Dragon's blood and its active components ameliorate pressure overload-induced heart failure via remodeling of cardiac lymphatics

作者：Xiang Z, Wang F, Zhang P, Peng J, Wang P, Zhang J · 发表于：Journal of ethnopharmacology · 年份：2026 · DOI：10.1016/j.jep.2026.121595 · 研究领域：Heart Failure、Plant Extracts、Dracaena、Cardiotonic Agents、Lymphatic Vessels、Animals、Male、Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3、Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C、Genistein、Macrophages、Lymphangiogenesis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Dragon's blood, a resinous exudate derived from Dracaena cochinchinensis, has been extensively utilized in traditional Chinese medicine for its hemostatic effects, promotion of blood circulation, and management of trauma- and inflammation-related conditions. Accumulating experimental evidence has highlighted its cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory properties; however, the mechanisms underpinnings of its therapeutic effects in heart failure remain incompletely elucidated, particularly with regard to cardiac lymphatic function and the role of macrophage-derived VEGFC-VEGFR3 signaling. AIM: This study aimed to investigate whether Dragon's blood and its active constituents confer cardioprotective effects in heart failure through the enhancement of cardiac lymphangiogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A transverse aortic constriction (TAC) model was employed to evaluate the effects of Dragon's blood on cardiac function, myocardial water content, and the expression of cardiac lymphatic markers. Chemical profiling of both total and blood-absorbed constituents, integrated with network pharmacology analysis, was performed to identify candidate bioactive compounds, which were subsequently screened in vitro for their ability to promote macrophage VEGFC secretion. The most active constituent, Genistein, was further investigated in macrophage-lymphatic endothelial cell co-culture assays to assess its capacity to enhance macrophage-derived VEGFC and stimula...