Lingguizhugan decoction dynamically regulates MAPKs and AKT signaling pathways to retrogress the pathological progression of cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a grave health concern, with high morbidity and mortality, calling for the urgent need for new and alternative pharmacotherapies. Lingguizhugan decoction (LD) is a classic Chinese formula clinically used to treat HF. However, the underlying mechanisms involved are not fully elucidated. Purpose: Based on that, this study aims to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of LD on HF. Methods: After confirming the therapeutic benefits of LD in transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced HF mice, network pharmacology and transcriptomic analyzes were utilized to predict the potential molecular targets and pathways of LD treatment in failing hearts, which were evaluated at 3 and 9 w after TAC. UHPLC-QE-MS analysis was utilized to detect bioactive ingredients from LD and plasma of LD-treated rats. Results: Our results showed that LD markedly alleviated cardiac dysfunction via down-regulating CH-related genes and proteins expression in TAC mice. Significantly, cardiac hypertrophy signaling, including AKT and MAPKs signaling pathways, were identified, suggesting the pathways as likely regulatory targets for LD treatment. LD inhibited p38 and ERK phosphorylated expression levels, with the latter effect likely dependent on regulation of AMPK. Interestingly, LD exerted a dual modulatory role in the AKT-GSK3 beta/mTOR/P70S6K signaling pathway's regulation, which was characterized by stimulatory activity at 3 w and inhibitory effects at 9 w. Finally, 15 bioactive compounds detected from plasma were predicted as the potential regulators of the AKT-GSK3 beta/mTOR and MAPKs signaling pathways. Conclusion: Our study shows LD's therapeutic efficacy in failing hearts, signifies LD as HF medication that acts dynamically by balancing AKT-GSK3 beta/mTOR/P70S6K and MAPKs pathways, and reveals possible bioactive compounds responsible for LD effects on HF.