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.
Highlights
Xue-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 present study aimed to investigate whether XFZYD, TMGTY or WDD were capable of reversing myocardial fibrosis in Spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying any therapeutic effects found
Effects of TCM on systolic blood pressure and body weight Data obtained during this study were consistent with data reported by previous studies, and indicated that the systolic blood pressure of control SHRs was much higher than that of WKY rats (Table 2, p = 0.005)
Summary
Xue-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). Hypertension is one of the most common diseases afflicting humans worldwide. It is a major risk factor for stroke, myocardial infarction, vascular disease and chronic kidney disease. Hypertension may contribute to heart failure in as many as 50 to 60 % of patients. It contributes to 50 % of ischemic strokes and increases the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. Hypertension is the primary cause for myocardial fibrosis, and contributes to the pathophysiology of cardiac damage [1, 2]. Hypertension causes a sustained increase in cardiac pressure overload, triggering excessive proliferation and the accumulation of interstitial and perivascular collagen fibers that leads to myocardial fibrosis [3]. Myocardial fibrosis prevention and treatment is a subject of great clinical value and public health interest
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