < 0.05]; (2) decreased incidence of major adverse cardiac events [OR = 0.32, p < 0.05]; (3) reduction in myocardial infarct size [MD = -6.53, p < 0.05]; (4) lower ST segment elevation amplitude [MD = -0.48, p < 0.05]; (5) mitigated myocardial injury as indicated by decreased levels of creatine kinase isoenzymes [MD = -11.19, p < 0.05], cardiac troponin T [MD = -3.01, p < 0.05], and cardiac troponin I [MD = -10.72, p < 0.05]; (6) enhanced cardiac function, reflected in improved brain natriuretic peptide [MD = -91.57, p < 0.05], left ventricular ejection fraction [MD = 5.91, p < 0.05], left ventricular end-diastolic dimension [MD = -3.08, p < 0.05], and cardiac output [MD = 0.53, p < 0.05]; (7) reduced inflammatory response, as shown by lower levels of C-reactive protein [MD = -2.99, p < 0.05], tumor necrosis factor-α [MD = -6.47, p < 0.05], interleukin-6 [MD = -24.46, p < 0.05], and pentraxin-3 [MD = -2.26, p < 0.05]; (8) improved vascular endothelial function, demonstrated by decreased endothelin-1 [MD = -20.56, p < 0.05] and increased nitric oxide [MD = 1.33, p < 0.05]; (9) alleviated oxidative stress, evidenced by increased superoxide dismutase levels [MD = 25.84, p < 0.05]; (10) no significant difference in adverse events [OR = 1.00, p = 1.00]. Conclusion: This study highlighted the efficacy and safety of adjunctive PNS injections in enhancing AMI patient outcomes beyond CT alone. Future RCTs need to solidify these findings through rigorous methods. Systematic Review Registration: (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/), identifier (CRD42023480131).

Huoxin Pill Reduces Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Rats via TLR4/NFκB/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway

OBJECTIVE

To explore the protective effect of Huoxin Pill (HXP) on acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MIRI) injury in rats.

METHODS

Seventy-five adult SD rats were divided into the sham-operated group, model group, positive drug group (diltiazem hydrochloride, DH), high dose group (24 mg/kg, HXP-H) and low dose group (12 mg/kg, HXP-L) of Huoxin Pill (n=15 for every group) according to the complete randomization method. After 1 week of intragastric administration, the left anterior descending coronary artery of the rat's heart was ligated for 45 min and reperfused for 3 h. Serum was separated and the levels of creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were measured. Myocardial ischemia rate, myocardial infarction rate and myocardial no-reflow rate were determined by staining with Evans blue and 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC). Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular mechANism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN) databases were used to screen for possible active compounds of HXP and their potential therapeutic targets; the results of anti-inflammatory genes associated with MIRI were obtained from GeneCards, Drugbank, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), and Therapeutic Target Datebase (TTD) databases was performed; Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment were used to analyze the intersected targets; molecular docking was performed using AutoDock Tools. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NFκB)/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3).

RESULTS

Compared with the model group, all doses of HXP significantly reduced the levels of LDH, CK and CK-MB (P<0.05, P<0.01); HXP significantly increased serum activity of SOD (P<0.05, P<0.01); all doses of HXP significantly reduced the levels of hs-CRP and IL-1β (P<0.05, P<0.01) and the myocardial infarction rate and myocardial no-reflow rate (P<0.01). GO enrichment analysis mainly involved positive regulation of gene expression, extracellular space and identical protein binding, KEGG pathway enrichment mainly involved PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and lipid and atherosclerosis. Molecular docking results showed that kaempferol and luteolin had a better affinity with TLR4, NFκB and NLRP3 molecules. The protein expressions of TLR4, NFκB and NLRP3 were reduced in the HXP group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

HXP has a significant protective effect on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats, and its effect may be related to the inhibition of redox response and reduction of the inflammatory response by inhibiting the TLR4NFκB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.