Ethnopharmacological relevance

The regulation of epigenetic factors is considered a crucial target for solving complex chronic diseases such as cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. HuangqiGuizhiWuwu Decoction (HGWWD), a classic Chinese prescription, is mainly used to treat various vascular diseases. Although our previous studies reported that HGWWD could effectively prevent vascular dysfunction in diabetic rodent models, the precise mechanism is still elusive.

Aim of the study

In this study, we investigated the epigenetic mechanisms of modulating the damage of vascular endothelial cells in diabetes by HGWWD.

Methods

We first analyzed common active components of HGWWD by using HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis, and predicted the isoforms of histone deacetylase (HDAC) that can potentially combine the above active components by systems pharmacology. Next, we screened the involvement of specific HDAC isoforms in the protective effect of HGWWD on vascular injury by using pharmacological blockade combined with the evaluation of vascular function in vivo and in vitro.

Results

Firstly, HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3, HDAC4, HDAC6, HDAC7, SIRT2, and SIRT3 have been implicated with the possibility of binding to the thirty-one common active components in HGWWD. Furthermore, the protective effect of HGWWD is reversed by both TSA (HDAC inhibitor) and MC1568 (class II HDAC inhibitor) on vascular impairment accompanied by reduced aortic HDAC activity in STZ mice. Finally, inhibition of HDAC4 blocked the protective effect of HGWWD on microvascular and endothelial dysfunction in diabetic mice.

Conclusions

These results prove the key role of HDAC4 in diabetes-induced microvascular dysfunction and underlying epigenetic mechanisms for the protective effect of HGWWD in diabetes.