Combining Experimental Validation and Network Pharmacology to Reveal the Action Mechanism of Panax Notoginseng-Radix Salviae on Atherosclerosis
Ningning Song,1,2 Xinrong Zhang,3 Honglin Yin,3 Lei Zhang,1 Chao Li,4 Jian Li,5 Yunlun Li,4,* Jibiao Wu1,* 1College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People’s Republic of China; 2Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, P...
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Dove Medical Press
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Inflammation Research |
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| author | Song N Zhang X Yin H Zhang L Li C Li J Li Y Wu J |
| author_facet | Song N Zhang X Yin H Zhang L Li C Li J Li Y Wu J |
| author_sort | Song N |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Ningning Song,1,2 Xinrong Zhang,3 Honglin Yin,3 Lei Zhang,1 Chao Li,4 Jian Li,5 Yunlun Li,4,* Jibiao Wu1,* 1College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People’s Republic of China; 2Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, People’s Republic of China; 3First College of Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Cardiovascular, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Medical Imaging, The Fifth People’s Hospital of Jinan City, Jinan, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jibiao Wu, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-15169005698, Email wujibiao1963@163.com Yunlun Li, Department of Cardiovascular, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-13869102760, Email yunlun.lee@hotmail.comPurpose: Few studies have evaluated the mechanisms of the specific efficacy of Panax notoginseng-Radix Salviae couplet medicines (PN-RS) in the treatment of atherosclerosis (AS). This study aims to explore the potential bioactive ingredients and molecular mechanisms of PN-RS in the treatment of AS.Materials and Methods: C57BL/6J mice were fed a common diet as the control group. ApoE−/− mice were randomly divided into the model, PN-RS treatment (0.75 mgPN+3.75 mgRS/g/day via gavage), and positive drug groups (rosuvastatin, 1.25 mg/kg/day via gavage). After two months of drugs intervention, H&E and Masson staining, the serum lipid concentration and atherosclerotic index were conducted to verify the PN-RS efficacy. Network pharmacology analysis was carried out to identify the pathways and targets of PN-RS. The signaling pathway-related targets and cytokines were tested via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results: Network pharmacology analysis identified the JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway as a key pathway through which PN-RS exerts its therapeutic effects. Results from animal experiments demonstrated that PN-RS significantly reduced the atherosclerotic lesion area and decreased serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and atherogenic index (AI). Mechanistic studies further revealed that PN-RS inhibited the JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway and reduced the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1).Conclusion: These findings suggest that PN-RS could be a promising treatment for atherosclerosis, applicable across diverse populations. Future research should investigate its efficacy in various demographic groups and in combination with other therapies.Keywords: traditional Chinese medicine, atherosclerosis, lipid metabolism, inflammatory reaction, network pharmacology |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-23ed450812ab49c1bf11b3cd53785dd0 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1178-7031 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Dove Medical Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Inflammation Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-23ed450812ab49c1bf11b3cd53785dd02025-08-20T02:11:35ZengDove Medical PressJournal of Inflammation Research1178-70312025-04-01Volume 1849294945101948Combining Experimental Validation and Network Pharmacology to Reveal the Action Mechanism of Panax Notoginseng-Radix Salviae on AtherosclerosisSong NZhang XYin HZhang LLi CLi JLi YWu JNingning Song,1,2 Xinrong Zhang,3 Honglin Yin,3 Lei Zhang,1 Chao Li,4 Jian Li,5 Yunlun Li,4,* Jibiao Wu1,* 1College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People’s Republic of China; 2Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, People’s Republic of China; 3First College of Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Cardiovascular, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Medical Imaging, The Fifth People’s Hospital of Jinan City, Jinan, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jibiao Wu, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-15169005698, Email wujibiao1963@163.com Yunlun Li, Department of Cardiovascular, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-13869102760, Email yunlun.lee@hotmail.comPurpose: Few studies have evaluated the mechanisms of the specific efficacy of Panax notoginseng-Radix Salviae couplet medicines (PN-RS) in the treatment of atherosclerosis (AS). This study aims to explore the potential bioactive ingredients and molecular mechanisms of PN-RS in the treatment of AS.Materials and Methods: C57BL/6J mice were fed a common diet as the control group. ApoE−/− mice were randomly divided into the model, PN-RS treatment (0.75 mgPN+3.75 mgRS/g/day via gavage), and positive drug groups (rosuvastatin, 1.25 mg/kg/day via gavage). After two months of drugs intervention, H&E and Masson staining, the serum lipid concentration and atherosclerotic index were conducted to verify the PN-RS efficacy. Network pharmacology analysis was carried out to identify the pathways and targets of PN-RS. The signaling pathway-related targets and cytokines were tested via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results: Network pharmacology analysis identified the JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway as a key pathway through which PN-RS exerts its therapeutic effects. Results from animal experiments demonstrated that PN-RS significantly reduced the atherosclerotic lesion area and decreased serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and atherogenic index (AI). Mechanistic studies further revealed that PN-RS inhibited the JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway and reduced the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1).Conclusion: These findings suggest that PN-RS could be a promising treatment for atherosclerosis, applicable across diverse populations. Future research should investigate its efficacy in various demographic groups and in combination with other therapies.Keywords: traditional Chinese medicine, atherosclerosis, lipid metabolism, inflammatory reaction, network pharmacologyhttps://www.dovepress.com/combining-experimental-validation-and-network-pharmacology-to-reveal-t-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JIRtraditional chinese medicineatherosclerosislipid metabolisminflammatory reactionnetwork pharmacology |
| spellingShingle | Song N Zhang X Yin H Zhang L Li C Li J Li Y Wu J Combining Experimental Validation and Network Pharmacology to Reveal the Action Mechanism of Panax Notoginseng-Radix Salviae on Atherosclerosis Journal of Inflammation Research traditional chinese medicine atherosclerosis lipid metabolism inflammatory reaction network pharmacology |
| title | Combining Experimental Validation and Network Pharmacology to Reveal the Action Mechanism of Panax Notoginseng-Radix Salviae on Atherosclerosis |
| title_full | Combining Experimental Validation and Network Pharmacology to Reveal the Action Mechanism of Panax Notoginseng-Radix Salviae on Atherosclerosis |
| title_fullStr | Combining Experimental Validation and Network Pharmacology to Reveal the Action Mechanism of Panax Notoginseng-Radix Salviae on Atherosclerosis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Combining Experimental Validation and Network Pharmacology to Reveal the Action Mechanism of Panax Notoginseng-Radix Salviae on Atherosclerosis |
| title_short | Combining Experimental Validation and Network Pharmacology to Reveal the Action Mechanism of Panax Notoginseng-Radix Salviae on Atherosclerosis |
| title_sort | combining experimental validation and network pharmacology to reveal the action mechanism of panax notoginseng radix salviae on atherosclerosis |
| topic | traditional chinese medicine atherosclerosis lipid metabolism inflammatory reaction network pharmacology |
| url | https://www.dovepress.com/combining-experimental-validation-and-network-pharmacology-to-reveal-t-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JIR |
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