Therapeutic effects of Sheng Xue Fang in a cyclophosphamide-induced anaemia mouse model

Abstract

Context Sheng Xue Fang (SXF) has been used to treat anaemia for decades with good efficacy. Objective To study the effect and possible mechanism of SXF to restore haematopoietic function. Materials and methods Balb/c mice (10 per/group, half male, half female) were treated with SXF (three dose groups, 8.5, 17, and 22.1 g/kg) by gavage for 14 days, and cyclophosphamide (80 mg/kg) was injected on days 10–12. Only injection of cyclophosphamide (negative control) or physiological saline (blank control) were included as controls. The spleen and femur were processed for histopathology. Active components and the target of SXF were screened. The target was used for gene enrichment and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. Results Red blood cell relative changes in the SXF group (low: −5.50 ± 1.58%; medium: −11.11 ± 4.15%; high: −8.81 ± 2.67%) and relative negative control (26.21 ± 2.51%) significantly increased (all p < 0.01) in female mice. Haemoglobin and red blood cell-specific volume showed the same trend. However, SXF did not have significant effects on male mice. Splenic index in the medium group (4.44 ± 0.46%) relative negative control (3.38 ± 0.10%) significantly improved (p < 0.01) in female mice. Using network pharmacology, 77 active components and 337 targets were screened from SXF. These targets are closely related to the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Conclusions SXF has good clinical application potential. However, the mechanism requires in-depth research. Our findings are of great significance in anaemia treatment and provide a new perspective for Chinese medicine research.

Keywords

• network pharmacology
• red blood cell
• haematopoiesis