Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2026 Aug;51(16):4723-4733. doi: 10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20260311.901.
ABSTRACT
This study employed a combination of in vivo and in vitro experiments to investigate the effects and mechanism of Gualou Xiebai Banxia Decoction(GXBD) on pulmonary vascular remodeling in rats with hypoxic pulmonary hypertension(HPH). For the in vivo experiment, 36 specific-pathogen-free(SPF)-grade Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were randomly divided into six groups(n=6 per group): control group, hypoxic model group, low-, middle-, and high-dose GXBD groups, and sildenafil group. The rats in the hypoxic model group and all treatment groups were exposed to a hypobaric oxygen chamber simulating an altitude of 5 500 m for 28 days to establish the HPH model, during which they received corresponding drug intervention, while the control group was raised normally. Relevant indicators were assessed using right ventricular catheterization, hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, transmission electron microscopy, and Western blot analysis. For the in vitro experiment, primary pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells(PASMCs) were isolated and cultured, and GXBD-containing serum was prepared. After exposure to 1% oxygen and screening of the optimal intervention concentration via cell counting kit-8(CCK-8), EdU staining, flow cytometry, and Western blot were used to detect cell proliferation, apoptosis, and the expression of related proteins. The results showed that compared to the hypoxic model group, all doses of GXBD significantly reduced the mean pulmonary artery pressure(mPAP) of rats, alleviated pulmonary vascular remodeling and right ventricular hypertrophy, and attenuated the ultrastructural abnormalities of PASMCs. In the in vitro experiments, 10% and 15% GXBD-containing serum effectively inhibited hypoxia-induced excessive proliferation of PASMCs, promoted their apoptosis, and downregulated the expression of proliferation-related protein PCNA and the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. In conclusion, GXBD exerts a protective effect against HPH in rats by regulating the balance between proliferation and apoptosis of PASMCs, thereby inhibiting pulmonary vascular remodeling. These findings provide an experimental basis for the clinical prevention and treatment of HPH.
PMID:42693025 | DOI:10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20260311.901