We aim to investigate the therapeutic effects of QSYQ, a drug of heart failure (HF) in clinical practice in China, on a rat heart failure (HF) model. 3 groups were divided: HF model group (LAD ligation), QSYQ group (LAD ligation and treated with QSYQ), and sham-operated group. After 4 weeks, rats were sacrificed for cardiac injury measurements. Rats with HF showed obvious histological changes including necrosis and inflammation foci, elevated ventricular remodeling markers levels(matrix metalloproteinases-2, MMP-2), deregulated ejection fraction (EF) value, increased formation of oxidative stress (Malondialdehyde, MDA), and up-regulated levels of apoptotic cells (caspase-3, p53 and tunnel) in myocardial tissue. Treatment of QSYQ improved cardiac remodeling through counter-acting those events. The improvement of QSYQ was accompanied with a restoration of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) and NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) pathways in different patterns. Administration of QSYQ could attenuate LAD-induced HF, and AngII-NOX2-ROS-MMPs pathway seemed to be the critical potential targets for QSYQ to reduce the remodeling. Moreover, NOX4 was another key targets to inhibit the p53 and Caspase3, thus to reduce the hypertrophy and apoptosis, and eventually provide a synergetic cardiac protective effect.

Our previous studies have demonstrated a protective role of Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu capsule in atherosclerosis (AS); however, the molecular mechanisms are unclear.

The aim of this paper was to investigate whether the effects of QSYQ on CHD are associated with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). The formula groups were lavaged with QSYQ, using fosinopril sodium as a control. The level of RAAS components in the myocardial tissue was measured, respectively. The results showed that both QSYQ and fosinopril sodium can improve the ejection fraction in CHD and that QSYQ decreases the left ventricular end-systolic diameter and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, while fosinopril sodium has no effects on these parameters. Fosinopril sodium, as an ACE inhibitor, downregulated ACE expression and eventually reduced the tissue AngII concentration but had no effect on ACE2. Moreover, it had no effect on renin or AT2, while QSYQ significantly decreased the level of renin and expression of AngII in myocardial tissue. The results also revealed that QSYQ can act on both AT1 and AT2, thus, blocking the effect of AngII and increasing the level of ACE2. It also downregulated the levels of TGF-β and MMP-9, but it had no effect on ACE. This study showed that the ameliorative effects of QSYQ on CHD in rats had multiple targets associated with the inhibition of RAAS, thus, producing cardioprotective therapy effects.

Huang-Lian-Jie-Du Decoction (HLJDD), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is proven to have ameliorative effects on learning and memory deficits of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The current study aims to reveal the underlying mechanism of HLJDD in the treatment of AD by simultaneous determination on the regulation of HLJDD on oxidative stress, neurotransmitters, and AMPK-SIRT1 pathway in AD. AD model rat was successfully established by injection of D-galactose and Aβ 25-35-ibotenic acid. Morris Water Maze (MWM) test was used to evaluate the success of AD modelling. On this basis, an advanced technique with UPLC-QqQ MS/MS was built up and applied to determine the levels of 8 neurotransmitters in rat plasma. Significant alternation in methionine, glutamine, and tryptophan was observed in AD rats' plasma after the administration of HLJDD, relative to the model group. Meanwhile, HLJDD could upregulate the levels of SOD, GSH-Px, AMPK, and SIRT1 and downregulate the content of MDA in the peripheral system of the AD rats. The underlying therapeutic mechanism of HLJDD for the treatment of AD was associated with alleviating oxidation stress, inflammation, neurotransmitters, and energy metabolism. These data provide solid foundation for the potential use of HLJDD to treat AD.

The purpose of this study is to explore the mechanism of the Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu (ZL) capsule in the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) via targeting ferroptosis based on network pharmacology.

Cryptotanshinone (CPT), an active component extracted from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, exhibits extensive favorable bioactive properties including anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antibacterial, and antitumor effects. This study aims to investigate the effects of CPT on osteogenesis and explore related mechanisms both in vivo and in vitro.

To examine how Jiang-Zhi-Ning (JZN) regulates cholesterol metabolism and compare the role of its four main components. We established a beagle model of hyperlipidemia, fed with JZN extract and collected JZN-containing serum 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 h later. Human liver cells Bel-7402 were stimulated with 10% JZN-containing serum as well as the four main components of JZN and Atorvastatin. The mRNA expression of LDL receptor (LDL-R), 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoAR), cytochrome P450 7A1 (CYP7A1), and acetyl-Coenzyme A acetyltransferase 2 (ACAT2) was measured by real-time PCR. LDL-R surface expression and LDL-binding and internalization were examined by flow cytometry. The results showed that JZN-containing serum significantly increased the mRNA expression of LDL-R, HMG-CoAR, and CYP7A1 in Bel-7402 cells. All the four components significantly increased the mRNA and protein expression of LDL-R and HMG-CoAR and decreased the mRNA and protein expression of ACAT2 in Bel-7402 cells. Hyperinand chrysophanol also markedly increased the mRNA expression of CYP7A1. Stimulation with stilbene glycosidesignificantly increased the surface expression of LDL-R and the binding and internalization of LDL. In conclusion, JZN and its four components have close relationship with the process of cholesterol metabolism, emphasizing their promising application as new drug candidates in the treatment of hyperlipidemia.

The classical prescription Gualou Guizhi decoction (GL), a mixture of Radix Trichosanthis, Ramulus Cinnamomi, Radix Paeoniae Alba, Radix Glycyrrhizae, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, and Fructus Ziziphus Jujuba, was clinically used in the treatment of limb spasms after stroke and has achieved remarkable therapeutic effects. However, the underlying mechanism still needs to be further explored.