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Qiu BY, Xu BR, Song YK, Hu YC, Ren HJ, Zheng J, Chen P, Wang YX. Effectiveness and mechanism of Huoxin pill on heart failure after percutaneous coronary intervention: Study protocol for a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled parallel trial. Contemp Clin Trials Commun 2024; 40:101328. [PMID: 39026569 PMCID: PMC11255501 DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2024.101328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common cardiovascular disease facing human beings. Cardiac remodelling is an important pathological factor for the progression of heart failure (HF) after CHD. At present, Chinese medicine is widely used in the treatment of HF, but there are still some drugs lack of evidence-based and mechanism evidence. Multi-omics techniques can deep explore candidate pathogenic factors and construct gene regulatory networks.This trial is intended to evaluate the effect on Huoxin pill (HXP) in the treatment of HF after programmable communication interface (PCI). Meantime, multi-omics analysis technique will be used to target the fundamental pathological links of cardiac remodelling, so as to study the mechanism of HXP in the treatment of HF after PCI. Methods This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Sixty patients with HF undergoing PCI are recruited from the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of CM. All selected patients will be randomly attributed to receive conventional treatment + HXP or placebo. The packaging, dosage and smell of placebo and heart activating pill were identical. The primary outcome is NYHA cardiac function grade, while the secondary outcomes included Lee's HF score, exercise tolerance test, and quality of life evaluation. Additional indicators include cardiac ultrasound, electrocardiogram, 24-h dynamic electrocardiogram, myocardial injury indicators, and energy metabolism indicators. Discussion This study may provide a new treatment option for patients with HF after PCI and provide evidence for the treatment of CHD and HF with HXP. Trial registration 2023-10-08 registered in China Clinical Trial Registry, registration number ChiCTR2300076402.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yan-kun Song
- Heart Center/National Regional (Traditional Chinese Mdicine) Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Treatment Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of CM, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yu-cai Hu
- Heart Center/National Regional (Traditional Chinese Mdicine) Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Treatment Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of CM, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Hong-jie Ren
- Heart Center/National Regional (Traditional Chinese Mdicine) Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Treatment Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of CM, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jia Zheng
- Heart Center/National Regional (Traditional Chinese Mdicine) Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Treatment Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of CM, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Peng Chen
- Heart Center/National Regional (Traditional Chinese Mdicine) Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Treatment Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of CM, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yong-xia Wang
- Heart Center/National Regional (Traditional Chinese Mdicine) Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Treatment Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of CM, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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Li X, Zeng L, Qu Z, Zhang F. Huoxin pill protects verapamil-induced zebrafish heart failure through inhibition of oxidative stress-triggered inflammation and apoptosis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23402. [PMID: 38169776 PMCID: PMC10758798 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Heart failure (HF) is a major and growing public health concern. Although advances in medical and surgical therapies have been achieved over the last decades, there is still no firmly evidence-based treatment with many traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) for HF. Huoxin Pill (HXP), a TCM, has been widely used to treat patients with coronary heart disease and angina pectoris. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is poorly understood. In this study, using a verapamil-induced zebrafish HF model, we validated the efficacy and revealed the underlying mechanism of HXP in the treatment of HF. Zebrafish embryos were pretreated with different concentrations of HXP followed by verapamil administration, and we found that HXP significantly improved cardiac function in HF zebrafish, such as by effectively alleviating venous congestion and increasing heart rates. Mechanistically, HXP evidently inhibited verapamil-induced ROS and H2O2 production and upregulated CAT activity in HF zebrafish. Moreover, transgenic lines Tg(mpx:EGFP) and Tg(nfkb:EGFP) were administered for inflammation evaluation, and we found that neutrophil infiltration in HF zebrafish hearts and the activated NF-kB level could be reduced by HXP. Furthermore, HXP significantly downregulated the level of cell apoptosis in HF zebrafish hearts, as assessed by AO staining. Molecularly, RT‒qPCR results showed that pretreatment with HXP upregulated antioxidant-related genes such as gpx-1a and gss and downregulated the expression of the stress-related gene hsp70, proinflammatory genes such as tnf-α, il-6 and lck, and apoptosis-related indicators such as apaf1, puma and caspase9. In conclusion, HXP exerts a protective effect on verapamil-induced zebrafish HF through inhibition of oxidative stress-triggered inflammation and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianmei Li
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatrics, Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, PR China
| | - Laifeng Zeng
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatrics, Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, PR China
| | - Zhixin Qu
- Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, PR China
| | - Fenghua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, PR China
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Ren C, Zhao X, Liu K, Wang L, Chen Q, Jiang H, Gao X, Lv X, Zhi X, Wu X, Li Y. Research progress of natural medicine Astragalus mongholicus Bunge in treatment of myocardial fibrosis. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 305:116128. [PMID: 36623754 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.116128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is a common pathological manifestation of many cardiovascular diseases at a certain stage, with excessive accumulation of collagen fibers, excessive increase in collagen content, and a significant increase in collagen volume as the main pathological changes. There are currently no effective drugs for the treatment of myocardial fibrosis. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the main component of the medical practice used for more than 5000 years, especially in China, often exerts a wider action spectrum than previously attempted options in treating human diseases. In recent times, the great potential of TCM in the treatment of MF has received much attention. Especially many experimental studies on the treatment of MF by Astragalus mongholicus Bunge have been conducted, and the effect is remarkable, which may provide more comprehensive database and theoretical support for the application of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge in the treatment of MF and could be considered a promising candidate drug for preventing MF. AIM OF THE REVIEW This review summarizes the chemical components of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge, Astragalus mongholicus Bunge extract, Astragalus mongholicus Bunge single prescription, and Astragalus mongholicus Bunge compound preparation in the treatment of MF, and provides comprehensive information and a reliable basis for the exploration of new treatment strategies of botanical drugs in the therapy of MF. METHODS The literature information was obtained from the scientific databases on ethnobotany and ethnomedicines (up to August 2022), mainly from the PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI databases. The experimental studies on the anti-myocardial fibrosis role of the effective active components of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge and the utility of its compound preparation and the involved mechanisms were identified. The search keywords for such work included: "myocardial fibrosis" or "Cardiac fibrosis ", and "Astragalus mongholicus Bunge", "extract," or "herb". RESULTS Several studies have shown that the effective active components of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge and its formulas, particularly Astragaloside IV, Astragalus polysaccharide, total saponins of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge, triterpenoid saponins of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge, and cycloastragenol, exhibit potential benefits against MF, the mechanisms of which appear to involve the regulation of inflammation, oxidant stress, and pro-fibrotic signaling pathways, etc. Conclusion: These research works have shown the therapeutic benefits of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge in the treatment of MF. However, further research should be undertaken to clarify the unconfirmed chemical composition and regulatory mechanisms, conduct standard clinical trials, and evaluate the possible side effects. The insights in the present review provided rich ideas for developing new anti-MF drugs. THESIS Myocardial fibrosis (MF) with excessive accumulation of collagen fibers, excessive increase in collagen content, and a significant increase in collagen volume as the main pathological changes is a common pathological manifestation of many cardiovascular diseases at a certain stage, which seriously affects cardiac function. At present, there is still a lack of effective drugs for the treatment of MF. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the main component of the medical practice used for more than 5000 years especially in China, often exerts wider action spectrum than previously attempted options in treating human diseases. In recent times, the great potential of TCM in the treatment of MF has received much attention. Especially many experimental studies on the treatment of MF by Astragalus mongholicus Bunge have been conducted, and the effect is remarkable, which may provide more comprehensive data base and theoretical support for the application of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge in the treatment of MF and could be considered a promising candidate drug for preventing MF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunzhen Ren
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for the Prevention andTreatment of Chronic Diseases, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Key clinical specialty of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Key Specialized Cardiovascular Laboratory National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Xinke Zhao
- Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for the Prevention andTreatment of Chronic Diseases, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Key clinical specialty of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Key Specialized Cardiovascular Laboratory National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Kai Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for the Prevention andTreatment of Chronic Diseases, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Key clinical specialty of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Key Specialized Cardiovascular Laboratory National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Lirong Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for the Prevention andTreatment of Chronic Diseases, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Key clinical specialty of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Key Specialized Cardiovascular Laboratory National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Qilin Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for the Prevention andTreatment of Chronic Diseases, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Key clinical specialty of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Key Specialized Cardiovascular Laboratory National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Hugang Jiang
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for the Prevention andTreatment of Chronic Diseases, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Key clinical specialty of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Key Specialized Cardiovascular Laboratory National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Xiang Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for the Prevention andTreatment of Chronic Diseases, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Key clinical specialty of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Key Specialized Cardiovascular Laboratory National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Xinfang Lv
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for the Prevention andTreatment of Chronic Diseases, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Key clinical specialty of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Key Specialized Cardiovascular Laboratory National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Xiaodong Zhi
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for the Prevention andTreatment of Chronic Diseases, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Key clinical specialty of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Key Specialized Cardiovascular Laboratory National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Xue Wu
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for the Prevention andTreatment of Chronic Diseases, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Key clinical specialty of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Key Specialized Cardiovascular Laboratory National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China; The second hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yingdong Li
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for the Prevention andTreatment of Chronic Diseases, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Key clinical specialty of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Key Specialized Cardiovascular Laboratory National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
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Gao ZW, Zhang X, Zhuo QY, Chen MX, Yang C, Chen ZJ, Chen Y, Liao YQ, Wang LL. Metabolomics and integrated network pharmacology analysis reveal attenuates cardiac hypertrophic mechanisms of HuoXin pill. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 292:115150. [PMID: 35304274 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Cardiac hypertrophy (CH) is maladaptive and contributes to the pathogenesis of heart failure. Huoxin pill (HXP), a Chinese herbal prescription, is widely applied in the treatment of cardiovascular disease (CAD). Its mechanism, however, is unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY This study investigated the mechanism of action for Huoxin pill in the treatment of CH, an important stage of CAD. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 60 rats were injected with isoprenaline (ISO) to establish a model of CH. Echocardiography and histopathologic evaluation were performed to evaluate the disease severity, whereas ELISAs were conducted to determine the expression of oxidative stress. Network pharmacology and metabolomic analyses were conducted to identify the key compounds, core targets and pathways that mediate the effects of HXP against CH. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to test apoptosis protein levels. RESULTS HXP administration in ISO-treated rats decreased hypertrophy indices, alleviated cardiac pathological damage, and downregulated oxidative stress levels when compared to those of rats subjected to ISO treatment only. Moreover, network pharmacology results suggested that the PI3K-Akt pathway is a main mechanism by which HXP inhibits cardiac hypertrophy, and experimental verification showed that HXP inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis via activation of the PI3K-Akt pathway. The results of metabolomic analysis identified 21 differential metabolites between the HXPH group and ISO group, which were considered to be metabolic biomarkers of HXP in the treatment of CH. Among them, 6 differential metabolites were significantly upregulated, and 15 were significantly downregulated. CONCLUSIONS The present study presents an integrated strategy for investigating the mechanisms of HXP in the treatment of CH and sheds new light on the application of HXP as a traditional Chinese medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhan-Wang Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No. 232, Waihuandong Road, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China.
| | - Xin Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No. 232, Waihuandong Road, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China.
| | - Qing-Yuan Zhuo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No. 232, Waihuandong Road, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China.
| | - Mei-Xian Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No. 232, Waihuandong Road, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China.
| | - Chong Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No. 232, Waihuandong Road, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China.
| | - Zhao-Jie Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No. 232, Waihuandong Road, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China.
| | - Ying Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No. 232, Waihuandong Road, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China.
| | - Yi-Qiu Liao
- Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical General Factory, Guangzhou Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical Holdings Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, 510515, PR China; Key Laboratory of Key Technology Research on Chemical Raw Materials and Preparations of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510515, PR China.
| | - Ling-Li Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No. 232, Waihuandong Road, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China.
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Huang CW, Lee SY, Wei TT, Kuo YH, Wu ST, Ku HC. A novel caffeic acid derivative prevents renal remodeling after ischemia/reperfusion injury. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 142:112028. [PMID: 34399201 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute kidney disease due to renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is a major clinical problem without effective therapies. The injured tubular epithelial cells may undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). It will loss epithelial phenotypes and express the mesenchymal characteristics. The formation of scar tissue in the interstitial space during renal remodeling is caused by the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix components and induced fibrosis. This study investigated the effect of caffeic acid ethanolamide (CAEA), a novel caffeic acid derivative, on renal remodeling after injury. The inhibitory role of CAEA on EMT was determined by western blotting, real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry staining. Treating renal epithelial cells with CAEA in TGF-β exposed cell culture successfully maintained the content of E-cadherin and inhibited the expression of mesenchymal marker, indicating that CAEA prevented renal epithelial cells undergo EMT after TGF-β exposure. Unilateral renal I/R were performed in mice to induce renal remodeling models. CAEA can protect against I/R-induced renal remodeling by inhibiting inflammatory reactions and consecutively inhibiting TGF-β-induced EMT, characterized by the preserved E-cadherin expression and alleviated α-SMA and collagen expression, as well as the alleviated of renal fibrosis. We also revealed that CAEA may exhibits biological activity by targeting TGFBRI. CAEA may antagonize TGF-β signaling by interacting with TGFBR1, thereby blocking binding between TGF-β and TGFBR1 and reducing downstream signaling, such as Smad3 phosphorylation. Our data support the administration of CAEA after I/R as a viable method for preventing the progression of acute renal injury to renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Wei Huang
- Department of Life Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Yi Lee
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taiwan; MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Taitung MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Tang Wei
- Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yueh-Hsiung Kuo
- Department of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Resources, China Medical University, Taichung Taiwan; Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shao-Tung Wu
- Department of Life Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Chun Ku
- Department of Life Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
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Peng M, Yang M, Lu Y, Lin S, Gao H, Xie L, Huang B, Chen D, Shen A, Shen Z, Peng J, Chu J. Huoxin Pill inhibits isoproterenol-induced transdifferentiation and collagen synthesis in cardiac fibroblasts through the TGF-β/Smads pathway. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 275:114061. [PMID: 33892065 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The abnormal proliferation and differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) are universally regarded as the key process for the progressive development of cardiac fibrosis following various cardiovascular diseases. Huoxin Pill (Concentrated pill, HXP) is a Chinese herbal formula for treating coronary heart disease. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of HXP in the treatment of myocardial fibrosis are still unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the effects of HXP on CFs transdifferentiation and collagen synthesis under isoproterenol (ISO) conditions, as well as the potential mechanism of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS In vivo, we established a rat model of cardiac fibrosis induced by ISO, and administered with low or high dose of HXP (10 mg/kg/day or 30 mg/kg/day). The level of α-SMA was detected by immunohistochemistry examination, and combined with RNA-sequencing analysis to determine the protective effect of HXP on myocardial fibrosis rats. In vitro, by culturing primary rat CFs, we examined the effects of HXP on the proliferation and transdifferentiation of CFs using CCK8, scratch wound healing and immunofluorescence assays. Western blot was used to determine protein expression. RESULTS The findings revealed that HXP protects against ISO-induced cardiac fibrosis and CFs transdifferentiation in rats. RNA-sequencing and pathway analyses demonstrated 238 or 295 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and multiple enriched signal pathways, including transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) receptor signaling activates Smads, downregulation of TGF-β receptor signaling, signaling by TGF-β receptor complex, and collagen formation under treatment with low or high-dose of HXP. Moreover, HXP also markedly inhibited ISO-induced primary rat CFs proliferation, transdifferentiation, collagen synthesis and the upregulation of TGF-β1 and phosphorylated Smad2/3 protein expression. CONCLUSION HXP suppresses ISO-induced CFs transdifferentiation and collagen synthesis, and it may exert these effects in part by inhibiting the activation of the TGF-β/Smads pathway. This may be a new therapeutic tool for cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meizhong Peng
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China; Chen Keji Academic Thought Inheritance Studio, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatrics, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Meiling Yang
- The Third People's Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Yan Lu
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China; Chen Keji Academic Thought Inheritance Studio, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatrics, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Shan Lin
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China; Chen Keji Academic Thought Inheritance Studio, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatrics, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Huajian Gao
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China; Chen Keji Academic Thought Inheritance Studio, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatrics, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Lingling Xie
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China; Chen Keji Academic Thought Inheritance Studio, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatrics, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Bin Huang
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China; Chen Keji Academic Thought Inheritance Studio, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatrics, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Daxin Chen
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China; Chen Keji Academic Thought Inheritance Studio, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatrics, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Aling Shen
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China; Chen Keji Academic Thought Inheritance Studio, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatrics, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Zhiqing Shen
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China; Chen Keji Academic Thought Inheritance Studio, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatrics, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Jun Peng
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China; Chen Keji Academic Thought Inheritance Studio, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatrics, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China.
| | - Jianfeng Chu
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China; Chen Keji Academic Thought Inheritance Studio, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatrics, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China.
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