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Mechanisms of Shengxian Quyu Decoction In Heart Failure Using an Untargeted Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology
Dongxia Li1, Xinyi Zhou2, Shiyi Tao2
1Department of Preventive Medicine, Beijing Changping District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital.
Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove
|June 15, 2026
Summary
Shengxian Quyu decoction (SXQY) improves heart failure (HF) by enhancing cardiac function and reducing myocardial damage. This traditional Chinese medicine acts through multiple compounds and pathways, offering a novel therapeutic approach for HF.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Systems Biology
Background:
- Heart failure (HF) poses a significant global health challenge with limited treatment options.
- Shengxian Quyu decoction (SXQY) is a traditional Chinese medicine proposed for HF, but its mechanisms are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic effects of SXQY on a rat model of heart failure (HF).
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of SXQY action in HF using a multi-omics and network pharmacology approach.
Main Methods:
- Heart failure induced in rats via transverse aortic constriction (TAC) and treated with SXQY.
- Cardiac function assessed using echocardiography; myocardial structure and fibrosis evaluated via histology.
- Serum metabolomics performed using UPLC-MS/MS; compound-target mapping and network analysis (PPI, GO, KEGG) conducted.
Main Results:
- SXQY treatment significantly improved cardiac function and alleviated cardiac hypertrophy, inflammation, and fibrosis in TAC rats.
- Metabolomics identified 563 blood-entry compounds, with 5 key active compounds and 63 targets identified.
- Network analysis revealed core components (Formononetin, Timosaponin BII, Sinensetin) and hub targets (PTGS2, PPARG, HSP90AA1), acting via Ca2+, PI3K-Akt, cAMP, and inflammatory pathways.
Conclusions:
- SXQY demonstrates significant protective effects against HF in a preclinical model.
- The therapeutic benefits are attributed to a multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway mechanism.
- SXQY represents a promising therapeutic strategy for managing heart failure.
