Astragalus Polysaccharide Ameliorates Myocardial Ischemia by Regulating BCL-2 Signaling-Mediated Mitochondri-al Function: A Combined Bioinformatics and Experimental Study

This study aimed to identify AMI biomarkers and explore the cardioprotective mechanisms of Astragalus polysaccharides (APS). Bioinformatics analysis of GEO datasets, weighted gene co‑expression network analysis, and machine learning identified four mitochondrial‑related biomarkers, with ACSL1 and BCL2A1 closely correlated with the NF‑κB pathway.

A rat AMI model was established via coronary ligation and treated with APS for 21 days. APS improved cardiac function, reduced infarct size, ameliorated mitochondrial ultrastructure damage, and promoted angiogenesis. Mechanistically, APS upregulated BCL‑2, downregulated pro‑apoptotic proteins, and inhibited NF‑κB p65 phosphorylation.