Cryopreservation is the primary technique for in vitro preservation of allogeneic tissue. However, its success is often hindered by factors such as low temperature, ischemia, and hypoxia. This study investigated the potential of Sini Decoction, known for its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties, to reduce cryopreservation-induced injury in rats' sciatic nerves. Sini Decoction was prepared according to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and its cytotoxicity on Rsc96 cells was assessed by using the CCK-8 method. Sini Decoction at concentrations of 4, 8, and 16 mg·mL~(-1), termed as low-(SL), medium-(SM), and high-(SH) doses group, was used for cryopreservation of rats' sciatic nerves. A normal control(NC) group and a fresh nerve control(fresh) group were set. Flow cytometry and TUNEL staining were used to detect the apoptosis of neural tissue cells after cryopreservation. Western blot was used to detect the expression of apoptosis-related proteins(Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-8) and nerve regeneration proteins(NGF and BDNF) in vitro after cryopreservation. Oxidative damage of neural tissue after cryopreservation was evaluated by measuring levels of GSH, SOD, MDA, ROS, and ATP. Cryopreserved nerves were then used for allogeneic transplantation. One week after transplantation, CD4~+ and CD8~+ fluorescent double staining assessed inflammatory cell invasion in the transplanted nerve segment, and ELISA evaluated the expression of serum inflammatory factors(IL-1, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) in recipients. Twenty weeks after transplantation, electrophysiology and NF200 neurofilament staining were used to evaluate nerve regeneration. RESULTS:: showed that Sini Decoction at concentrations of below 32 mg·mL~(-1) exhibited no cytotoxicity to Rsc96 cells. During in vitro nerve cryopreservation, Sini Decoction significantly reduced cell apoptosis, ROS, and MDA production compared to the NC group. In the SH group, the protein expression of NGF and BDNF in vitro, as well as ATP, SOD, and GSH production, were significantly increased. In the rejection reaction one week after transplantation, compared to the fresh nerve transplantation group, the SL and SM groups showed reduced CD4~+ and CD8~+ T cell invasion in the transplanted nerve segment and down-regulated IL-1, IFN-γ, and TNF-α expression in recipient serum. Twenty weeks after transplantation, the electrophysiological test results of CMAP, NCV, and NF200 neurofilament protein fluorescent staining in the SM and SH groups were superior to those in the NC and fresh groups. These findings indicate that Sini Decoction offers protective benefits in the cryopreservation of rats' sciatic nerves and holds significant potential for the in vitro preservation of tissue and organs.
Animals ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Rats ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Sciatic Nerve/cytology* ; Cryopreservation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Protective Agents/pharmacology*

This study aims to reveal the correlation between the pharmacokinetics(PK) and pharmacodynamics(PD) of multiple components in Epimedii Folium-Chuanxiong Rhizoma and clarify the pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism of this herb pair in treating osteoarthritis. The Hulth method was used to establish the rat model of osteoarthritis and plasma was collected at various time points after drug administration. The plasma concentrations of multiple components were measured. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure the plasma concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-3, MMP-13, interleukin-1β(IL-1β), nitric oxide(NO), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) as pharmacodynamic indicators. Self-defined weighting coefficients were used to calculate the PK and PD data, and a Sigmoid E_(max) fitting model was used to evaluate the synergistic effect of the compatibility of Epimedii Folium-Chuanxiong Rhizoma. The PK-PD models for Epimedii Folium, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, and Epimedii Folium-Chuanxiong Rhizoma were E=(1.926×C~(2.652))/(0.136 6~(2.652)+C~(2.652)), E=(1.618×C~(345.2))/(0.118 4~(345.2)+C~(345.2)), and E=(2.305×C~(2.786))/(0.240 3~(2.786)+C~(2.786)), respectively. The E_(max) of Epimedii Folium-Chuanxiong Rhizoma was larger than those of the two herbal medicines alone. The EC_(50) of the herb pair was lower than the sum of Epimedii Folium and Chuanxiong Rhizoma alone. The concentrations of MMP-3, MMP-13, IL-1β, NO, and TNF-α were correlated with mass concentrations of multiple components in Epimedii Folium and Chuanxiong Rhizoma, and the compatibility was better than single use. Epimedii Folium, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, and Epimedii Folium-Chuanxiong Rhizoma may play a role in the treatment of osteoarthritis by inhibiting MMP-3, MMP-13, IL-1β, NO, and TNF-α.
Animals ; Rats ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Osteoarthritis/metabolism* ; Epimedium/chemistry* ; Interleukin-1beta/blood* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Nitric Oxide/blood* ; Humans ; Rhizome/chemistry*

This study aims to investigate the scientificity and efficacy of the compatibility of Jinlingzi San from pharmacokinetics. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS) was utilized to determine the plasma concentrations of the active components: toosendanin, tetrahydropalmatine A, and tetrahydropalmatine B at various time points following the gavage of Jinlingzi San and its single medicines in rats. Subsequently, WinNonlin was employed to calculate pertinent pharmacokinetic parameters. The pharmacokinetic parameters in rat plasma were compared between the single medicines and the compound formula of Jinlingzi San. It was discovered that the area under the curve(AUC_(all)) and peak concentrations(C_(max)) of tetrahydropalmatine A, and tetrahydropalmatine B were significantly elevated in the compound formula group compared with the single medicine groups. Conversely, the AUC_(all )and C_(max) of toosendanin notably decreased. Furthermore, the compound formula group had longer mean residence time(MRT) and lower apparent clearance(CL/F) of all three active ingredients than the single medicine groups(P<0.05). These findings indicated that Jinlingzi San enhanced the absorption of tetrahydropalmatine A and tetrahydropalmatine B in vivo, facilitating their pharmacological actions. Concurrently, it inhibited the absorption of toosendanin, thereby preventing potential toxic reactions. Moreover, the compatibility prolonged the residence time of the active ingredients in the body. This study provides a reference for exploring the compatibility rationality of Jinlingzi San.
Animals ; Rats ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Chromatography, Liquid/methods* ; Berberine Alkaloids/blood* ; Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Based on the high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia rat model, this study aimed to evaluate the lipid-lowering effect of Arisaema Cum Bile and explore its mechanisms, providing experimental evidence for its clinical application. Biochemical analysis was used to detect serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), triglycerides(TG), and total cholesterol(TC) to assess the lipid-lowering activity of Arisaema Cum Bile. Additionally, 16S rDNA sequencing and metabolomics techniques were employed to jointly elucidate the lipid-lowering mechanisms of Arisaema Cum Bile. The experimental results showed that high-dose Arisaema Cum Bile(PBA-H) significantly reduced serum ALT, AST, LDL-C, TG, and TC levels(P<0.01), and significantly increased HDL-C levels(P<0.01). The effect was similar to that of fenofibrate, with no significant difference. Furthermore, Arisaema Cum Bile significantly alleviated hepatocyte ballooning and mitigated fatty degeneration in liver tissues. As indicated by 16S rDNA sequencing results, PBA-H significantly enhanced both alpha and beta diversity of the gut microbiota in the model rats, notably increasing the relative abundance of Akkermansia and Subdoligranulum species(P<0.01). Liver metabolomics analysis revealed that PBA-H primarily regulated pathways involved in arachidonic acid metabolism, vitamin B_6 metabolism, and steroid biosynthesis. In summary, Arisaema Cum Bile significantly improved abnormal blood lipid levels and liver pathology induced by a high-fat diet, regulated hepatic metabolic disorders, and improved the abundance and structural composition of gut microbiota, thereby exerting its lipid-lowering effect. The findings of this study provide experimental evidence for the clinical application of Arisaema Cum Bile and the treatment of hyperlipidemia.
Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Rats ; Male ; Metabolomics ; Hyperlipidemias/microbiology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Hypolipidemic Agents/pharmacology* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Humans ; Alanine Transaminase/metabolism* ; Triglycerides/metabolism* ; Aspartate Aminotransferases/metabolism*

Based on copper death, this study investigates the effect and mechanism of Shenmai Injection on isoproterenol(ISO)-induced myocardial fibrosis(MF) in rats. SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, model group, captopril(5 mg·kg~(-1)) positive control group, and Shenmai Injection low(6 mL·kg~(-1)), medium(9 mL·kg~(-1)), and high(12 mL·kg~(-1)) dose groups. Except for the normal group, the rats in the other groups were subcutaneously injected with ISO(5 mg·kg~(-1)) once a day for 10 consecutive days to establish an MF model. Starting from the second day after successful modeling, intraperitoneal injections of the respective treatments were administered for 28 consecutive days. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) and Masson staining were used to observe pathological changes and fibrosis levels in the myocardial tissue. Colorimetry was employed to detect serum Cu~(2+) concentration in rats. The levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-18(IL-18), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), as well as mitochondrial energy metabolites adenosine triphosphate(ATP), adenosine diphosphate(ADP), and adenosine monophosphate(AMP) in serum were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Western blot was performed to detect the expression of collagen Ⅰ(Col-Ⅰ), collagen Ⅲ(Col-Ⅲ), and copper death-related proteins dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase(DLAT), ferredoxin 1(FDX1), lipoic acid synthetase(LIAS), and heat shock protein 70(HSP70) in myocardial tissue. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of DLAT, FDX1, and HSP70, while immunohistochemistry was conducted to examine the expressions of DLAT, FDX1, LIAS, and HSP70. The results showed that, compared to the model group, the myocardial structure disorder and collagen fiber deposition in the drug treatment groups were significantly improved, the cardiac index level was reduced, serum Cu~(2+), IL-6, IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α, ADP, and AMP levels were significantly decreased, ATP levels were significantly increased, and the expressions of Col-Ⅰ, Col-Ⅲ, and HSP70 proteins in myocardial tissue were significantly reduced, while the expressions of DLAT, FDX1, and LIAS proteins were significantly elevated. In conclusion, Shenmai Injection effectively alleviates myocardial structure disorder and interstitial collagen fiber deposition in ISO-induced MF rats, promotes copper excretion, and reduces copper death in the ISO-induced rat MF model.
Animals ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Drug Combinations ; Fibrosis/metabolism* ; Copper/blood* ; Cardiomyopathies/genetics* ; Humans

This study aims to investigate the mechanism of Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodou Decoction(MHLQ) and its main active components in treating immunoglobin A nephropathy(IgAN). The rat model of IgAN was established by a combination of measures including gavage of bovine serum albumin, subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride, and tail vein injection of lipopolysaccharide. The modeled rats were randomized into model, low-, medium-, and high-dose(1.773, 3.545, and 7.090 g·kg~(-1), respectively) MHLQ, phillyrin(PHI, 0.020 g·kg~(-1)), pseudoephedrine(PSE, 0.020 g·kg~(-1)), and losartan potassium(LP, 9.003 mg·kg~(-1)) groups, and Wistar rats were used as the control. Rats were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage, and those in the control and model groups received an equal volume of normal saline. All the groups were treated for 4 consecutive weeks. Urine, serum, liver, and kidney samples were collected from rats in each group at the end of drug administration. The 24 h urine protein and renal function were examined, and staining was performed to observe the pathological changes in the renal tissue. The immunofluorescence assay was employed to detect the expression of IgA and complement C3/C3b/C3c in the renal tissue. Electron microscopy was employed to observe the ultrastructure of the renal tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to determine the expression of complement C3 and sublytic C5b-9 in the serum and renal tissue. Western blot was performed to determine the expression levels of hepatic and renal complement C3/C3b/C3c, C5/C5a, C5b-9, and complement factor B(CFB). Immunohistochemistry(IHC) was employed to measure the expression of complement C3 in the renal tissue. The results showed that compared with the control group, the model group had elevated levels of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, proliferation of glomerular mesangial cells and extracellular matrix, and glomerular deposition of IgA immune complexes or electron-dense material. In addition, the model group showcased increased serum C3 levels and up-regulated expression of CFB, C3/C3b/C3c, C5/C5a, and C5b-9 in the renal tissue and C3/C3b/C3c and C5b-9 in the hepatic tissue. After treatment with MHLQ and its active components, all of the above indexes were reversed. In conclusion, MHLQ and its active components can improve the renal function and reduce the deposition of immune complexes and pathological damage in the renal tissue of the rat model of IgAN by inhibiting the alternative pathway complement activation.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA/genetics* ; Rats ; Male ; Disease Models, Animal ; Rats, Wistar ; Complement Activation/drug effects* ; Kidney/immunology* ; Humans

To investigate the mechanism of action of Syngnathus extract in treating knee osteoarthritis of rats, forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into the blank group, model group, positive drug group, as well as low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Syngnathus extract. The rat model of knee osteoarthritis was constructed by intra-articular injection of sodium iodoacetate. After successful modeling, celecoxib(18 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) and Syngnathus extract(0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) were given in different groups by gavage intervention for two weeks. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of cartilage in knee joints, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the expression level of inflammatory factors in serum. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/mammalian target protein of rapamycin(mTOR) pathway-related mRNA and protein expression. The results showed that, comparied with the blank group, the cartilage surface of the knee joints of rats in the model group was uneven, with disorganized levels and defective cartilage tissue. The serum levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and the mRNA levels of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR in cartilage tissue, as well as the protein expression levels of phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K)/PI3K, phosphorylated Akt(p-Akt)/Akt, phosphorylated mTOR(p-mTOR)/mTOR, and P62 were significantly increased. Beclin1 protein expression was decreased. Comparied with the model group, the number of chondrocytes in the knee joint of rats in each group of Syngnathus extract increased, and the arrangement of chondrocytes was relatively neat. The cartilage layer was restored, and the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, as well as the mRNA expression levels of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR in cartilage tissue were significantly reduced. The protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, p-mTOR/mTOR, and P62 were significantly reduced in the rats in the middle-dose and high-dose groups of Syngnathus extract, and the Beclin1 protein expression was significantly increased. The protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, and P62 in rats in the low-dose group of Syngnathus extract were significantly reduced. In summary, Syngnathus extract may be used to treat knee osteoarthritis by inhibiting the expression of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, so as to alleviate the inflammatory response in the organism, enhance the autophagy activity of chondrocytes, and reduce the apoptosis of chondrocytes.
Animals ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics* ; Rats ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Humans

This study aims to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of polysaccharide extract PCP1 from Polygonatum cyrtonema in ameliorating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) injury in rats through modulation of the Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3) signaling pathway. In vivo, SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group, model group, PCP1 group, nimodipine(NMDP) group, and TLR4 signaling inhibitor(TAK-242) group. A middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R) model was established, and neurological deficit scores and infarct size were evaluated 24 hours after reperfusion. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) and Nissl staining were used to observe pathological changes in ischemic brain tissue. Transmission electron microscopy(TEM) assessed ultrastructural damage in cortical neurons. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-18(IL-18), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-10(IL-10), and nitric oxide(NO) in serum. Immunofluorescence was used to analyze the expression of TLR4 and NLRP3 proteins. In vitro, a BV2 microglial cell oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion(OGD/R) model was established, and cells were divided into the control, OGD/R, PCP1, TAK-242, and PCP1 + TLR4 activator lipopolysaccharide(LPS) groups. The CCK-8 assay evaluated BV2 cell viability, and ELISA determined NO release. Western blot was used to analyze the expression of TLR4, NLRP3, and downstream pathway-related proteins. The results indicated that, compared with the model group, PCP1 significantly reduced neurological deficit scores, infarct size, ischemic tissue pathology, cortical cell damage, and the levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, TNF-α, and NO(P<0.01). It also elevated IL-10 levels(P<0.01) and decreased the expression of TLR4 and NLRP3 proteins(P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, in vitro results showed that, compared with the OGD/R group, PCP1 significantly improved BV2 cell viability(P<0.05, P<0.01), reduced cell NO levels induced by OGD/R(P<0.01), and inhibited the expression of TLR4-related inflammatory pathway proteins, including TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6(TRAF6), phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappaB dimer RelA(p-p65)/nuclear factor-kappaB dimer RelA(p65), NLRP3, cleaved-caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC), GSDMD-N, IL-1β, and IL-18(P<0.05, P<0.01). The protective effects of PCP1 were reversed by LPS stimulation. In conclusion, PCP1 ameliorates cerebral I/R injury by modulating the TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway, exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-pyroptotic effects.
Animals ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/genetics* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Reperfusion Injury/genetics* ; Male ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Polysaccharides/isolation & purification* ; Polygonatum/chemistry* ; Brain Ischemia/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Humans

This study explores the role and underlying molecular mechanisms of fucoidan sulfate(FPS) in regulating heme oxygenase-1(Hmox1)-mediated ferroptosis to ameliorate myocardial injury in diabetic cardiomyopathy(DCM) through in vivo and in vitro experiments and network pharmacology analysis. In vivo, a DCM rat model was established using a combination of "high-fat diet feeding + two low-dose streptozotocin(STZ) intraperitoneal injections". The rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal, model, FPS, and dapagliflozin(Dapa) groups. In vitro, a cellular model was created by inducing rat cardiomyocytes(H9c2 cells) with high glucose(HG), using zinc protoporphyrin(ZnPP), an Hmox1 inhibitor, as the positive control. An automatic biochemical analyzer was used to measure blood glucose(BG), serum aspartate aminotransferase(AST), serum lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), and serum creatine kinase-MB(CK-MB) levels. Echocardiography was used to assess rat cardiac function, including ejection fraction(EF) and fractional shortening(FS). Pathological staining was performed to observe myocardial morphology and fibrotic characteristics. DCFH-DA fluorescence probe was used to detect reactive oxygen species(ROS) levels in myocardial tissue. Specific assay kits were used to measure serum brain natriuretic peptide(BNP), myocardial Fe~(2+), and malondialdehyde(MDA) levels. Western blot(WB) was used to detect the expression levels of myosin heavy chain 7B(MYH7B), natriuretic peptide A(NPPA), collagens type Ⅰ(Col-Ⅰ), α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), ferritin heavy chain 1(FTH1), solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11), glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4), 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal(4-HNE), and Hmox1. Immunohistochemistry(IHC) was used to examine Hmox1 protein expression patterns. FerroOrange and Highly Sensitive DCFH-DA fluorescence probes were used to detect intracellular Fe~(2+) and ROS levels. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe changes in mitochondrial morphology. In network pharmacology, FPS targets were identified through the PubChem database and PharmMapper platform. DCM-related targets were integrated from OMIM, GeneCards, and DisGeNET databases, while ferroptosis-related targets were obtained from the FerrDb database. A protein-protein interaction(PPI) network was constructed for the intersection of these targets using STRING 11.0, and core targets were screened with Cytoscape 3.9.0. Molecular docking analysis was conducted using AutoDock and PyMOL 2.5. In vivo results showed that FPS significantly reduced AST, LDH, CK-MB, and BNP levels in DCM model rats, improved cardiac function, decreased the expression of myocardial injury proteins(MYH7B, NPPA, Col-Ⅰ, and α-SMA), alleviated myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis, and reduced Fe~(2+), ROS, and MDA levels in myocardial tissue. Furthermore, FPS regulated the expression of ferroptosis-related markers(Hmox1, FTH1, SLC7A11, GPX4, and 4-HNE) to varying degrees. Network pharmacology results revealed 313 potential targets for FPS, 1 125 targets for DCM, and 14 common targets among FPS, DCM, and FerrDb. Hmox1 was identified as a key target, with FPS showing high docking activity with Hmox1. In vitro results demonstrated that FPS restored the expression levels of ferroptosis-related proteins, reduced intracellular Fe~(2+) and ROS levels, and alleviated mitochondrial structural damage in cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, FPS improves myocardial injury in DCM, with its underlying mechanism potentially involving the regulation of Hmox1 to inhibit ferroptosis. This study provides pharmacological evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of FPS for DCM-induced myocardial injury.
Animals ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Rats ; Diabetic Cardiomyopathies/physiopathology* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Polysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Heme Oxygenase-1/genetics* ; Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Humans ; Cell Line ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing)

This study aimed to explore the effects and mechanisms of total extracts from Anthriscus sylvestris on pulmonary hypertension in rats. Sixty male SD rats were divided into normal(NC) group, model(M) group, positive drug sildenafil(Y) group, low-dose A. sylvestris(ES-L) group, medium-dose A. sylvestris(ES-M) group, and high-dose A. sylvestris(ES-H) group. On day 1, rats were intraperitoneally injected with monocrotaline(60 mg·kg~(-1)) to induce pulmonary hypertension, and the rat model was established on day 28. From days 15 to 28, intragastric administration of the respective treatments was performed. After modeling and treatment, small animal echocardiography was used to detect the right heart function of the rats. Arterial blood gas was measured using a blood gas analyzer. Hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining and Masson staining were performed to observe cardiopulmonary pathological damage. Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis in the lung and myocardial tissues and reactive oxygen species(ROS) levels. Western blot was applied to detect the expression levels of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), phosphorylated mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3(p-Smad3), Smad3, tissue plasminogen activator(t-PA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1) in lung tissue. A blood routine analyzer was used to measure inflammatory immune cell levels in the blood. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the expression levels of P-selectin and thromboxane A2(TXA2) in plasma. The results showed that, compared with the NC group, right heart hypertrophy index, right ventricular free wall thickness, right heart internal diameter, partial carbon dioxide pressure(PaCO_2), apoptosis in cardiopulmonary tissue, and ROS levels were significantly increased in the M group. In contrast, the ratio of pulmonary blood flow acceleration time(PAT)/ejection time(PET), right cardiac output, change rate of right ventricular systolic area, systolic displacement of the tricuspid ring, oxygen partial pressure(PaO_2), and blood oxygen saturation(SaO_2) were significantly decreased in the M group. After administration of the total extract of A. sylvestris, right heart function and blood gas levels were significantly improved, while apoptosis in cardiopulmonary tissue and ROS levels significantly decreased. Further testing revealed that the total extract of A. sylvestris significantly decreased the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), and PAI-1 proteins in lung tissue, while increasing the expression of t-PA. Additionally, the extract reduced the levels of inflammatory cells such as leukocytes, lymphocytes, granulocytes, and monocytes in the blood, as well as the levels of P-selectin and TXA2 in plasma. Metabolomics results showed that the total extract of A. sylvestris significantly affected metabolic pathways, including arginine biosynthesis, tyrosine metabolism, and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism. In conclusion, the total extract of A. sylvestris may exert an anti-pulmonary hypertension effect by inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway, thereby alleviating immune-inflammatory responses and thrombosis.
Animals ; Male ; Smad3 Protein/metabolism* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/genetics* ; Thrombosis/immunology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Humans ; Apoptosis/drug effects*