Ameliorative effects of Xue-Fu-Zhu-Yu decoction, Tian-Ma-Gou-Teng-Yin and Wen-Dan decoction on myocardial fibrosis in a hypertensive rat mode

Abstract

BackgroundXue-Fu-Zhu-Yu decoction (XFZYD), Tian-Ma-Gou-Teng-Yin (TMGTY) and Wen-Dan decoction (WDD) are Chinese herbal formulas used to treat hypertension and cardiovascular diseases in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The goal of our study is to determine if XFZYD, TMGTY or WDD treatment ameliorated myocardial fibrosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and to identify the mechanisms underlying any beneficial effects observed during the courses of the investigation.MethodsForty-five 12-week-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats and five age-matched male Wistar-Kyoto control rats were studied for 16 weeks. Each day 6 g∙kg−1 or 12 g∙kg−1 of XFZYD, TMGTY or WDD was orally administered at the indicated dose, and the systolic blood pressure (SBP) of all rats was measured using the tail-cuff method. Collagen levels were measured via hydroxyproline content assays and histological examination. Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) protein levels were determined via immunhistochemical and Western blot analysis. TGF-β1 mRNA levels were assessed using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.ResultsSystolic blood pressure was unaffected, but collagen and TGF-β1 levels in SHRs treated with captopril and XFZYD (12 g∙kg−1) were significantly reduced when compared with untreated control SHRs. Administration of 12 g∙kg−1 XFZYD increased myocardial cell protection and decreased TGF-β1 mRNA and protein expression when compared with the other SHR treatment groups.ConclusionsXFZYD treatment demonstrated a superior ability to reverse myocardial fibrosis when compared with WDD or TMGTY treatment in SHRs. XFZYD also decreased TGF-β1 mRNA and protein expression, suggesting that the TGF-β1 signaling pathway plays a role in the therapeutic effects of XFZYD treatment.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12906-016-1030-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Association of traditional Chinese medicine therapy and the risk of dementia in patients with hypertension: a nationwide population-based cohort study

“…Results of previous studies have shown that TMGTY has significant effects on a variety of HTN-caused cardiovascular diseases [14]. Recent scientific evidence has also demonstrated that TMGTY provides neuroprotective effects for patients with Parkinson’s disease [25].…”

“…It is noteworthy that HTN has been consistently associated with an increased risk of dementia in most cross-sectional and longitudinal cohort studies, and appears to be more relevant when it presents in middle age rather than later in life [10–12]. Results of previous studies have demonstrated that TCM can lower blood pressure and modify vascular risk factors in patients with HTN [13, 14], which may be related to dementia [15, 16]. However, to our knowledge, there is a paucity of information on the benefit of TCM for dementia risk, in particular for subjects with HTN.…”

A Computational Systems Pharmacology Approach to Investigate Molecular Mechanisms of Herbal Formula Tian-Ma-Gou-Teng-Yin for Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

“…Tian-Ma-Gou-Teng-Yin was prescribed for neurodegenerative diseases ( Chik et al, 2013 ) such as AD ( Liu et al, 2014 ; Lin et al, 2016 ) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) ( Pan et al, 2015 ), and also the prevention of hypertension ( Zhang et al, 2016 ). Upon previously detected disease modules, a network illustration of potential interactions between herbs and AD, hypertension related gene targets was constructed to speculate the synergistic effect of herb formula ( Figure 4 ).…”

“…TMGTY consists of 11 Chinese herbs, such as Rhizoma Gastrodiae ( Tianma ), Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis ( Gouteng ), Concha Haliotidis ( Shijueming ), Fructus Gardeniae Jasminoidis ( Zhizi ), and Radix Scutellariae Baicalensis ( Huangqin ). TMGTY was prescribed to alleviate hypertension-related symptoms and also showed therapeutic effects against dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) ( Liu et al, 2014 ; May et al, 2016 ; Zhang et al, 2016 ; Chen et al, 2017 ). TMGTY was one of the 10 most commonly used formulae for treating AD in Taiwan, according to a cohort study of one million patients ( Lin et al, 2016 ).…”

A Review of Chinese Herbal Medicine for the Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure

“…Xuefuzhuyu decoction, a TCM used for coronary heart disease, is composed of 11 compounds. A study showed that Xuefuzhuyu decoction treatment could decrease cardiac fibrosis induced by hypertension and inhibit expression of TGF-β1 [49]. The bioactive components of Xuefuzhuyu that attenuate myocardial fibrosis by acting on TGF-β1 signaling pathways may include carthamin yellow, ferulic acid sodium, ligustrazine, amygdalin and paeoniflorin which are extracted from Carthamus tinctorius, Angelica sinensis, Ligusticum striatu, Prunus persica and Paeonia lactiflora Pall , respectively.…”