A Study on the Astragalus Radix–Angelicae Sinensis Radix Compatibility and Its Major Pharmacodynamic Components in Improving Vascular Endothelial Cell Injury

Objective: Astragalus Radix (AR) and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (ASR) are a common herb pair for preventing and treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in traditional Chinese medicine. However, the major pharmacodynamic components have not yet been revealed. Materials and Methods: An in vivo experiment was performed to investigate the protective effects of AR and ASR on vascular endothelial injury (VEI). Network pharmacology, bioinformatics, and molecular docking were conducted to explore the active ingredients, potential targets, biological processes, and pathways involved in AR-ASR compatibility against VEI. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry was used to evaluate changes in the dissolution, intestinal absorption, and blood entry rate of major pharmacodynamic components. In addition, an in vitro vascular endothelial cell (VEC) injury model was used to verify the protective effects and mechanisms of the major pharmacodynamic components used alone and in combination. Results: AR-ASR compatibility significantly mitigated vascular intimal hyperplasia and reduced collagen deposition caused by VEI. Network pharmacology and bioinformatics evaluations revealed a vital role for the major pharmacodynamic components of AR-ASR (calycosin-7-O-glucoside, calycosin, formononetin, astragaloside IV, astragaloside I, and ferulic acid) in the regulation of VEC functional homeostasis (apoptosis, proliferation, vascular systolic and diastolic function, extracellular matrix, coagulation, and fibrinolysis), which was validated through molecular docking and in vitro experiments. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the protective effect of AR and ASR on VECs and their related mechanisms, including promoting endothelial cell proliferation, reducing apoptosis, protecting vascular systolic and diastolic function, and regulating coagulation and fibrinolysis.