Elucidating the Neuroinflammatory Modulatory Mechanisms of Maixuekang Capsule via Network Pharmacology in Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Rats
Network pharmacology study published in Developmental Neurobiology (2026)
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is a prominent cause of morbidity and mortality, affecting numerous people worldwide. The exact role of Maixuekang capsule in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CI/RI) remains elusive. The present study aimed to delve into the neuroprotective potential of Maixuekang in CI/RI rats. Utilizing the HREB database, leech ingredients were retrieved, while GeneCards, therapeutic target database (TTD), and DisGeNET databases were used to predict cerebral infarction targets. Search tool for the retrieval of interacting genes/proteins (STRING) database was adopted to identify overlapping genes, and Cytoscape 3.9.1 to analyze core targets. The gene ontology (GO)/ Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway were analyzed and neurological function was assessed via Longa scoring. The 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC), Golgi, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and Nissl stains were adopted to observe cerebral infarction and pathological changes. The neuronal apoptosis, hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1A), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and inflammatory factors in rat were measured. Results suggested Maixuekang reduced the neurological function score and the cerebral infarction incidence in CI/RI rats. After taking Maixuekang, the number of dendritic spines of CI/RI rats increased, the neuronal damage degree in the ischemic cortical area reduced, and the neurons morphology improved. In addition, Maixuekang reduced the blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage and brain tissue water content by decreasing neuronal apoptosis rate, Bax expression, neutrophil infiltration, inflammatory factor levels, and increasing Bcl2 by decreasing HIF1A in CI/RI rat tissues. Collectively, Maixuekang could reduce neurological function, cerebral infarction rate, blood-brain barrier damage, neuroinflammation and downregulates HIF1A in tissues of CI/RI rats.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Network pharmacology and rat model study showing the leech-derived Maixuekang capsule reduces neurological function score, cerebral infarction area, blood-brain barrier damage, and neuroinflammation via HIF1A and Bax/Bcl2 modulation in cerebral I/R injury.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
This study used network pharmacology combined with in vivo experiments to investigate the neuroprotective mechanisms of Maixuekang capsule in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats. Leech ingredients were retrieved from the HREB database as part of the analytical workflow, and results showed that Maixuekang reduced neurological deficit scores, cerebral infarction incidence, blood-brain barrier damage, neutrophil infiltration, and inflammatory cytokines while increasing dendritic spines and improving neuronal morphology, with effects linked to HIF1A downregulation. The abstract indicates that leech ingredients were retrieved from a database during the analysis but does not explicitly state that leech is an ingredient of Maixuekang itself, so a definitive link to hirudotherapy cannot be confirmed. Maixuekang is studied as a multi-component preparation, and observed effects cannot be attributed specifically to leech-derived components.
Citación
Elucidating the Neuroinflammatory Modulatory Mechanisms of Maixuekang Capsule via Network Pharmacology in Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Rats.
Han H et al. · Developmental Neurobiology, 2026
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026