AIM:To study the mechanism of ac-tion of radix angelica sinensis and astragalus mong-holicus extract(RAS-AM)in inhibiting fibroblast transdifferentiation(CMT)and preventing radiation-induced myocardial fibrosis(RIMF)via the Jagged1/Notch1 pathway.METHODS:Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,benazepril hydrochloride group,low dose RAS-AM group,medium dose RAS-AM group,and high dose RAS-AM group,with 10 rats in each group.Except for the blank group,all other groups were induced with high-energy radiation at a dose of 38 Gy to establish RIMF models.The blank group and the model group received sterile distilled water by gavage,and the other groups received medica-tion for 4 weeks of intervention:benazepril hydro-chloride group(1.0 mg·kg-1·d-1),low dose RAS-AM group(150 mg·kg-1·d-1),medium dose RAS-AM group(300 mg·kg-1·d-1),and high dose RAS-AM group(600 mg·kg-1·d-1).The general condition of rats,the ultrastructure of myocardial tissue were observed using electron microscopy,changes in myocardial tissue fibers using Masson staining,and CMT related protein Vimentin and α-SMA expres-sion using immunohistochemical staining tech-niques.ELISA was used to detect serum inflammato-ry factors IL-6 and TNF-α in rats.The levels of cTnI and ST2,and the expression of Jagged1 and Notch1 were detected by Western blot.RESULTS:Com-pared with the blank group,the model group rats exhibited symptoms such as mental fatiguem an-orexiam and loose stools;The arrangement of some myofibrils in the myocardium is disordered,with dis-solution and breakage of myofibrilsm abnormal Z-line structure in some partsm disordered mitochon-drial arrangement,rupture of mitochondrial mem-branem,and rupture or disappearance of mitochon-drial ridge structure in some parts.A large amount of collagen fibers proliferate and deposit in the myo-cardium,and the fibrotic area significantly increases(P<0.01);The expression of myocardial tissue Vi-mentin α-SMA protein increased(P<0.05),while the expression of Jagged1 and Notch1 proteins de-creased(P<0.05);serum IL-6 and TNF-α,the expres-sion of inflammatory factors such as cTnI and ST2 in-creased(P<0.05).compared with the model group,the RAS-AM and benazepril hydrochloride groups showed varying degrees of improvement in general conditions;the pathological changes of myocardial ultrastructure have been improved,and myocardial fibrosis has been alleviated;The area of collagen fi-bers significantly decreased(P<0.01);Myocardial tis-sue Vimentin α-SMA protein expression decreased(P<0.05),while Jagged1 and Notch1 expression in-creased(P<0.05);Serum IL-6 and TNF-α,The expres-sion of inflammatory factors such as cTnI and ST2 decreased(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:RAS-AM may al-leviate RIMF by intervening in the Jagged1/Notch1 pathway to inhibit CMT.The specific mechanism still needs further investigation

AIM:To study the mechanism of ac-tion of radix angelica sinensis and astragalus mong-holicus extract(RAS-AM)in inhibiting fibroblast transdifferentiation(CMT)and preventing radiation-induced myocardial fibrosis(RIMF)via the Jagged1/Notch1 pathway.METHODS:Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,benazepril hydrochloride group,low dose RAS-AM group,medium dose RAS-AM group,and high dose RAS-AM group,with 10 rats in each group.Except for the blank group,all other groups were induced with high-energy radiation at a dose of 38 Gy to establish RIMF models.The blank group and the model group received sterile distilled water by gavage,and the other groups received medica-tion for 4 weeks of intervention:benazepril hydro-chloride group(1.0 mg·kg-1·d-1),low dose RAS-AM group(150 mg·kg-1·d-1),medium dose RAS-AM group(300 mg·kg-1·d-1),and high dose RAS-AM group(600 mg·kg-1·d-1).The general condition of rats,the ultrastructure of myocardial tissue were observed using electron microscopy,changes in myocardial tissue fibers using Masson staining,and CMT related protein Vimentin and α-SMA expres-sion using immunohistochemical staining tech-niques.ELISA was used to detect serum inflammato-ry factors IL-6 and TNF-α in rats.The levels of cTnI and ST2,and the expression of Jagged1 and Notch1 were detected by Western blot.RESULTS:Com-pared with the blank group,the model group rats exhibited symptoms such as mental fatiguem an-orexiam and loose stools;The arrangement of some myofibrils in the myocardium is disordered,with dis-solution and breakage of myofibrilsm abnormal Z-line structure in some partsm disordered mitochon-drial arrangement,rupture of mitochondrial mem-branem,and rupture or disappearance of mitochon-drial ridge structure in some parts.A large amount of collagen fibers proliferate and deposit in the myo-cardium,and the fibrotic area significantly increases(P<0.01);The expression of myocardial tissue Vi-mentin α-SMA protein increased(P<0.05),while the expression of Jagged1 and Notch1 proteins de-creased(P<0.05);serum IL-6 and TNF-α,the expres-sion of inflammatory factors such as cTnI and ST2 in-creased(P<0.05).compared with the model group,the RAS-AM and benazepril hydrochloride groups showed varying degrees of improvement in general conditions;the pathological changes of myocardial ultrastructure have been improved,and myocardial fibrosis has been alleviated;The area of collagen fi-bers significantly decreased(P<0.01);Myocardial tis-sue Vimentin α-SMA protein expression decreased(P<0.05),while Jagged1 and Notch1 expression in-creased(P<0.05);Serum IL-6 and TNF-α,The expres-sion of inflammatory factors such as cTnI and ST2 decreased(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:RAS-AM may al-leviate RIMF by intervening in the Jagged1/Notch1 pathway to inhibit CMT.The specific mechanism still needs further investigation

Radiation-induced heart disease(RIHD)is a severe complication in patients with thoracic cancer undergoing radiotherapy,with important impacts on long-term survival among cancer survivors.There is an urgent need to investigate the pathogenesis of RIHD and to develop effective therapeutic agents,and the establishment of high-quality RIHD animal models is pivotal to addressing these issues.This review summarizes the critical factors to consider in establishing RIHD animal models,including species selection,radiation type,dosage,fractionation,and target fields,and modeling timeline,along with the evaluation method and success criteria.We also consider the potential pathogenic mechanisms underlying RIHD,including DNA damage,oxidative stress,inflammatory responses,mitochondrial dysfunction,renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activation,and myocardial fibrosis,as well as their interrelationships.These insights provide a comprehensive reference framework for constructing RIHD animal models and advancing mechanistic investigations into this condition.

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)injury refers to the irreversible cardiac damage and cardio-myocyte apoptosis that occur upon the restoration of blood flow following ischemia in ischemic heart disease(IHD).Given its high incidence,elevated mortality rate,and poor clinical outcomes,the prevention and treatment of I/R injury are of considerable clinical significance.Mitochondrial dynamics dysfunction,characterized by abnormalities in mitochondrial morphology,fission,and fusion,has emerged as a critical pathological feature.Evidence indicates that correcting these dysfunctions can enhance myocardial energy metabolism,mitigate oxidative stress,calcium overload,and inflammatory responses,and inhibit the pathological opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore and vascular remodeling.These effects position mitochondrial dynamics as a promising therapeutic target for IHD and I/R injury.This paper ex-plores the pathophysiological mechanisms by which mitochondrial dynamics dysfunction in cardiomyocytes,vascular endo-thelial cells,and vascular smooth muscle cells contributes to the development and progression of I/R injury,aiming to of-fer novel insights into its prevention and treatment.

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)injury refers to the irreversible cardiac damage and cardio-myocyte apoptosis that occur upon the restoration of blood flow following ischemia in ischemic heart disease(IHD).Given its high incidence,elevated mortality rate,and poor clinical outcomes,the prevention and treatment of I/R injury are of considerable clinical significance.Mitochondrial dynamics dysfunction,characterized by abnormalities in mitochondrial morphology,fission,and fusion,has emerged as a critical pathological feature.Evidence indicates that correcting these dysfunctions can enhance myocardial energy metabolism,mitigate oxidative stress,calcium overload,and inflammatory responses,and inhibit the pathological opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore and vascular remodeling.These effects position mitochondrial dynamics as a promising therapeutic target for IHD and I/R injury.This paper ex-plores the pathophysiological mechanisms by which mitochondrial dynamics dysfunction in cardiomyocytes,vascular endo-thelial cells,and vascular smooth muscle cells contributes to the development and progression of I/R injury,aiming to of-fer novel insights into its prevention and treatment.

Radiation-induced heart disease(RIHD)is a severe complication in patients with thoracic cancer undergoing radiotherapy,with important impacts on long-term survival among cancer survivors.There is an urgent need to investigate the pathogenesis of RIHD and to develop effective therapeutic agents,and the establishment of high-quality RIHD animal models is pivotal to addressing these issues.This review summarizes the critical factors to consider in establishing RIHD animal models,including species selection,radiation type,dosage,fractionation,and target fields,and modeling timeline,along with the evaluation method and success criteria.We also consider the potential pathogenic mechanisms underlying RIHD,including DNA damage,oxidative stress,inflammatory responses,mitochondrial dysfunction,renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activation,and myocardial fibrosis,as well as their interrelationships.These insights provide a comprehensive reference framework for constructing RIHD animal models and advancing mechanistic investigations into this condition.

Acute myocardial infarction(AMI)is a common cardiovascular emergency in clinic.Early reperfusion is a typical and effective method for the treatment of AMI.However,the recovery of blood supply after reperfusion therapy will accelerate the damage of ischemic myocardium and cause myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MI/RI).In recent years,studies have found that TCM has the unique advantages of multi-component,multi-channel and multi-target in the intervention of MI/RI.Janus tyrosine kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription(JAK/STAT)signaling pathway is closely related to MI/RI,which can reduce MI/RI process by regulating inflammation,oxidative stress,cell proliferation,differentiation and apoptosis.This article reviewed the mechanism of JAK/STAT signaling pathway in MI/RI and the research of TCM targeting this pathway,in order to provide references for the prevention and treatment of MI/RI and further drug development.

Myocardial injury is a pathological change of myocardium caused by many factors,which can lead to the decline of cardiac function and the occurrence of cardiovascular events.Astragaloside Ⅳ is one of the main pharmacological components in Astragali Radix,which plays an anti-myocardial injury role by regulating various signaling pathways.This article reviewed the anti-myocardial injury mechanism of astragaloside Ⅳ from five aspects:inhibition of oxidative stress,inhibition of apoptosis,anti-myocardial fibrosis,improvement of myocardial energy metabolism and inhibition of myocardium inflammation,in order to provide reference for the mechanism research and clinical application of astragaloside Ⅳ in the prevention and treatment of myocardial injury.

AIM:To explore the potential targets and mechanisms of Angelica sinensis and Astraga-lus membranaceus ultrafiltration(RAS-AM)in the treatment of radiation induced myocardial fibrosis(RIMF)through network pharmacology combined experimental validation.METHODS:Using the TC-MSP database TCM@TAIWAN The Taiwan Tradition-al Chinese Medicine Database and TCMID Tradition-al Chinese Medicine Database screen the compo-nents and targets of RAS-AM,and use the Swiss Target Prediction database for target prediction.Obtain RIMF disease targets from Gene Cards and OMIM databases,obtain intersection targets of dis-eases and drugs through Wayne's online tool,ob-tain protein interaction relationships(PPIs)through STRING database,and use Cytoscape 3.9.1 soft-ware to construct a visualized network topology di-agram of"drug component target disease".Con-duct GO and KEGG enrichment analysis on core tar-gets through the David database,and use the mi-crobiome platform for mapping.Experimental veri-fication:Sixty Wistar rats were randomly divided in-to a blank group,a model group,a positive drug group,a RAS-AM low-dose group,a RAS-AM medi-um dose group,and a RAS-AM high-dose group.A RIMF model was established using a 38Gy dose of radiation induction,and was administered orally for 4 weeks.The general condition of the rats was also observed.After blood and heart collection in rats,HE staining was used to observe the morpho-logical changes of myocardial tissue,and ELISA and Western blot methods were used to detect key tar-gets for network pharmacology prediction.RE-SULTS:Network pharmacology analysis revealed 34 active components and 705 targets of Angelica si-nensis and Astragalus membranaceus ultrafiltra-tion,with a total of 154 targets,with IL-6,VEGFA,MMP2,MMP9,and ACE as the top five core tar-gets;GO enrichment analysis screened a total of 153 entries,and KEGG enrichment had 25 path-ways.Experimental part:HE staining results showed that the degeneration and necrosis of myo-cardial cells improved in each medication group,the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the myocar-dial interstitium decreased,and the proliferation of fibrous connective tissue in the myocardial intersti-tium decreased.ELISA and Western blot results showed that compared with the normal group,the expression of IL-6,VEGFA,and MMP-9 in the mod-el group increased.Compared with the model groupthe expression of IL-6,VEGFA,and MMP-9 in each medication group decreased to varying de-grees,in a dose-dependent manner.CONCLUSION:RAS-AM may inhibit RIMF by downregulating core targets such as IL-6,VEGFA protein,MMP-9 pro-tein,and regulating inflammatory pathways,colla-gen degradation,and other processes.

Objective To observe the effects of Angelica Sinensis Radix and Astragali Radix extract(ASR-AR)on HUVEC pyroptosis;To explore its mechanism of treating coronary microvascular disease.Methods HUVEC were divided into blank group,model group,MCC950 group,ASR-AR low-,medium-and high-dosage groups.After modeling and treatment with drug containing serum,cell viability was detected by CCK-8 method,and cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry,phalloidin staining was used to detect cytoskeletal morphology,immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expressions of VEGF,eNOS,Ang-2,ROS,ET-1 and TXA2,ELISA was used to detect the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in cell supernatant,Western blot was used to detect the expressions of NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1 and GSDMD protein in cells.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group showed a decrease in HUVEC cell viability(P<0.01)and an increase in cell apoptosis rate(P<0.01),cellular microfilament structure was in disorder and knotting,the expressions of VEGF and eNOS decreased,and expressions of Ang-2,ROS,ET-1 and TXA2 increased,the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in cell supernatant increased(P<0.01),and the expressions of NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1 and GSDMD protein in cells increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,ASR-AR low-,medium-and high-dosage containing serum could increase cell viability(P<0.05),decrease cell apoptosis rate(P<0.05),improve cell microfilament structure,elevate VEGF and eNOS expressions,decrease Ang-2,ROS,ET-1,TXA2 expressions,reduce IL-1β and IL-18 contents in cell supernatant(P<0.05),and decrease NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1 and GSDMD protein expressions(P<0.05).ASR-AR medium-dosage group was more obvious(P<0.05).Conclusion ASR-AR can inhibit pyroptosis of HUVEC induced by AngⅡ,attenuate endothelial cell dysfunction,thus treating coronary microvascular disease,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the assembly of NLRP3 inflammasome.