Investigating the Therapeutic Potential of Compound Fufangteng Oral Liquid in Chronic Heart Failure: Efficacy in a Multifactorial Model.

INTRODUCTION: CHF is a complex syndrome involving neurohormonal overactivation, inflammation, and myocardial injury. Current therapies remain limited. Compound Fufangteng Oral Liquid (CFFOL) shows multi-target potential, but its effects across different CHF models remain unclear. The study aims to investigate CFFOL's therapeutic effects in three CHF models (qi deficiency, cardiac overload, myocardial injury) and clarify its dose-response relationship. METHODS: Three CHF models were established in rats/mice. Animals were randomized into blank control, model, captopril, and CFFOL groups. Cardiac function (EF, FS) was assessed by echocardiography. Serum NT-proBNP, TNF-α, and myocardial enzymes (CK, LDH, α-HBDH) were measured by ELISA. Heart tissues were collected for H&E staining. RESULTS: CFFOL significantly improved cardiac function (EF, FS), reduced serum NT-proBNP, CK, LDH, α-HBDH, and TNF-α levels, and alleviated myocardial pathological changes (vacuolization, fiber disorganization, nuclear condensation, fibrosis). DISCUSSION: Our findings demonstrate that CFFOL exerts cardioprotective effects across multiple CHF models by reducing myocardial damage and attenuating inflammation, consistent with known activities of ginsenosides and astragaloside IV. However, mechanistic claims (JAK/STAT, TGF-β/Smad, IL-17) remain speculative, as molecular assays were not performed. Limitations include lack of blinding, male-only animals, and no pharmacokinetic data. Future studies should incorporate blinded designs, both sexes, and pathway-specific molecular validation. CONCLUSION: CFFOL shows potential for heart failure treatment, particularly in qi deficiency syndrome. Further clinical studies are needed.