1
|
Xia KR, Zhang XY, Zhang HQ, Su KL, Shang EX, Xiao QL, Li WW, Guo S, Duan JA, Liu P. Network pharmacology analysis and experimental verification of the antithrombotic active compounds of trichosanthis pericarpium (Gualoupi) in treating coronary heart disease. J Ethnopharmacol 2024; 329:118158. [PMID: 38614263 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Trichosanthis pericarpium (TP; Gualoupi, pericarps of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to reduce heat, resolve phlegm, promote Qi, and clear chest congestion. It is also an essential herbal ingredient in the "Gualou Xiebai" formula first recorded by Zhang Zhongjing (from the Eastern Han Dynasty) in the famous TCM classic "Jin-Guì-Yào-Lüe" for treating chest impediments. According to its traditional description, Gualou Xiebai is indicated for symptoms of chest impediments, which correspond to coronary heart diseases (CHD). AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to identify the antithrombotic compounds in Gualoupi for the treatment of CHD. MATERIALS AND METHODS A CHD rat model was established with a combination of high-fat diet and isoproterenol hydrochloride (ISO) administration via subcutaneous multi-point injection in the back of the neck. This model was used to evaluate the antithrombotic effect of two mainstream cultivars of TP ("HaiShi GuaLou" and "WanLou") by analyzing the main components and their effects. Network pharmacology, molecular docking-based studies, and a zebrafish (Danio rerio) thrombosis model induced by phenylhydrazine was used to validate the antithrombosis components of TP. RESULTS TP significantly reduced the body weight of the CHD rats, improved myocardial ischemia, and reduced collagen deposition and fibrosis around the infarcted tissue. It reduced thrombosis in a dose-dependent manner and significantly reduced inflammation and oxidative stress damage. Cynaroside, isoquercitrin, rutin, citrulline, and arginine were identified as candidate active TP compounds with antithrombotic effects. The key potential targets of TP in thrombosis treatment were initially identified by molecular docking-based analysis, which showed that the candidate active compounds have a strong binding affinity to the potential targets (protein kinase C alpha type [PKCα], protein kinase C beta type [PKCβ], von Willebrand factor [vWF], and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 1 [PTGS1], fibrinogen alpha [Fga], fibrinogen beta [Fgb], fibrinogen gamma [Fgg], coagulation factor II [F2], and coagulation factor VII [F7]). In addition, the candidate active compounds reduced thrombosis, improved oxidative stress damage, and down-regulated the expression of thrombosis-related genes (PKCα, PKCβ, vWF, PTGS1, Fga, Fgb, Fgg, F2, and F7) in the zebrafish model. CONCLUSION Cynaroside, isoquercitrin, rutin, citrulline, and arginine were identified as the active antithrombotic compounds of TP used to treat CHD. Mechanistically, the active compounds were found to be involved in oxidative stress injury, platelet activation pathway, and complement and coagulation cascade pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Rou Xia
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Zhang
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Third Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
| | - Huang-Qin Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Third Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China.
| | - Ke-Lei Su
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Third Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
| | - Er-Xin Shang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Qing-Ling Xiao
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Third Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
| | - Wei-Wen Li
- Institute of Horticulture, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Sheng Guo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jin-Ao Duan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Pei Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.
| |
Collapse
|