# Shenqi Granules Enhance Recovery from Myocardial Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury by Downregulating MMP9 and ADH1C

## TL;DR

Shenqi Granules may help treat heart damage by reducing harmful proteins MMP9 and ADH1C in rats.

## Contribution

Identifies MMP9 and ADH1C as key targets of Shenqi Granules in treating myocardial injury.

## Key findings

- SQG reduced heart damage and improved heart function in rats with myocardial injury.
- Network analysis identified MMP9 and ADH1C as key therapeutic targets of SQG.
- Active ingredients in SQG bind to MMP9/ADH1C, offering cardioprotective effects.

## Abstract

Background: Shenqi granule (SQG) was used clinically to strengthen the spleen and boost energy, alleviating physical weakness and limb fatigue caused by energy deficiency. However, the specific effects and potential molecular mechanisms of SQG in myocardial infarction (MI) treatment remain to be clarified. Methods: This study thoroughly evaluates SQG’s role in improving MIRI in rats using a biological approach. Network pharmacology, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), receiver operating characteristic (ROC), and immune landscape analysis were used to analyze components and key molecular targets. The therapeutic targets of SQG were then validated through molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and experiments. Results: SQG reduced myocardial infarct size and improved myocardial function in rats. Network pharmacology analysis found that six bioactive compounds in SQG could target four proteins. Using WGCNA and ROC, two key targets of SQG were identified, MMP9 and ADH1C. Importantly, integrating PPI network prediction, molecular docking, and expression correlation analyses, MMP9 and ADH1C demonstrate strong physical binding potential and expression association, suggesting their possible involvement in MIRI-related pathways through the immune microenvironment. Molecular experiments and other methods confirmed that the five active ingredients in SQG (luteolin, quercetin, hederagenin, 7-O-methylisomucronulatol, and stigmasterol) can exert cardioprotective effects by stably binding to MMP9/ADH1C. Conclusions: SQG reduces myocardial infarct volume and enhances myocardial function in MIRI rats, likely via inhibiting MMP9 and ADH1C expression. This suggests SQG’s potential as a therapeutic agent for MI, with findings offering strong scientific support for SQG’s use in cardiovascular disease research.