Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill alleviates M1 macrophage polarization-induced inflammation and endothelial dysfunction to reduce coronary microvascular dysfunction via the Dectin-1/Syk/IRF5 pathway.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP), a traditional Chinese medicine compound, is fragrant, invigorates the qi, unblocks pulses, activates the blood circulation, removes blood stasis, and relieves pain. It is used clinically to treat coronary heart disease and angina pectoris. Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular events.

Macrophage Polarization, Metabolic Reprogramming, and Inflammatory Effects in Ischemic Heart Disease.

Macrophages are highly plastic cells, and the polarization-activating actions that represent their functional focus are closely related to metabolic reprogramming. The metabolic reprogramming of macrophages manifests itself as a bias toward energy utilization, transforming their inflammatory phenotype by changing how they use energy. Metabolic reprogramming effects crosstalk with the biological processes of inflammatory action and are key to the inflammatory function of macrophages.

Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pills Promote Macrophage Polarization-Induced Angiogenesis Against Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction PI3K/Akt/mTORC1 Pathway.

Accumulating evidence suggests that coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is one of the important causes of coronary artery diseases. Angiogenesis can effectively improve CMD by increasing blood supply capacity, recovering cardiac function and poor hemodynamics. Clinical studies have approved Shexiang Tongxin dropping pill (STDP), which has exerted remarkable roles on ameliorating CMD, but the effects and mechanisms of STDPs on angiogenesis have not been clarified.

Phenylethanol glycosides from Cistanche tubulosa improved reproductive dysfunction by regulating testicular steroids through CYP450-3β-HSD pathway.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Cistanche tubulosa (Schenk) R. Wight has been used frequently in traditional folk medicine for treatment of male sexual dysfunction (MSD). Phenylethanol glycosides, the main components of C.