Tianma Gouteng Yin (TMGTY) improves cognitive performance and lowers blood pressure in rats, mainly through curtailing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress via the NF-κB signaling pathway.
The methodology involved the use of network pharmacology and molecular docking to identify the major active ingredients and potential targets of TMGTY in treating hypertension-associated vascular cognitive impairment. Then, an in-vivo model involving spontaneously hypertensive rats was established, subjecting them to a unilateral common carotid artery occlusion and a high-salt diet, dividing them randomly into seven groups. These groups consisted of control, model, sham, low, medium, and high-dose TMGTY, and a nimodipine group. After 28 days of administering the treatments orally, the researchers assessed blood pressure, behavioural studies, pathological staining, and molecular mechanisms using a variety of techniques.
The results of the study revealed quercetin, kaempferol, beta-sitosterol, and stigmasterol to be key ingredients in TMGTY. Pathway enrichment analysis identified the NF-κB signaling pathway as a key pathway through which TMGTY combats hypertension alongside vascular cognitive impairment. In-vivo experiments showed that TMGTY significantly enhanced cognitive performance and reduced blood pressure. It also lowered the levels of pro-inflammatory factors and malondialdehyde, while increasing superoxide dismutase expression. Additionally, the treatment reduced the number of certain microglia indicators in the hippocampal CA1 region, thereby reducing neuroinflammation. Moreover, TMGTY inhibited the expression levels of certain proteins, thereby lessening neuroinflammation.
