Network pharmacology follows the dogma of “drug-targets-gene-disease,” to predict drug targets and improve the efficiency of drug discovery effort. In our previous study, by using a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), we have validated the synergetic effect of hydroxysafflor yellow A and astragaloside IV (main constituents of HH) in removing blood stasis (QDBS) syndrome. Huangqi-Honghua (HH) herb pair has been used widely in clinical practice for treating Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, especially cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases, with a long history, such as Buyang Huanwu decoction, a well-known TCM formula. (Honghua), a dried flower, often used to promote blood circulation, dispel blood stasis, and relieve pain. Radix Astragali (Huangqi) is the dry root of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge, which has been commonly used in patients with stroke or chronic weakness in China because it can enhance Qi and dispel blood stasis, with antioxidation, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulation, and anticancer effects in modern medical research. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been shown to be beneficial in promoting developmental angiogenesis, which highlights “reinforcing qi to enrich the blood, dispelling stasis to promote regeneration” theory by associating with angiogenesis together. Therefore, proangiogenesis may be a valid antistroke strategy to address current clinical hurdles associated with a stroke patient, which has the potential to repair and rewire the injured nerve connections.
Previous studies have indicated that the higher the vascular density of ischemic penumbra, the longer the survival time of ischemic stroke patients. Developing an effective strategy to increase the blood supply to the ischemic area may potentially rescue the brain tissue from death and may improve the recovery rate of the patients. One of the devastating consequences of CI is decreased blood supply to the injured brain, and it leads to the functional impairment of the brain tissue in the affected area.
Thus, there is an unmet need for developing regenerative medicine to address CI and its secondary effects. Irrespective of the current standard of care options (e.g., mechanical or pharmacological (tissue plasminogen activator, tPA) reperfusion) available in the clinical practice, there is an unmet need for ischemic stroke because of the narrow treatment time window. Ischemic stroke (cerebral ischemia, CI) has become a major public health concern with morbidity, mortality, and health care costs.
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