Uncovering the Protective Mechanism of the Volatile Oil of Acorus tatarinowii against Acute Myocardial Ischemia Injury Using Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation

Abstract

Acorus tatarinowii is a traditional aromatic resuscitation drug that can be clinically used to prevent cardiovascular diseases. The volatile oil of Acorus tatarinowii (VOA) possesses important medicinal properties, including protection against acute myocardial ischemia (MI) injury. However, the pharmacodynamic material basis and molecular mechanisms underlying this protective effect remain unclear. Using network pharmacology and animal experiments, we studied the mechanisms and pathways implicated in the activity of VOA against acute MI injury. First, VOA was extracted from three batches of Acorus tatarinowii using steam distillation, and then, its chemical composition was determined by GC-MS. Next, the components-targets and protein-protein interaction networks were constructed using systematic network pharmacology. Gene Ontology (GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were also conducted in order to predict the possible pharmacodynamic mechanisms. Furthermore, animal experiments including ELISAs, histological examinations, and Western blots were performed in order to validate the pharmacological effects of VOA. In total, 33 chemical components were identified in VOA, and ß-asarone was found to be the most abundant component. Based on network pharmacology analysis, the therapeutic effects of VOA against myocardial ischemia might be mediated by signaling pathways involving COX-2, PPAR-α, VEGF, and cAMP. Overall, the obtained results indicate that VOA alleviates the pathological manifestations of isoproterenol-hydrochloride-induced myocardial ischemia in rats, including the decreased SOD (superoxide dismutase) content and increased LDH (lactic dehydrogenase) content. Moreover, the anti-MI effect of VOA might be attributed to the downregulation of the COX-2 protein that inhibits apoptosis, the upregulation of the PPAR-α protein that regulates energy metabolism, and the activation of VEGF and cAMP signaling pathways.

Advances in extraction methods, chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, molecular targets and toxicology of volatile oil from Acorus calamus var. angustatus Besser

“…Thus, VOA can be used as an auxiliary means for treating and preventing myocardial infarction. Another study ( Zang et al, 2021 ) has shown that the anti-myocardial infarction effect of VOA may be attributed to the inhibition of COX-2 protein apoptosis, the up-regulation of PPAR-α protein regulating energy metabolism, and the activation of VEGF and cAMP signalling pathways. Moreover, based on network pharmacology analysis, the therapeutic effect of VOA on myocardial ischemia may be mediated by COX-2, peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor (PPAR-α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signalling pathways.…”

Strategy for the multi‐component characterization and quality evaluation of volatile organic components in Kaixin San by correlating the analysis by headspace gas chromatography/ion mobility spectrometry and headspace gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

“…The GC/IMS system (Flavourspec ® , G.A.S, Dortmund, Germany) was equipped with an autosampler (CTC Analytics AG, Zwingen, There are 18 common components between PTW and KXS, such as β-asarone, trans-2,4-decadien-1-al and methyl eugenol, the main effective substances for antidepressants and tranquilizers. 32 There are 13 common components between PG and KXS, such as γ-elemene and calarene, which are the main active substances. 33 There are 10 common components between PC and KXS, such as β-asarone and isocalamenediol which are the main active substances.…”

Acorus Tatarinowii Schott Increases the Permeability of Blood-Retinal Barrier: Evidence From an in Vitro Study

“…The main biologically active ingredients of SCP include flavonoid glycosides, phenylpropane derivatives, amides and lignans [6]. SCP exerts a broad range of pharmacological effects such as protection of PC12 cells from amyloid-beta induced neurotoxicity [7], prevention against cardiovascular diseases [8], as well as increasing the permeability of blood-brain barrier in rats [9]. In this study, we established an in vitro model to investigate the effects of SCP extract on the permeability of BRB and clarify the underlying mechanisms.…”