Revealing the synergistic mechanism of Shenfu Decoction for anti-heart failure through network pharmacology strategy

Unlocking cardioprotection: iPSC exosomes deliver Nec-1 to target PARP1/AIFM1 axis, alleviating HF oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is characterized by oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of Necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) delivered through exosomes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to address these pathologies in HF.

METHODS

An HF rat model was established, and comprehensive assessments were performed using echocardiography, hemodynamics, and ventricular mass index measurements. iPSCs were used to isolate exosomes, loaded with Nec-1, and characterized for efficient delivery into cardiomyocytes. The interaction between Nec-1-loaded exosomes (Nec-1-Exos), poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1), and apoptosis-inducing factor mitochondria-associated 1 (AIFM1) was explored. Gain-of-function experiments assessed changes in cardiomyocyte parameters, and histological analyses were conducted on myocardial tissues.

RESULTS

Cardiomyocytes successfully internalized Nec-1-loaded exosomes, leading to downregulation of PARP1, inhibition of AIFM1 nuclear translocation, increased ATP and superoxide dismutase levels, reduced reactive oxygen species and malonaldehyde levels, and restored mitochondrial membrane potential. Histological examinations confirmed the modulation of the PARP1/AIFM1 axis by Nec-1, mitigating HF.

CONCLUSIONS

iPSC-derived exosomes carrying Nec-1 attenuate oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in HF by targeting the PARP1/AIFM1 axis. This study proposes a promising therapeutic strategy for HF management and highlights the potential of exosome-mediated drug delivery.

Benzoylaconine Protects Skeletal Muscle Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Through Activation of IF1-Dependent AMPK/Nrf2 Axis

Background

Aconitum carmichaelii (Fuzi) has been conventionally used to cure a variety of ailments, such as pain, cold sensations, and numbness of limb muscles (Bi Zheng) in China. Our prior investigations identified Benzoylaconine (BAC) as a bioactive alkaloid derived from Aconitum carmichaelii, with other studies also demonstrating its significant pharmacological potential.

Purpose

This study aimed to explore the potential of BAC as a protective agent against skeletal muscle ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

In vivo models involved subjecting Sprague-Dawley rats to I/R through femoral artery ligation followed by reperfusion, while in vitro models utilized C2C12 cells subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). CCK-8 assay was used to assess cell viability. TUNEL staining and flow cytometric analysis were used to measure cell apoptosis. Biochemical assay was used to assess skeletal muscle injury and oxidative stress. Immunofluorescence and Western blot were performed to determine protein levels.

Results

BAC effectively protected muscle tissue from I/R injury, enhancing cell viability (p<0.01), elevating SOD levels (p<0.05), and reducing CK (p<0.01), LDH (p<0.01), ROS (p<0.01), MDA (p<0.01), and apoptosis-related molecules in vivo and in vitro (p<0.05, p<0.01). Mechanistically, BAC increased the expression of IF1, phosphorylated AMPK, facilitated the translocation of nuclear Nrf2, and induced the expression of HO-1 (p<0.01). Notably, AMPK inhibitor Compound C significantly hindered the ability of BAC to ameliorate H/R-induced cell injury (p<0.05), oxidative stress(p<0.01), and apoptosis (p<0.05), as well as promote Nrf2 nuclear translocation (p<0.01). Moreover, silencing of IF1 with siRNA abolished BAC-induced activation of AMPK/Nrf2 axis (p<0.01).

Conclusion

Our study provides novel evidence supporting the potential of BAC as a myocyte-protective agent against I/R injury, and we establish a previously unknown mechanism involving the activation of the IF1-dependent AMPK/Nrf2 axis in mediating the protective effects of BAC.

System pharmacology-based determination of the functional components and mechanisms in chronic heart failure treatment: an example of Zhenwu decoction

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is the primary cause of death among patients with cardiovascular diseases, representing the advanced stage in the development of several cardiovascular conditions. Zhenwu decoction (ZWD) has gained widespread recognition as an efficacious remedy for CHF due to its potent therapeutic properties and absence of adverse effects. Nevertheless, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying its actions remain elusive. This study endeavors to unravel the intricate pharmacological underpinnings of five herbs within ZWD concerning CHF through an integrated approach. Initially, pertinent data regarding ZWD and CHF were compiled from established databases, forming the foundation for constructing an intricate network of active component-target interactions. Subsequently, a pioneering method for evaluating node significance was formulated, culminating in the creation of core functional association space (CFAS). To discern vital components, a novel dynamic programming algorithm was devised and used to determine the core component group (CCG) within the CFAS. Enrichment analysis of the CCG targets unveiled the potential coordinated molecular mechanisms of ZWD, illuminating its capacity to ameliorate CHF by modulating genes and related signaling pathways involved in pathological remodeling. Notable pathways encompass PI3K-Akt, diabetic cardiomyopathy, cAMP and MAPK signaling. Concluding the computational analyses, in vitro experiments were executed to assess the effects of vanillic acid, paradol, 10-gingerol and methyl cinnamate. Remarkably, these compounds demonstrated efficacy in reducing the production of ANP and BNP within isoprenaline-induced AC 16 cells, further validating their potential therapeutic utility. This investigation underscores the efficacy of the proposed model in enhancing the precision and reliability of CCG selection within ZWD, thereby presenting a novel avenue for mechanistic inquiries, compound refinement and the secondary development of TCM herbs.

Mechanism of tonifying-kidney Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of chronic heart failure

According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), chronic heart failure has the basic pathological characteristics of “heart-kidney yang deficiency.” Chronic heart failure with heart- and kidney-Yang deficiency has good overlap with New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes III and IV. Traditional Chinese medicine classical prescriptions for the treatment of chronic heart failure often take “warming and tonifying kidney-Yang” as the core, supplemented by herbal compositions with functions of “promoting blood circulation and dispersing blood stasis.” Nowadays, there are still many classical and folk prescriptions for chronic heart failure treatment, such as Zhenwu decoction, Bushen Huoxue decoction, Shenfu decoction, Sini decoction, as well as Qili Qiangxin capsule. This review focuses on classical formulations and their active constituents that play a key role in preventing chronic heart failure by suppressing inflammation and modulating immune and neurohumoral factors. In addition, given that mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming has intimate relation with inflammation, cardiac hypertrophy, and fibrosis, the regulatory role of classical prescriptions and their active components in metabolic reprogramming, including glycolysis and lipid β-oxidation, is also presented. Although the exact mechanism is unknown, the classical TCM prescriptions still have good clinical effects in treating chronic heart failure. This review will provide a modern pharmacological explanation for its mechanism and offer evidence for clinical medication by combining TCM syndrome differentiation with chronic heart failure clinical stages.