XinLi formula, a traditional Chinese decoction, alleviates chronic heart failure via regulating the interaction of AGTR1 and AQP1

Background: XinLi formula (XLF) is a traditional Chinese medicine used in clinical practice to treat chronic heart failure (CHF) in humans, with remarkable curative effect. However, the mechanism remains unknown. Purpose: The goal of the current investigation was to determine how XLF affected CHF in a rat model of the condition brought on by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery, and to investigate the underlying mechanism. Study design and methods: Cardiac function was detected by echocardiography. The contents of myocardial enzymes, Ang II, ALD, TGF-beta 1, and inflammatory factors were measured by ELISA. Myocardial injury and myocardial fibrosis were evaluated by HE and Masson staining. Myocardial edema was assessed by cardiac mass index and transmission electron microscopy. Using Western blot and immunohistochemistry to examining the protein expression of inflammasome, TGF-beta 1, AGTR1, and AQP1 in the left ventricle. Furthermore, the interaction of AGTR1 and AQP1 was evaluated by co-immunoprecipitation. Results: XLF attenuated myocardial enzymes and myocardial injury, and improved cardiac function in rats with CHF after myocardial infarction. It also reduced Ang II and ALD levels in CHF rats, and suppressed the expression of AGTR1 and TGF-beta 1, finally alleviated myocardial fibrosis. By mechanism, XLF inhibited the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome proteins, reduced the plasma contents of IL-1 beta, IL-18, IL-6 and TNF-alpha. Additionally, XLF inhibited the expression of AQP1 and the interaction of AGTR1 and AQP1, alleviating myocardial edema. The common structure of the main chemical constituents of XLF were glycoside compounds with glycosyl. Conclusion: XLF ameliorated CHF, which was evidenced by the alleviation of myocardial fibrosis by inhibiting AGTR1/NLRP3 signal, as well as the attenuation of myocardial edema by suppressing the interaction of AGTR1 and AQP1.