Efficacy evaluation of Buyang Huanwu Decoction in the treatment of ischemic stroke in the recovery period: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Traditional Chinese medicines treat ischemic stroke and their main bioactive constituents and mechanisms

Ischemic stroke (IS) remains one of the leading causes of death and disability in humans. Unfortunately, none of the treatments effectively provide functional benefits to patients with IS, although many do so by targeting different aspects of the ischemic cascade response. The advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in preventing and treating IS are obvious in terms of early treatment and global coordination. The efficacy of TCM and its bioactive constituents has been scientifically proven over the past decades. Based on clinical trials, this article provides a review of commonly used TCM patent medicines and herbal decoctions indicated for IS. In addition, this paper also reviews the mechanisms of bioactive constituents in TCM for the treatment of IS in recent years, both domestically and internationally. A comprehensive review of preclinical and clinical studies will hopefully provide new ideas to address the threat of IS.

Integrative transcriptomic and network pharmacology analysis reveals the neuroprotective role of BYHWD through enhancing autophagy by inhibiting Ctsb in intracerebral hemorrhage mice

BACKGROUND

In this study, we aimed to combine transcriptomic and network pharmacology to explore the crucial mRNAs and specific regulatory molecules of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) treatment.

METHODS

C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups: sham, ICH, and BYHWD. BYHWD (43.29 g/kg) was administered once a day for 7 days. An equal volume of double-distilled water was used as a control. Behavioural and histopathological experiments were conducted to confirm the neuroprotective effects of BYHWD. Brain tissues were collected for transcriptomic detection. Bioinformatics analysis were performed to illustrate the target gene functions. Network pharmacology was used to predict potential targets for BYHWD. Next, transcriptomic assays were combined with network pharmacology to identify the potential differentially expressed mRNAs. Immunofluorescence staining, real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and transmission electron microscopy were performed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

RESULTS

BYHWD intervention in ICH reduced neurological deficits. Network pharmacology analysis identified 203 potential therapeutic targets for ICH, whereas transcriptomic assay revealed 109 differentially expressed mRNAs post-ICH. Among these, cathepsin B, ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 1, toll-like receptor 4, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 12, and baculoviral IAP repeat-containing 5 were identified as potential target mRNAs through the integration of transcriptomics and network pharmacology approaches. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that the beneficial effects of BYHWD in ICH may be associated with apoptosis, animal autophagy signal pathways, and PI3K-Akt and mTOR biological processes. Furthermore, BYHWD intervention decreased Ctsb expression levels and increased autophagy levels in ICH.

CONCLUSIONS

Animal experiments in combination with bioinformatics analysis confirmed that BYHWD plays a neuroprotective role in ICH by regulating Ctsb to enhance autophagy.

Protective effects of paeoniflorin on cardiovascular diseases: A pharmacological and mechanistic overview

Background and ethnopharmacological relevance: The morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the highest of all diseases, necessitating the search for effective drugs and the improvement of prognosis for CVD patients. Paeoniflorin (5beta-[(Benzoyloxy)methyl] tetrahydro-5-hydroxy-2-methyl-2,5-methano-1H-3,4-dioxacyclobuta [cd] pentalen-1alpha (2H)-yl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, C₂₃H₂₈O₁₁) is mostly derived from the plants of the family Paeoniaceae (a single genus family) and is known to possess multiple pharmacological properties in the treatment of CVDs, making it a promising agent for the protection of the cardiovascular system. Aim of the study: This review evaluates the pharmacological effects and potential mechanisms of paeoniflorin in the treatment of CVDs, with the aim of advancing its further development and application. Methods: Various relevant literatures were searched in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and Web of Science. All eligible studies were analyzed and summarized in this review. Results: Paeoniflorin is a natural drug with great potential for development, which can protect the cardiovascular system by regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, exerting anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, and anti-arteriosclerotic activities, improving cardiac function, and inhibiting cardiac remodeling. However, paeoniflorin was found to have low bioavailability, and its toxicology and safety must be further studied and analyzed, and clinical studies related to it must be carried out. Conclusion: Before paeoniflorin can be used as an effective therapeutic drug for CVDs, further in-depth experimental research, clinical trials, and structural modifications or development of new preparations are required.