Effects of sini decoction-mediated cellular mitochondrial autophagy on M1 macrophage polarization and its impact on a mouse model of peripheral artery disease.

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of Sini Decoction on a murine model of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and to explore its potential mechanisms of action related to mitochondrial autophagy and M1 macrophage polarization. A total of 36 specific-pathogen-free Kunming mice were used to establish a PAD model and were randomly assigned into four groups: the experimental group (EG, administered Sini Decoction via gavage), the control group (CG, administered rapamycin via gavage), the model group (MG, administered 0.9% sodium chloride solution via gavage), and the normal group (NG, administered 0.9% sodium chloride solution via gavage). Serum inflammatory cytokines, mitochondrial autophagy-related proteins (LC3bII and p62), M1 macrophage markers (iNOS and COX2), key proteins in the mitochondrial autophagy pathway (PINK1 and Parkin), relative mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content, and mitochondrial function indicators [oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR)] were measured and analyzed. The serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10, and MCP-1 were significantly decreased in both the EG and CG compared to the MG (P < 0.05), with the EG showing considerably greater reductions than the CG (P < 0.05). Compared with the CG, the EG exhibited significantly increased protein and mRNA expression levels of LC3bII, p62, iNOS, and COX2 (P < 0.05), considerably elevated mitochondrial OCR, and considerably reduced ECAR (P < 0.05). Additionally, the relative mtDNA content and the percentage of atherosclerotic lesion area were markedly lower in the EG than in the CG (P < 0.05). Moreover, the expression level of PINK1 and Parkin proteins were significantly increased in both the EG and CG compared to the MG (P < 0.05). Sini Decoction demonstrated superior efficacy in ameliorating PAD compared to the autophagy inducer rapamycin. Its therapeutic effects may be associated with the promotion of mitochondrial autophagy and the induction of M1 macrophage polarization.