Assessing Dazhu Hongjingtian: Protection Against Acute Hypoxic Organ Damage and Analysis of Its Main Pharmaceutical Components.

Abstract

Dazhu Hongjingtian (DZ), a traditional Tibetan medicine used for altitude sickness and blood stasis syndrome, currently lacks comprehensive pharmacological and quality control data. This study evaluated its antihypoxic effects in mice and established an HPLC-MS/MS method for quantifying 12 bioactive constituents. Acute hypoxic injury was induced by 12-h normobaric hypoxia (10% O2), and DZ water extract (DZE) was assessed via ELISA for oxidative stress, inflammation, and energy metabolism markers in brain, lung, heart, and liver. DZE dose-dependently attenuated oxidative stress (reduced H2O2 and MDA; elevated SOD, T-AOC, and GSH-Px), inhibited inflammation (reduced TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), and improved energy metabolism (enhanced Na+-K+-ATPase and ATP; reduced LDH and lactate). The HPLC-MS/MS method showed good linearity (r ≥ 0.9957), precision (RSD < 5%), and recovery (94.11%-102.46%). Gallic acid derivatives dominated the constituents (19.77 mg/g), followed by salidroside (12.15 mg/g) and flavonoids (6.62 mg/g). These findings demonstrate that DZE exerts potent antihypoxic effects through synergistic action of its macro- and micro-components, providing a mechanistic and analytical foundation for its use in the prevention and treatment of hypoxia-related diseases, particularly acute mountain sickness.