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Renshen Guipi Wan alleviates chronic cerebral hypoperfusion-induced cognitive impairment in rats by modulating PI3K/Akt and Notch1/HES1 signaling
Hongyuan Ju, Zhiqi Wang, Yuanbo Wang, Pengbo Ma, Zhiqi Wang, Xu Su, Yunhe Liu, Baofeng Yang, Xin Li, Lei Wang
doi: 10.1515/fzm-2026-0019
Keywords: Renshen Guipi Wan, chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, vascular cognitive impairment, oxidative stress, PI3K/Akt, Notch1/HES1

Objective:  Renshen Guipi Wan (RSGPW) is derived from Guipi Tang and has traditionally been used to treat forgetfulness. We characterized its chemical profile and investigated its effects on cognitive impairment associated with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.   Methods : RSGPW was analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q Exactive HF Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS). Rats subjected to permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2VO) received RSGPW (1, 2, or 4 g/kg/day by gavage) or donepezil (5 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks. Cognitive function, cortical perfusion, hippocampal injury, redox markers, and synaptic and signaling proteins were assessed. Network analysis guided the investigation of signaling pathways in H2O2-injured SH-SY5Y cells treated with RSGPW-containing serum. LY294002 and valproic acid were used to pharmacologically modulate the respective pathways.   Results : A total of 140 compounds were tentatively identified. RSGPW improved spatial and recognition memory, increased cortical perfusion, reduced hippocampal neuronal injury, increased superoxide dismutase activity, decreased malondialdehyde levels, and restored the expression of postsynaptic density protein 95 and synaptophysin. It also increased hippocampal phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) expression and protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation while reducing Notch1 and hairy and enhancer of split-1 (HES1). Similar changes were observed in H2O2-injured cells. LY294002 attenuated the RSGPW-associated increase in Akt phosphorylation, whereas valproic acid increased Notch1 and HES1 in RSGPW-treated cells.   Conclusion : RSGPW alleviated hypoperfusion-associated cognitive impairment, accompanied by improved cortical perfusion and redox balance, recovery of synaptic protein expression, restoration of PI3K/Akt signaling, and suppression of Notch1/HES1 signaling. These findings provide preclinical support for further investigation of RSGPW as a potential treatment for hypoperfusion-related cognitive impairment.

Network pharmacology-based approach for exploring the biotargets and mechanisms of vitamin A for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers
Xiaowei Wan, Qiuhai Qin, Ruitang Xie, Xin Li, Min Su
2023, 3(3): 186-192. doi: 10.2478/fzm-2023-0023
Keywords: diabetic foot ulcers, vitamin A, network pharmacology, core genes, mechanisms
  Background   In some developing countries, people have little knowledge about the causes of diabetic foot ulcers. Therefore, public health education for patients on these conditions is a prerequisite for effective pharmacological treatment. Diabetic foot ulcers are a complex symptom of diabetes and are hard to cure due to the lack of efficacious medicine and alternative treatment approaches. Vitamin A (VA) is known to have potent biological functions, including skin repair and immunoregulation. However, the potential pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of VA on foot ulcers are still to be discovered.   Methods   By using bioinformatic/computational analyses, including network pharmacology, gene ontology and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis, we aimed to identify and reveal the pharmacological targets, molecular mechanisms, biological functions, and signaling pathways of VA in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.   Results   A total of 66 intersection genes were identified as candidate targets of VA, which are related to diabetic foot ulcers. Therein, 18 core genes/targets, namely JUN, MAPK1, THRB, MAPK14, MTNR1B, CXCR3, ESR1, AR, HDAC1, IL-10, CNR1, DRD2, EGFR, ADRA2A, CCND1, RXRB, RARA , and RXRA , were further identified. Furthermore, the biological processes, cell components, and molecular functions which may underlie the effects of VA against diabetic foot ulcers were characterized.   Conclusion   Based on our findings, we concluded that the pharmacological effects of VA on diabetic foot ulcers primarily involve the promotion of cellular regeneration and proliferation and the inhibition of inflammatory response. The core genes/targets may potentially serve as promising biomarkers for the diagnosis of diabetic foot ulcers.