Abstract To multidimensionally analyze the clinical effects of Qianyang Yuyin Granules on elderly hypertensive patients through an "energy-inflammation-aging" network. Methods: Relevant datasets were retrieved from the GEO database. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed on the gene expression profiles of peripheral blood cells from patients with essential hypertension in dataset GSE24752. The GSEA referenced "GO gene sets" and "KEGG gene sets" to identify significantly enriched gene sets. A clinical trial was conducted using a randomized controlled study design. A total of 40 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled. The control group received standard antihypertensive treatment with angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) or combined calcium channel blockers (CCBs). In contrast, the treatment group received Qianyang Yuyin Granules in addition to the standard treatment for 12 weeks. Blood pressure levels and clinical efficacy were observed, and changes in energy metabolism indicators, DNA damage markers, and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in blood were measured using ELISA before and after treatment. Results: GSEA results indicated significant energy metabolism dysregulation in hypertensive patients. Clinical findings showed that both groups achieved blood pressure control without significant intergroup differences (P 0.05). In terms of clinical efficacy, the treatment group had a significantly higher effective rate compared to the control group (95% vs 65%，P＜0.05). After treatment, the treatment group showed a significant increase in NAD+ levels (P 0.01), with higher levels compared to the control group (P 0.05). The treatment group also exhibited a greater reduction in DNA damage marker 8-OHdG (P 0.01) and cell adhesion factors ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 (P 0.01) compared to the control group. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly reduced in the treatment group (P 0.01), with greater reductions compared to the control group (P 0.01, P 0.05). Anti-inflammatory cytokines IFN-α, IL-4, and IL-10 were significantly elevated in the treatment group (P 0.01), with higher levels compared to the control group (P 0.01). No significant adverse reactions were reported in either group. Conclusion: The "energy- inflammation- aging" network plays an important role in the pathological mechanism of hypertension patients. Qianyang Yuyin granules may delay the aging process by increasing patients' energy metabolism levels, reducing DNA oxidative damage, and maintaining the balance of inflammatory factors.
Fang et al. (2025) studied this question.