Danshen decoction markedly reduced aortic plaque area and increased the collagen-to-lipid ratio, enhancing plaque stability via the Piezo1/YAP/Ang-1 pathway.
Does Danshen decoction improve atherosclerotic plaque stability in ApoE models?
Danshen decoction stabilizes vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques in preclinical models by promoting intraplaque neovessel maturation via the Piezo1/YAP/Ang-1 pathway.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Pathologically immature intraplaque neovessels lacking pericyte coverage and structural stability contribute to plaque rupture. Piezo1 activation impairs neovessel maturation by disrupting Ang-1-mediated endothelial-pericyte interactions, weakening neovessel integrity. Danshen decoction (DSD) is a clinically established traditional Chinese medicine formula for atherosclerosis treatment. This study investigates DSD's therapeutic mechanism in promoting neovascular maturation via Piezo1 inhibition. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the therapeutic effects of DSD on atherosclerotic plaque stability, focusing on its regulation of intraplaque neovessel maturation via Piezo1/YAP/Ang-1 signaling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: UHPLC-Q Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry was used to analyze the bioactive components of DSD, and network pharmacology analysis combined with molecular docking was employed to screen and validate the most promising bioactive candidates. ApoE RESULTS: DSD markedly reduced aortic plaque area and increased the collagen-to-lipid ratio, enhancing plaque stability in ApoE CONCLUSION: DSD stabilizes atherosclerotic plaques by inhibiting Piezo1, thereby promoting neovessel maturation through enhanced YAP/TAZ phosphorylation, JNK suppression, and Ang-1 upregulation. Limitations of this study include the reliance on a single-batch DSD formulation and the absence of direct co-culture validation for pericyte-endothelial paracrine interactions. Nevertheless, our findings highlight Piezo1 as a potential therapeutic target for mitigating plaque vulnerability.
Guo et al. (Fri,) conducted a other in Atherosclerosis. Danshen decoction (DSD) was evaluated on Aortic plaque area and collagen-to-lipid ratio. Danshen decoction markedly reduced aortic plaque area and increased the collagen-to-lipid ratio, enhancing plaque stability via the Piezo1/YAP/Ang-1 pathway.