Elucidation of the Molecular Mechanism of Compound Danshen Dripping Pills against Angina Pectoris based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking.

BACKGROUND: Compound Danshen dripping pills (CDDP), a traditional Chinese medicine, has had an extensive application in the treatment of angina pectoris (AP) in China. However, research on the bioactive ingredients and underlying mechanisms of CDDP in AP remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we explored the major chemical components and potential molecular mechanisms linked to the anti-angina effects of CDDP through the application of network pharmacology and molecular docking. METHODS: The potential targets of active ingredients in CDDP were sourced from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database (TCMSP) and the Swiss Target Prediction Database (STPD). Additionally, targets related to angina pectoris (AP) were retrieved from various databases, including Gene Cards, DisGeNET, Dis Genet, the Drug Bank database (DBD), and the Therapeutic Target Database (TDD). Protein- protein interaction networks were also established, and core targets were identified based on their topological significance. GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis were conducted using the R software. Interactions between active ingredients and potential targets selected through the above process were investigated through molecular docking. RESULTS: Seventy-six active ingredients were selected with the following criteria: OB ≥ 30%, DL ≥ 0.18. 383 targets of CDDP and 1488 targets on AP were gathered, respectively. Afterwards, 194 common targets of CDDP and anti-AP targets were defined, of which 12 were core targets. GO enrichment analysis indicated that CDDP acted on AP by response to lipopolysaccharide, regulating the reactive oxygen species and metal ion metabolism, and epithelial cell proliferation. In addition, KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that the signaling pathways were notably enriched in lipid and atherosclerosis, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, IL-17 signaling pathway, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and TNF signaling pathway. Moreover, the molecular docking manifested excellent binding capacity between the active ingredients and targets on AP. CONCLUSION: This study comprehensively illustrated the bioactive, potential targets, and molecular mechanisms of CDDP against AP, offering fresh perspectives into the molecular mechanisms of CDDP in preventing and treating AP.

Distribution Analysis of Salvianolic Acids in Myocardial Ischemic Pig Tissues by Automated Liquid Extraction Surface Analysis Coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

The distribution of active compounds of traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Chinese name: Danshen) in vivo was determined by establishing a liquid extraction surface analysis coupled with the tandem mass spectrometry (LESA-MS/MS) method. Stability analysis and distribution analysis were designed in the present study using normal animals or a myocardial ischemia model. The model assessment was performed four weeks after surgery, and then three groups were created: a normal-dose group, a model-blank group, and a model-dose group. Meanwhile, Danshen decoction administration began in dose groups and lasted for four weeks. In stability analysis, four salvianolic acids-Danshensu (DSS), caffeic acid (CAA), rosmarinic acid (RA), and salvianolic acid A (SAA)-in kidney tissues from the normal-dose group were detected by LESA-MS/MS under four conditions, and then distribution analysis was conducted in different tissues using the same method. Ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) in animals from two model groups decreased significantly four weeks after surgery (P < 0.01) and were improved after four weeks of Danshen decoction administration (P < 0.01). Results of stability analysis demonstrated that this method was basically stable since there were no significant differences in signal intensities of DSS, CAA, and SAA under four conditions (P > 0.05). Distribution analysis showed the signal intensities of DSS in the liver and kidney and SAA in the heart were higher in the model-dose group than in the normal-dose group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Signal intensities of RA in the liver and kidney, and SAA in the liver were lower in the model-dose group compared with the normal-dose group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In conclusion, Danshen decoction has the effect of improving the ischemic condition in a chronic myocardial ischemia model, and the content of two active compounds increased in the targets. These findings contribute to an understanding of the therapeutic role of Danshen in cardiovascular disease.

Time Course of the Effects of Buxin Yishen Decoction in Promoting Heart Function and Inhibiting the Progression of Renal Fibrosis in Myocardial Infarction Caused Type 2 Cardiorenal Syndrome Rats.

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine-Buxin Yishen decoction (BXYS) on type 2 cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) caused by myocardial infarction and explore the possible mechanism BXYS works. A chronic heart failure (CHF) rat model induced by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation was used and five groups were created that included a sham group, a CHF model group, a fosinopril group, a BXYS (0.4 g/kg) group and a BXYS (0.8 g/kg) group. Heart function, renal hemodynamics, neuroendocrine factors, serum, and urine concentration of soluble form connective tissue growth factor (sCTGF), expression of CTGF mRNA, CTGF, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) in renal tissues were evaluated after 28 days and 60 days of drug administration. Histological analysis of kidney tissues was also performed. In vitro experiments were designed to verify the results of in vivo experiments by detecting factors including CTGF, α-SMA, in NRK-52E cells. Rats with CHF showed obvious pathophysiological changes including: altered renal hemodynamic parameters; dysregulated heart function; changes to serum concentrations of angiotensin II (AngII), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), C-reactive protein (CRP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP); high serum and urine sCTGF concentration; high CTGF mRNA, CTGF, α-SMA and LRP expression in renal tissues; increased extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and fibrosis in renal tissues. Treatment of BXYS was correlated with a restoration of heart function and improvement of renal hemodynamics, lower serum and urine sCTGF, lower CTGF mRNA, CTGF, α-SMA and LRP expression in renal tissues and lower ECM deposition. In addition, in vitro experiments showed that treatment with BXYS reduced the α-SMA and LRP concentration in NRK-52E cells, which were similar in vivo experiments. In conclusion, the current study provided evidences that BXYS played a role in improving heart function and delaying the progress of renal fibrosis. Meanwhile, the CTGF-LRP pathway might be one of the therapeutic targets for myocardial infarction caused type 2 CRS which showed a positive change after BXYS treatment and is worthy of further exploration.