Exploring the Molecular Mechanism of Schisandrin C for the Treatment of Atherosclerosis via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Autophagy Pathway

Hong Duan; Han Li; Tianyi Liu; Yuan Chen; Mengmeng Luo; Ying Shi; Jing Zhou; Marwan M A Rashed; Kefeng Zhai; Lili Li; Zhaojun Wei

doi:10.1021/acsomega.4c03738

Exploring the Molecular Mechanism of Schisandrin C for the Treatment of Atherosclerosis via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Autophagy Pathway

ACS Omega. 2024 Jul 16;9(30):32920-32930. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.4c03738. eCollection 2024 Jul 30.

Authors

Hong Duan^{1

2}, Han Li^{1

2}, Tianyi Liu¹, Yuan Chen^{1

2}, Mengmeng Luo^{1

2}, Ying Shi^{1

2}, Jing Zhou^{1

2}, Marwan M A Rashed¹, Kefeng Zhai^{1

2}, Lili Li³, Zhaojun Wei⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Biological and Food Engineering, Engineering Research Center for Development and High Value Utilization of Genuine Medicinal Materials in North Anhui Province, Suzhou University, Suzhou, Anhui 234000, China.
² College of Biological and Food Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China.
³ General Clinical Research Center, Anhui Wanbei Coal-Electricity Group General Hospital, Suzhou 234000, China.
⁴ School of Biological Science and Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, China.

Abstract

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a common cardiovascular disease that poses a major threat to health. Schisandra chinensis is a medicinal and edible plant that is commonly used to treat cardiovascular diseases. In this paper, HPLC was used to detect and analyze 5 different components in Schisandra chinensis. Network pharmacological predictions highlight the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway as an important pharmacological pathway. The effective ingredient Schisandrin C was screened by the molecular docking technique. ox-LDL-induced HUVECs were used to construct the atherosclerosis model for further experimental verification. The results showed that Schisandrin C interfered with the PI3K/AKT/mTOR autophagy pathway. This study lays a foundation for the further application of Schisandrin C in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis in the future.