Pseudostellaria heterophylla polysaccharides attenuate diabetic lower limb ischemia via CYP2E1-mediated mitochondrial homeostasis and PANoptosis regulation.

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications pose a significant threat to human health. Diabetes-related lower limb ischemia (DLLI), as a severe complication of diabetic macrovascular disease, presents substantial challenges in clinical management.

PURPOSE: The pharmacodynamic profile and mode of action of Pseudostellaria heterophylla polysaccharides (PHP) in DLLI treatment constitute the core investigative objectives herein.

STUDY

DESIGN

Using complementary in vivo (DLLI murine model) and in vitro (high glucose (HG)-exposed human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)) systems, PHP's bioactivity was systematically profiled.

METHODS

In vivo: The effects of PHP on blood perfusion, microvessel density, and PANoptosome assembly in the ischemic limbs of DLLI mice were evaluated. In vitro: HUVECs treated with HG were used to assess PHP's regulatory effects on angiogenesis functions (cell migration, proliferation, tube formation), PANoptosome/inflammasome formation, key components of the PANoptotic pathway, reactive oxygen species (ROS/mtROS), mitochondrial homeostasis, and autophagy. Transcriptomic analysis was conducted to identify potential target genes.

RESULTS

In vivo: PHP significantly improved blood perfusion, increased microvessel density, and modulated PANoptosome assembly in ischemic limbs. In vitro: PHP reversed HG-induced angiogenesis dysfunction, inhibited PANoptosis and oxidative stress, restored mitochondrial function, and enhanced autophagic activity.

MECHANISM: PHP exerted its effects by targeting cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP2E1 through downregulating its expression, thereby alleviating mitochondrial damage and PANoptosis. Additionally, CYP2E1 downregulation promoted endothelial cell migration.

CONCLUSION

We pioneered a PANoptosome-centric framework for DLLI, proving that PHP target CYP2E1 to restore mitochondrial homeostasis, inhibit PANoptosis, and drive angiogenesis, thereby offering a novel natural product-derived therapeutic strategy. Collectively, this work establishes PHP as a promising candidate for DLLI treatment through CYP2E1-mediated restoration of mitochondrial homeostasis and PANoptosis suppression.