Biomarkers and potential mechanisms of Chinese medicine compound (Chuanhong Zhongfeng Capsule) in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction

Objective

Acute Cerebral Infarction (ACI) is characterized by high disability and recurrence rates, posing a significant threat to public health. The Chuanhong Zhongfeng (CHZF) Capsule, developed by national medical master Jixue Ren, has been clinically proven to promote neurological function recovery, reduce disability rates, and improve long-term prognosis in patients with cerebral infarction. However, the specific targets and potential mechanisms of action remain unclear. This study aims to elucidate, for the first time, the potential targets of CHZF Capsule in treating ACI and improving long-term prognosis, thereby providing direction for future research on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) compounds in ACI prevention and treatment (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06874140).

Methods

The study focused on identifying unique differential proteins in ACI patients treated with CHZF Capsule. Twenty ACI patients were divided into a medication group (CHZ) and a control group (DZZ) based on CHZF Capsule administration. Mass spectrometry analysis was performed using 4D label-free proteome quantification technology to identify differential proteins between the groups. Functional enrichment analysis, including Gene Ontology (GO) classification and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, was conducted to determine enrichment trends related to differential proteins. Hierarchical clustering was employed to identify relevant pathways enriched in each group based on P-values from the enrichment analysis. The STRING (v.11.5) protein interactions network database was utilized to obtain differential protein interactions, corresponding target proteins, and major related pathways. Parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) was subsequently applied to validate the selected target proteins. Finally, chord diagrams and ROC curves were plotted for visualization and analysis.

Results

Mass spectrometry analysis identified 1400 proteins, of which 1360 were quantitatively comparable. Using a P-value < 0.05 and change thresholds of > 1.5 for significant up-regulation and < 1/1.5 for significant down-regulation, 63 differential proteins were identified (27 upregulated and 36 downregulated). Cluster analysis revealed that Q4 (>2.0) was most closely associated with the complement and coagulation cascade pathway (hsp04610). Six proteins involved in acute inflammatory responses and immune processes were validated through PRM experiments: Complement factor H-related protein (CFHR) 4, Mannose-binding lectin protein (MBL) 2, Orosomucoid (ORM) 1, ORM2, Vascular non-inflammatory factor (VNN) 1, and Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) -A. Chord plots and ROC curve analysis suggested the following order of biomarker sensitivity: CFHR4 > MBL2 > VNN1 > ORM1 = ORM2 > HLA-A.

Conclusion

The observed changes in these six proteins in ACI patients may serve as indicators of long-term prognosis. The complement and coagulation cascade pathway is closely associated with ACI development. These findings provide a basis for ACI recurrence prevention and contribute to the development of integrated Chinese and Western medicine approaches for ACI treatment.