2. Academic Validation
  3. Shengmai-Yin resists myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury by inhibiting K27 ubiquitination of absent in melanoma 2

Shengmai-Yin resists myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury by inhibiting K27 ubiquitination of absent in melanoma 2

  • J Ethnopharmacol. 2025 Apr 9:345:119553. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2025.119553.
Xiaojin Xu 1,  Yuanyi Wang 2,  Ke Pei 3,  Chenhan Mao 4,  Fei Fang 5,  Tiantong Zhou 6,  Meng Zhang 7,  Pei-Na Meng 8,  Zilun Wei 9,  Chang Liu 10,  Yang Dai 11,  Rui Yin 12,  Zhaoyang Chen 13,  Xindong Wang 14
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 The Third Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, China; Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China. Electronic address: xuxiaojin@jsatcm.com.
  • 2 School of Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing, 210023, China. Electronic address: wyuanee@njucm.edu.cn.
  • 3 School of Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing, 210023, China. Electronic address: peike@njucm.edu.cn.
  • 4 The Third Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, China; Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, China. Electronic address: 20201266@njucm.edu.cn.
  • 5 School of Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing, 210023, China. Electronic address: fangfei20041120@njucm.edu.cn.
  • 6 Acupuncture and Moxibustion Massage College Health and Rehabilitation College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing, 210023, China. Electronic address: 1741890054@qq.com.
  • 7 Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China. Electronic address: 20201260@njucm.edu.cn.
  • 8 Department of Cardiology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210006, China. Electronic address: 527114121@qq.com.
  • 9 Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: ljdwdth@outlook.com.
  • 10 School of Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing, 210023, China. Electronic address: liuchang@njucm.edu.cn.
  • 11 The Third Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, China. Electronic address: dyofficial@outlook.com.
  • 12 The Third Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, China. Electronic address: 039218331@njucm.edu.cn.
  • 13 The Third Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, China. Electronic address: nzyczy@njucm.edu.cn.
  • 14 The Third Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, China; Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, China. Electronic address: wangxd@njucm.edu.cn.
PMID: 40010555 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2025.119553
Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury stands as a significant contributor to Cardiovascular Disease. Shengmai-Yin (SMY), a traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used in myocardial infarct treatment. However, the specific mechanism of SMY in treating myocardial I/R injury is currently limited.

Aim of study: The study aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of SMY in addressing myocardial I/R injury and elucidate its specific mechanisms.

Materials and methods: The active components of SMY were quantified using Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-MS/MS (UPLC-MS/MS). Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were treated with SMY post-I/R model establishment. Cardiac injury was assessed by heart weight to body weight ratio. Left ventricular function and infarct volume were evaluated using ultrasound cardiography and TTC staining. Tissue lesions were examined via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Sirius Red staining. Co-Immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) technology explored absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) and K27 Ubiquitination Modification (K27-Ub) interactions. Immunofluorescence staining detected Apoptosis-associated Speck-like Protein containing a CARD (ASC) and AIM2 co-localization. Adeno-associated Virus (AAV) was used to upregulate AIM2 levels, while Shikonin was used to downregulate AIM2, to explore its roles in SMY's therapeutic effects on I/R injury.

Results: SMY can reduce infarct size and enhance cardiac function. Furthermore, SMY can inhibit tissue fibrosis. Fibrosis markers and proinflammatory factors were reduced after SMY treatment. Serum levels of Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) and Creatine Kinase -MB (CK-MB) were also decreased. Mechanistically, SMY inhibits the activation of the AIM2 inflammasome by downregulating the K27 ubiquitination of AIM2. Overexpression of AIM2 reversed the anti-I/R effect of SMY, suggesting that AIM2 plays a crucial role in I/R injury. The AIM2 Inhibitor counteracts the therapeutic effect of SMY.

Conclusion: SMY inhibits the K27 ubiquitination modification of AIM2 and inhibits the activation of AIM2 inflammasomes after myocardial I/R injury.

Keywords

AIM2 inflammasome; K27 ubiquitination modification; Myocardial ischemia reperfusion; Shengmai-Yin; Traditional Chinese medicine.

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