Key result
Guan-Xin-Kang significantly reduces lipids and atherosclerotic plaque area in mice via ERK5-independent pathways.
Why the study?
The effects and potential mechanisms of Guan-Xin-Kang and its active component Astragaloside IV in atherosclerosis remained to be investigated.
GXK and its active component AS-IV improve atherosclerosis in mice, with AS-IV specifically targeting the ERK5 pathway to mediate macrophage efferocytosis.
To investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of Guan-Xin-Kang (GXK) and its active component Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) in atherosclerosis. Using GXK and AS-IV intervention on high-fat diet-fed macrophage-specific ERK5 knockout LDLR −/− mice (ERK5-MKO/LDLR −/− ) and non-transgenic littermate control LDLR−/− mice (NLC/LDLR −/− ), we assessed peripheral blood lipid levels, aortic lesion area, cellular composition, and the expression of efferocytosis-related genes. GXK significantly reduced blood lipid levels, atherosclerotic plaque area, expression of the macrophage marker MAC3, and increased the expression of the smooth muscle cell marker SMA. It also regulated the expression of efferocytosis-related genes Axl, PPARD, TIM4, and C1QA, regardless of ERK5 knockout. In ERK5 knockout mice, the effects of AS-IV on macrophage marker MAC3, smooth muscle cell marker SMA, and efferocytosis-related genes Axl, PPARD, TIM4, and C1QA were abolished. This study confirms the therapeutic effects of GXK on atherosclerotic mice and reveals that GXK targets additional pathways beyond ERK5, whereas its active component AS-IV may specifically target ERK5.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Wei et al. (2025) studied atherosclerosis. Guan-Xin-Kang (GXK) and Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) was evaluated on peripheral blood lipid levels, aortic lesion area, cellular composition, and the expression of efferocytosis-related genes. Guan-Xin-Kang significantly reduced blood lipid levels and atherosclerotic plaque area in mice, targeting pathways beyond ERK5, whereas its active component Astragaloside IV specifically targeted ERK5.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: