The active component in Tianma Gouteng Decoction, Gastrodin, offers protective effects against Preeclampsia by activating cellular signals while also suppressing harmful cell death.
The paper investigates the use of the traditional Chinese medicine Tianma Gouteng Decoction and its active component, Gastrodin, in the treatment of Preeclampsia. The methodology includes analysing the impact of Gastrodin on various cellular systems, particularly its ability to boost the function of Wnt 3a/β-catenin signaling activity. This signaling is increased by promoting the expression of specific target genes via an engagement with Wnt 3a mRNA.
Simultaneously, Gastrodin has the surprising property of diminishing the harmful process of ferroptosis (a type of cell death) by up-regulating proteins that stand against it. It also reduces the production of reactive oxygen species and total iron content while increasing L-Glutathione levels.
To confirm these findings, a study was conducted on a Preeclampsia-like mouse model which was administered Gastrodin. The results revealed clear anti-hypertensive effects, with notable reduction in the levels of ferroptosis. However, when β-catenin was deactivated through the introduction of a specific antagonist, the protective effects from Gastrodin were lost, strongly supporting the proposed mechanism.
