Integrated Network Pharmacology and Experimental Study: Bioactive Compounds and Mechanisms of XuanTong BuLuo...

Diabetic Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious diabetic complication with limited therapies. While XuanTong BuLuo Decoction (XTBLD) benefits diabetic complications, its active components and anti-DCM mechanisms are unclear. This study aimed to predict XTBLD's active ingredients, key targets, and related pathways against DCM via network pharmacology, and verify them by animal experiments.

Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to screen XTBLD's active components, potential targets against DCM, and their binding affinity. Animal experiments evaluated XTBLD's therapeutic effects on DCM by assessing glycemic control, inflammation, and key protein expression in related pathways.

A total of 173 active ingredients were screened from XTBLD, with 217 intersecting genes obtained. Enrichment analysis revealed 125 signaling pathways, with 11 involved in XTBLD against DCM. Five main active components were identified using UPLC-MS/MS. In diabetic mice, XTBLD showed positive effects on blood glucose control, inflammatory response, and creatine kinase isoenzyme levels, as well as the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3.

This study demonstrates that XTBLD exerts cardioprotective effects against DCM via regulating its key active components, core targets (CDKN1A, IGFBP3), and related signaling pathways, providing a scientific basis for XTBLD's clinical application in DCM management.

XTBLD may exhibits a potential protective effect on glycemic control and myocardial injury by regulating signaling pathways associated with cell growth, apoptosis, and inflammatory responses, with puerarin, luteolin, formononetin, kaempferol, and quercetin proposed as its potential main active components.