Danshenol A Alleviates Hypertension-Induced Cardiac Remodeling by Ameliorating Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Suppressing Reactive Oxygen Species Production

Network Pharmacology along with Molecular Docking to Explore the Mechanism of Danshen Injection against Anthracycline-induced Cardiotoxicity and Transcriptome Validation

INTRODUCTION

Although anthracyclines have demonstrated efficacy in cancer therapy, their utilization is constrained by cardiotoxicity. In contrast, Danshen injection (DSI), derived from Salvia miltiorrhiza, has a longstanding tradition of being employed to ameliorate cardiovascular ailments, including anthracycline- induced cardiotoxicity (AIC). Nonetheless, there is a notable dearth of comprehensive systematic investigation into the molecular mechanisms underlying DSI's effects on AIC. Consequently, this study was undertaken to explore the underlying mechanism by which DSI acted against AIC.

METHODS

Employing network pharmacology approach, the current investigation undertook a comprehensive analysis of the impact of DSI on AIC, which was further validated by transcriptome sequencing with in vitro AIC model. Additionally, molecular docking was conducted to evaluate the binding of active ingredients to core targets. A total of 3,404 AIC-related targets and 12 active ingredients in DSI, including chrysophanol, luteolin, tanshinone IIA, isoimperatorin, among others, were collected by differentially expressed analysis and database search, respectively.

RESULTS

The network pharmacology and enrichment analysis suggested 102 potential targets and 29 signaling pathways associated with the protective effect of DSI on AIC. Three core targets (CA12, NOS3, and POLH) and calcium signaling pathways were further validated by transcriptomic analysis of the in-vitro model. The high affinity of the active ingredients binding to corresponding targets was confirmed by molecular docking.

CONCLUSION

The present study suggested that DSI might exert a cardioprotective effect on AIC via the inhibition of CA12, NOS3, and POLH, as well as the modulation of calcium signaling. Further experiments are warranted to verify the findings.

Natural Products as Modulators of Mitochondrial Dysfunctions Associated with Cardiovascular Diseases: Advances and Opportunities

The mitochondria have an important role in modulating cell cycle progression, cell survival, and apoptosis. In the adult heart, the cardiac mitochondria have a unique spatial arrangement and occupy nearly one-third the volume of a cardiomyocyte, being highly efficient for converting the products of glucose or fatty acid metabolism into adenosine triphosphate (ATP). In cardiomyocytes, the decline of mitochondrial function reduces ATP generation and increases the production of reactive oxygen species, which generates impaired heart function. This is because mitochondria play a key role in maintaining cytosolic calcium concentration and modulation of muscle contraction, as ATP is required to dissociate actin from myosin. Beyond that, mitochondria have a significant role in cardiomyocyte apoptosis because it is evident that patients who have cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have increased mitochondrial DNA damage to the heart and aorta. Many studies have shown that natural products have mitochondria-modulating effects in cardiac diseases, determining them as potential candidates for new medicines. This review outlines the leading plant secondary metabolites and natural compounds derived from microorganisms as modulators of mitochondrial dysfunctions associated with CVDs.

Mitochondrial miRNA as epigenomic signatures: Visualizing aging-associated heart diseases through a new lens

Aging bears many hard knocks, but heart disorders earn a particular allusion, being the most widespread. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are becoming the biggest concern to mankind due to sundry health conditions directly or indirectly related to heart-linked abnormalities. Scientists know that mitochondria play a critical role in the pathophysiology of cardiac diseases. Both environment and genetics play an essential role in modulating and controlling mitochondrial functions. Even a minor abnormality may prove detrimental to heart function. Advanced age combined with an unhealthy lifestyle can cause most cardiomyocytes to be replaced by fibrotic tissue which upsets the conducting system and leads to arrhythmias. An aging heart encounters far more heart-associated comorbidities than a young heart. Many state-of-the-art technologies and procedures are already being used to prevent and treat heart attacks worldwide. However, it remains a mystery when this heart bomb would explode because it lacks an alarm. This calls for a novel and effective strategy for timely diagnosis and a sure-fire treatment. This review article provides a comprehensive overture of prospective potentials of mitochondrial miRNAs that predict complicated and interconnected pathways concerning heart ailments and signature compilations of relevant miRNAs as biomarkers to plot the role of miRNAs in epigenomics. This article suggests that analysis of DNA methylation patterns in age-associated heart diseases may determine age-impelled biomarkers of heart disease.

MicroRNAs Regulating Mitochondrial Function in Cardiac Diseases

Mitochondria are the key organelles that supply cellular energy. As the most active organ in the body, the energy required to maintain the mechanical function of the heart requires a high quantity of high-quality mitochondria in cardiomyocytes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded noncoding RNAs, approximately 22 nt in length, which play key roles in mediating post-transcriptional gene silencing. Numerous studies have confirmed that miRNAs can participate in the occurrence and development of cardiac diseases by regulating mitochondrial function-related genes and signaling pathways. Therefore, elucidating the crosstalk that occurs between miRNAs and mitochondria is important for the prevention and treatment of cardiac diseases. In this review, we discuss the biogenesis of miRNAs, the miRNA-mediated regulation of major genes involved in the maintenance of mitochondrial function, and the effects of miRNAs on mitochondrial function in cardiac diseases in order to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical prevention and treatment of cardiac disease and the development of new drugs.