Background Floralozone (FL) is medicine with the refreshing aroma of rabbit's ear grass, which can be used to prevent the progression of atherosclerosis and reduces endothelial dysfunction. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) is one of the receptors of vascular endothelial factor (VEGF), which mainly plays a negative role in cardiovascular system regulation mainly by acting as a decoy receptor in endothelial cells. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate whether FL can down-regulate VEGFR1 expression in treating diabetes-induced heart failure (HF). Methods We used high-sugar and high-fat diet and tail vein injection of streptozotocin (STZ) to establish the rat model of HF. After intragastric administration of FL, the left ventricular function, pathological changes, oxidative stress condition in HF rats were assessed by echocardiography, oxidative stress monitoring, hematoxylin-eosin histological staining, argyrophilic staining, Masson staining, lichen red staining. The expression of VEGFR1 in the myocardial tissue of HF rats was detected by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, western blot and RT-PCR analysis Results The HF model was established successfully. Through intragastric administration of FL, it was observed the cardiac function of HF rats was significantly improved, ventricular remodeling level was reversed, and the ability of antioxidant stress was enhanced. These therapeutic effects were closely connected with the down-regulation of VEGFR1 expression. ZM306416 is an antagonist of VEGFR1, which can up-regulate VEGFR1 expression and inhibit the protective effect of FL in rats with HF. Conclusions These results suggest that FL can play a salutary role in HF rats by down-regulating VEGFR1 expression, inhibiting ventricular remodeling and reducing oxidative stress.

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