Abstract
BACKGROUND: Vascular injury is a major contributor to the development of cardiovascular diseases. Following vascular damage, macrophages migrate to the injury site and, during the later stages of vascular repair, secrete cytokines such as interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-β1a (TGFB1A), thereby promoting vascular regeneration. Previous studies have demonstrated that macrophage recruitment to sites of tissue injury is mediated by the CXCR4A-CXCL12B signaling axis. In a screening of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs for cardiovascular therapeutic potential, Salvia miltiorrhiza root was identified as a promising source of bioactive compounds capable of enhancing vascular repair through modulation of the CXCR4A-CXCL12B axis. METHODS: Establishing a vascular injury model in transgenic zebrafish lines Tg (flk1:eGFP; gata1:dsRed) using a two-photon microscopy laser system. Dynamic monitoring of vascular repair via two-photon microscopy. Evaluate macrophage migration capacity in a Tg (mpeg1:eGFP) zebrafish vascular injury model using confocal microscopy. Detection of il-10 and tgfb1a expression released by macrophages via qPCR experiments. Detect CXCR4A-CXCL12B expression at the site of zebrafish vascular injury via fluorescence in situ hybridization coupled with antibody staining. RESULTS: We confirm that compounds from the selected extract promote macrophage migration to vascular injury sites by upregulating the CXCR4A-CXCR12B signaling axis. This process accelerates repair of damaged blood vessels in zebrafish by inducing the release of cytokines such as il-10 and tgfb1a. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that Salvia miltiorrhiza, a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, is a valuable source of bioactive compounds with pro-angiogenic properties. Our findings provide scientific support for the traditional use of Salvia miltiorrhiza active components in treating vascular injuries.