Suanzaoren Decoction can alleviate anxiety-induced cardiac insufficiency by improving cardiomyocyte health and cardiac function through inhibiting specific nervous system pathways.
The study initially established an anxiety model by inducing chronic restraint stress in mice. Mice inflicted with cardiac insufficiency were then orally administered with Suanzaoren Decoction. The therapeutic effects on cardiac health and function were evaluated through methods such as echocardiography, tissue staining and enzyme activity assays. Potential drug targets for Suanzaoren Decoction in treating cardiac insufficiency were predicted through network pharmacology and molecular docking. The drug's influence on a protein called CaMKII was specifically examined using accessible databases, confirmed through immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis in the mouse hearts.
The study showed that Suanzaoren Decoction acts as an anti-anxiety agent, evidenced by behavioral changes in the mice. The drug also ameliorated cardiac insufficiency, indicated by an improved left ventricular ejection fraction and mitigated cardiomyocyte damage and inflammation. They also found that the Suanzaoren Decoction did not modify anxiety-related changes in the levels of norepinephrine and acetylcholine. The potential mechanism of Suanzaoren Decoction was identified to revolve around 13 active compounds that target a specific protein called CaMKII. It was found to influence the expression and phosphorylation of CaMKII, with additional significance in the modulation of certain nervous system pathways.
