Evidence mapPaperPMID 42421043Full record

ArticleChinese medicine2026

Qishen Granules attenuate adverse ventricular remodeling in chronic heart failure by promoting Legumain/Arg1/Rac1-mediated efferocytosis of resident cardiac macrophages.

Meijiao Tao, Shixuan Min, Jiali Liu, Huishi Xiao, Tong Xiao, Sisi Liang, Xin Liu, Jun Wang, Yulin Ouyang, Ruijia Wen and 4 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Chinese medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Meijiao TaoChinese Medicine Guangdong Laboratory/Hengqin Laboratory, Hengqin, 519031, Guangdong, China.
Shixuan MinChinese Medicine Guangdong Laboratory/Hengqin Laboratory, Hengqin, 519031, Guangdong, China.
Jiali LiuChinese Medicine Guangdong Laboratory/Hengqin Laboratory, Hengqin, 519031, Guangdong, China.
Huishi XiaoSchool of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China.
Tong XiaoClinical Medical College of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China.
Sisi LiangSchool of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China.
Xin LiuInstitute of Formula and Syndrome, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China.
Jun WangInstitute of Formula and Syndrome, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China.
Yulin OuyangInstitute of Formula and Syndrome, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China.
Ruijia WenInstitute of Formula and Syndrome, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China.
Lei WangDongguan Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Dongguan, 523000, Guangdong, China.
Wei WangInstitute of Formula and Syndrome, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China. wangwei26960@126.com.
Yao ZhangSchool of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China. zhangyao@gzucm.edu.cn.
Chun LiInstitute of Formula and Syndrome, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China. lichun19850204@163.com.

Funding

Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Syndrome and Formula 2022B1212010012National Natural Science Foundation of China 82230126National Natural Science Foundation of China 82505225National Natural Science Foundation of China 82574742the Chinese Medicine Guangdong Laboratory 2024 Graduate Program HQL2024GR004the National Key Research and Development Program of China 2022YFC3500100the Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases-National Science and Technology Major Project 2023ZD0502600
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundVentricular remodeling is a key pathological feature of chronic heart failure (CHF). Following myocardial infarction (MI), impaired macrophage efferocytosis sustains cardiac inflammation, disrupts tissue repair, and accelerates adverse remodeling and dysfunction. Qishen Granules (QSG) is a classical traditional Chinese medicine formulation used in the clinical treatment of heart failure. However, its regulatory effects on efferocytosis in resident cardiac macrophages (RCMs) remain unclear. PURPOSE: This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which QSG regulates Legumain-mediated efferocytosis in RCMs and to identify the key bioactive compounds.

methodsA mouse model of post-MI heart failure was established via ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The therapeutic effects of QSG were evaluated in isolated RCMs obtained using magnetic-activated cell sorting. Mechanistic investigations were conducted using transcriptomic analysis, network pharmacology, live-cell imaging, and siRNA-mediated gene silencing. In addition, UPLC-Q-Exactive MS, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations were employed to systematically study the active compounds of QSG.

resultsQSG treatment restored the population of RCMs and enhanced their efferocytic capacity in CHF, thereby reducing cardiomyocyte apoptosis, promoting inflammatory resolution, and improving ventricular structure and function. Mechanistically, QSG upregulated Legumain expression and activated the Arg1/Rac1 signaling axis to facilitate cytoskeletal remodeling and enhance phagocytic efficiency. Further analyses identified tanshinone IIA, neocryptotanshinone and calycosin as the core bioactive compounds of QSG. All three compounds upregulated Legumain expression and exhibited stable binding affinity toward Legumain.

conclusionQSG restores efferocytic capacity in RCMs by targeting the Legumain/Arg1/Rac1 signaling axis, thereby attenuating adverse ventricular remodeling in CHF.

Indexed as

EfferocytosisHeart failureLegumainQishen GranulesResident cardiac macrophagesVentricular remodeling

Identifiers

PMID42421043
PMCPMC13343700

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.