Network Pharmacology Analysis and Experimental Validation Reveal the Mechanism of Action of Longlutong Decoction in the Treatment ofCoronary Heart Disease

Introduction: Longlutong Decoction (LLTD) is a Chinese traditional prescription used for coronary heart disease (CHD). The present study aimed to illuminate the mechanisms of LLTD treatment on CHD. Methods: The therapeutic effect of LLTD on CHD was investigated using a CHD rat model. The chemical components of LLTD were identified, following which network pharmacology approaches were utilized to identify active components and disease-related targets. GO and KEGG analyses were conducted to explore potential molecular mechanisms. Finally, the molecular mechanism of LLTD treatment of CHD was verified. Results: Histopathological assessment revealed markedly attenuated myocardial injury severity in the medicated groups when compared to the model group. Moreover, 81 potential active ingredients were identified in LLTD, with 645 overlapping targets between component targets and disease targets. Network analysis identified Pinocembrin, Magnoflorine, Jatrorrhizine as key active ingredients, and AKT1, TNF, IL-6, STAT3, and Bcl-2 as primary core targets. A total of 1792 biological processes were affected according to GO analysis, and 187 pathways were identified through KEGG analysis. Finally, molecular docking and experimental results validated that LLTD could alleviate cardiomyocyte injury in CHD by regulating the primary core targets. Discussion: This study indicates that LLTD may achieve systematic modulating of the signaling network through a "network pharmacology" model, which provides valuable insights for the development of multi-target therapies targeting the complex pathological mechanism underlying CHD. Conclusion: LLTD may exert cardioprotective effects by regulating inflammatory responses, apoptosis, and oxidative stress.