Huangqi-Honghua Combination Prevents Cerebral Infarction with Qi Deficiency and Blood Stasis Syndrome in Rats by the Autophagy Pathway.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CI/RI) contributes to the process of autophagy. Huangqi-Honghua combination (HQ-HH) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) combination that has been widely used in the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases in China. The role of autophagy in HQ-HH-mediated treatment of CI/RI is unclear.

METHODS:

Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used to establish the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with QDBS syndrome model and evaluate the function of HQ-HH in protecting against CI/RI.

RESULTS:

HQ-HH significantly improved the neuronal pathology and reduced infarct volume, neurological deficits, and whole blood viscosity in rats with CI/RI. Western blot results showed that the expression of autophagy marker proteins LC3II/LC3I and Beclin1 in the HQ-HH group was significantly lower than that in the model group, while the expression of p62 was significantly higher in the HQ-HH group as compared with the model group. There were no significant differences in PI3K, Akt, and mTOR levels between the HQ-HH group and the model group; however, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and p-mTOR were significantly upregulated. In addition, HQ-HH also changed the composition and function of intestinal flora in MCAO + QDBS model rats.

CONCLUSION:

HQ-HH protects from CI/RI, and its underlying mechanism may involve the activation of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway, relating to the changes in the composition of intestinal flora.

• Authors: Yue Chen, Lu Lei, Kai Wang, Ruimin Liang, Yi Qiao, Zhijun Feng, Juanli Zhang, Min Bai, Haixia Chen, Jiaxin Zhao, Xingzhao Xiong, Jinyi Cao, Xia Shen, Zhifu Yang
• Journal: Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (Evid Based Complement Alternat Med) Vol. 2022 Pg. 9496926 ( 2022) ISSN: 1741-427X [Print] United States
• PMID: 35111232 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2022 Yue Chen et al.