Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation to Identify Potential Key Compounds of Danhong Injection in the Treatment of Myocardial Infarction

Myocardial infarction (MI) is currently one of the leading causes of death worldwide, which can lead to loss of heart function and heart failure in severe cases. Danhong injection (DHI) contains two traditional Chinese medicines, Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) and Carthamus tinctorius (Honghua). Previous studies have shown that DHI may play a role in the treatment of MI. However, the relevant molecular mechanisms of DHI in the treatment of MI are unclear, and the potential active compounds that play a major role in DHI also need to be identified. Network pharmacology analysis revealed overlapping genes between DHI and MI. The top 6 core targets were obtained from the PPI network, GO-BP, KEGG, and the targets mainly exist in lipid and atherosclerosis. Then, we screened the potential active compounds Beta-carotene and Tanshinone IIA in DHI, which mainly play a potential therapeutic role according to the molecular docking results. Animal experiments preliminarily verified the therapeutic effects of Beta-carotene and Tanshinone IIA in DHI on MI. The above findings provide preliminary theoretical support for further research into the treatment of MI and the development of new medicines.