Work

Kaixin San in treating vascular dementia via regulating the Bcl-2/Beclin-1/LC3A/B signaling pathway via animal experiments and network pharmacology analysis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background Kaixin San (KXS), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, is used to treat vascular dementia (VaD), but its active ingredients and mechanisms remain unclear. This study combined animal experiments with network pharmacology to explore how KXS modulates the Bcl-2/Beclin-1/LC3A/B pathway in VaD treatment. Results LC‒MS/MS identified 164 active ingredients in the KXS ethanol extract. In 2-vessel occlusion model rats, KXS significantly improved learning and memory ( P <0.05 or P <0.01) and reduced hippocampal CA1 neuronal damage. Western blotting showed KXS upregulated Bcl-2/Bcl-XL and downregulated Beclin-1, LC3A/B, and Bax ( P <0.05). Immunofluorescence confirmed increased Bcl-2 and decreased Beclin-1 expression. Network pharmacology predicted 73 targets and 174 pathways, with TNF, AKT1, IL-1β, PTGS2, and ESR1 as key targets. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis linked these targets to cancer, atherosclerosis, and AGE-RAGE signaling pathways. Conclusions KXS alleviates VaD by modulating autophagy and apoptosis via Bcl-2/Beclin-1/LC3A/B, with multi-target, multi-pathway effects. These findings support further investigation of KXS as a potential therapy for VaD.

Source: Electronic Journal of Biotechnology

DOI: 10.1016/j.ejbt.2025.08.001

Authors: Meng-qi Li, Yu-cheng Lu, Yan-chun Li, Yu-fu Zeng, Ying-ying Cao, Ling Zhang, Ben Chen, Ling Chen, Wei-an Qiu, Zi-heng Huang

Institution: Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Neurological Disease Mechanisms and Treatments

Subfield: Neurology

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,100