Radix Puerariae rebalances vasomotor factors and improves left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with essential hypertension

Anti-hypertension effect of Wuwei Jiangya decoction via ACE2/Ang1-7/MAS signaling pathway in SHR based on network degree-distribution analysis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Wuwei Jiangya decoction (WJD) is a traditional Chinese medicinal formula (Fangji) composed of Gastrodiae Rhizoma, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Puerariae Lobatae Radix, Cyathulae Radix, and Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, all of which have been verified to combat hypertension. However, the integrative "shot-gun" mechanism of WJD and its primary active ingredients are still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the anti-hypertensive effects of WJD and its originating ingredients.

METHODS

Network-based degree distribution analysis combined with in vivo experiments were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 144 active ingredients in WJD were identified to regulate 84 hypertension-related targets, which are mainly involved in blood pressure and blood vessel diameter regulation. However, for the anti-hypertension effects, "more does not mean better". The majority (76%) of the hubs in the H-network were regulated by no more than four ingredients. We identified 16 primary ingredients that accounted for the therapeutic action against hypertension. For compatibility, the five herbs consistently focused on blood pressure, vascular diameter, and angiogenesis, with the renin-angiotensin system as a primary target. The characteristics of each herb were involved in processes such as lipid localization and oxidative stress, which interact to constitute the regulatory network targeting hypertension, its risk factors, and organ damage. In vivo, WJD significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP), improved left ventricular mass index, and ameliorated cardiac hypertrophy and vascular injury by moderating the renin-angiotensin system via activating the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

WJD can lower SBP and ameliorate cardiac hypertrophy and vascular injury through the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas pathway, thus providing new insights into the development of traditional Chinese medicine as a therapeutic agent for hypertension.

Huoxue Qianyang Qutan recipe attenuates Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by regulating reactive oxygen species production

Continuous and irreversible cardiac hypertrophy can induce cardiac maladaptation and cardiac remodeling, resulting in increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. The present study was conducted to investigate the therapeutic effect of Huoxue Qianyang Qutan recipe (HQQR) on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Primary cardiomyocytes were isolated from the cardiac tissue of neonatal rats, followed by flow cytometry detection to confirm the proportion of primary cardiomyocytes. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and immunofluorescence detection were performed to examine the effect of Ang II and HQQR on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a series of metabolic indicators were quantified to investigate the effect of HQQR on Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Mitochondrial electron transport chain complex activity and related coding gene expression were determined to explore the effect of HQQR on mitochondrial function. HQQR significantly inhibited Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and restored Ang II-induced ROS accumulation, metabolic indicators, and membrane potential levels. HQQR also regulated the mitochondrial function related to the sirtuin 1 pathway in Ang II-induced cardiomyocytes by increasing the activity of the mitochondrial electron transport chain complex and affecting the expression of genes encoding mitochondrial electron transport chain complex subunits. HQQR could alleviate Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by modulating oxidative stress, accumulating ROS and increasing mitochondrial electron transport chain activity.