Identification of Target Genes of Antiarrhythmic Traditional Chinese Medicine Wenxin Keli

Abstract

Wenxin Keli (WXKL) is a traditional Chinese medicine drug approved for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to identify WXKL-targeting genes involved in antiarrhythmic efficacy of WXKL. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) technology platform was used to screen active compounds of WXKL and WXKL-targeting arrhythmia-related genes. A pig model of myocardial ischemia (MI) was established by balloon-expanding the endothelium of the left coronary artery. Pigs were divided into the model group and WXKL group (n = 6). MI, QT interval, heart rate, and arrhythmia were recorded, and the mRNA expression of target genes in myocardial tissues was detected by PCR. Eleven active ingredients of WXKL and eight WXKL-targeting arrhythmia-related genes were screened. Five pathways were enriched, and an “ingredient-gene-path” network was constructed. WXKL markedly decreased the incidence of arrhythmia in the MI pig model (P<0.05). The QT interval was significantly shortened, and the heart rate was slowed down in the WXKL group compared with the model group (P<0.05). In addition, the expression of sodium channel protein type 5 subunit alpha (SCN5A) and beta-2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) was downregulated, while muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M2 (CHRM2) was upregulated in the WXKL group (P<0.05). In conclusion, WXKL may shorten the QT interval and slow down the heart rate by downregulating SCN5A and ADRB2 and upregulating CHRM2 during MI. These findings provide novel insight into molecular mechanisms of WXKL in reducing the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia.

Anticancer Properties of Lobetyolin, an Essential Component of Radix Codonopsis (Dangshen)

“…These polyyne compounds were found to inhibit the expression of the squalene monooxygenase gene in HepG2 cells [ 45 ]. The cardioprotective of LBT activity supports the use of the Chinese botanical drug Wenxin Keli for the treatment of arrhythmia, in particular to reduce the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia [ 84 , 85 ]. An anti-inflammatory activity has also been mentioned with other LBT-containing TCM preparations [ 86 , 87 ].…”

Impaired heart rate variability in patients with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy: A multicenter retrospective study in China

“…Shensongyangxin capsule was shown to have beneficial effects on VAs in patients with or without structural heart disease, and on HRV in patients with heart failure ( 32 , 33 ). Wenxin Keli is another kind of traditional Chinese medicine which has been approved for arrhythmias, and was shown to induce the downregulation of adrenergic receptor genes ( 34 ). Therefore, the traditional Chinese medicine might be new option in management of patients with ACM.…”