Combination of Radix Astragali and Safflower Promotes Angiogenesis in Rats with Ischemic Stroke via Silencing PTGS2

Abstract

Promotion of angiogenesis and restoration of the blood flow in the ischemic penumbra is an effective treatment for patients with ischemic stroke (IS). Radix astragali-safflower (AS), a classic herbal pair for accelerating blood circulation and dispersing blood stasis, has been used for thousands of years to treat patients with IS in China. Even so, the mechanism of the treatment of IS by AS is still undecipherable. In the current study, network pharmacology was firstly employed to unveil the mechanism of AS in treating IS, which showed that AS might promote angiogenesis associated with PTGS2 silence. Middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model rats were then used as the experimental animals to verify the prediction result. The experimental results revealed that treatment with AS improved the cerebral infarct volume, neurological damage, and cerebral histopathological damage; inhibited cell apoptosis; increased the contents of PDGF-BB, EPO, and TGF-β1; and reduced the levels of PF4, Ang-2, and TIMP-1 in serum. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that the expression of PTGS2 was dramatically increased in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of rats with MCAO/R, and this trend was reversed by the treatment of AS. Immunofluorescent staining expressed that AS reversed the down-regulation of VEGF and further promoted the expression of CD31, which indicated that AS promoted angiogenesis in MCAO/R rats. The abnormal protein or mRNA expression of PTGS2, PGI2, bFGF, TSP-1, and VEGF in the penumbra were transposed by AS or Celecoxib (an inhibitor of PTGS2). In conclusion, the protective mechanism of AS for IS promoted angiogenesis and was involved with PTGS2 silence.

Safranal acts as a neurorestorative agent in rats with cerebral ischemic stroke via upregulating SIRT1

“…Additionally, it was found that high dose of safranal (40 mg/kg) can significantly attenuate these symptoms, which was in line with the data from Sadeghnia et al ( 27 ) indicating that safranal has protective effects on MCAO/R rats. A previous study indicated that angiogenesis is conducive to the recovery of blood supply in ischemic penumbra, thus promoting the activation of neurons ( 46 ). Angiogenesis is a process that enhances the proliferative and migrative potentials of vascular endothelial cells and the reconstruction of new vascular networks ( 47 ).…”

“…VEGF is considered as the most indispensable cytokine to promote angiogenesis ( 43 ). TGF-β1 and bFGF-2 are both pro-angiogenesis and are involved in the migration and proliferation of endothelial cells ( 46 ). PDGF combined with its receptor are responsible for recruiting brain pericytes into newly formed vessels during the progression of angiogenesis ( 48 ).…”

Traditional Chinese medicines treat ischemic stroke and their main bioactive constituents and mechanisms

“…Astragali Radix ‐ Carthami Flos is a classic herbal pair that appears in many formulas such as the buyang huanwu decoction. Modern pharmacological studies have found that Astragali Radix ‐ Carthami Flos reduces the volume of cerebral infarcts and neuronal damage, and also promotes angiogenesis in MCAO/R rats by modulating the balance between anti‐angiogenic factors (PF4, TSP1) and pro‐angiogenic factors (bFGF, TGF‐β) (Xu et al, 2023). The effect of Astragali Radix ‐ Carthami Flos on activating blood and resolving stasis was significantly better than that of Astragali Radix and Carthami Flos alone, and the best effect was found when Astragali Radix ‐ Carthami Flos was used in a 5:1 ratio to intervene in ischemia–reperfusion injury in rats (Yi et al, 2022).…”

Morel-Lavallee Injury of Thigh Combined with Open Tibia-Fibula Fracture Treated by Combination of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine ： A Case Report Study

“…In recent years, it has been mentioned in many studies that the treatment of traditional Chinese medicine can improve blood ow, promote neovascularization, accelerate damage repair and achieve good curative effect [13][14][15][16] . We believe that using the minimally invasive concept combined with traditional incision and drainage may achieve satisfactory e cacy.…”