Mechanisms Underlying the Cardioprotection of YangXinDingJi Capsule against Myocardial Ischemia in Rats

Abstract

Background. YangXinDingJi (YXDJ) capsule is one of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) derived from Zhigancao decoction, which is usually used for the treatment of cardiovascular disease in China. Aim of the Study. Cardiovascular events are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Myocardial ischemia (MI) severely reduces myocyte longevity and function. The YangXinDingJi (YXDJ) capsule has been used in the treatment of clinical cardiac disease in China. Nevertheless, the underlying cellular mechanisms for the benefits to heart function resulting from the use of this capsule are still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of the YXDJ on isoprenaline-induced MI in rats and to clarify its underlying myocardial protective mechanisms based on L-type calcium channels and myocardial contractility. Materials and Methods. Rats were randomly divided into five groups with ten rats in each group: (1) control; (2) ISO-induced model; (3) high-dose YXDJ (2.8 g/kg/day intraperitoneally for five days), (4) low-dose YXDJ (1.4 g/kg/day for five days); and (5) verapamil (n = 10 in each group). Isoproterenol (ISO) was injected subcutaneously for two consecutive days to induce the rat model of MI. Heart and biochemical parameters were obtained. The patch-clamp technique was used to observe the regulatory effects of YXDJ on the L-type calcium current (ICa-L) in isolated cardiomyocytes. An IonOptix MyoCam detection system was used to observe the contractility of YXDJ on isolated cardiomyocytes. Results. YXDJ caused a significant improvement in pathological heart morphology and alleviated oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Exposure to YXDJ caused a decrease in blockade of ICa-L in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusions. The results indicate that YXDJ significantly inhibited inflammatory cytokine expressions, oxidative stress, and L-type Ca2+ channels, and decreased contractility in isolated rat cardiomyocytes. These findings may be relevant to the cardioprotective efficacy of YXDJ.

Liquiritin Protects Against Cardiac Fibrosis After Myocardial Infarction by Inhibiting CCL5 Expression and the NF-κB Signaling Pathway

“…20 Recent studies have reported that LQ exerts cardioprotective effects by attenuating oxidative stress injury, reducing the expression of inflammatory factors, inhibiting cell apoptosis, restoring cardiac functional parameters and maintaining structural integrity. [21][22][23] In addition, many traditional Chinese medicine formula containing LQ have been used to treat cardiovascular diseases, especially ischemic heart disease, such as Zhigancao Decoction, 24 Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction, 25 Yangxin Dingji Capsule, 26 etc. However, the effect of LQ on MI-induced damage remains poorly understood.…”

Allicin protects against myocardial I/R by accelerating angiogenesis via the miR-19a-3p/PI3K/AKT axis

“…Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is one of the leading causes of death and disability globally [ 1 , 2 ]. Although there are many novel therapeutic interventions available for myocardial ischemia treatment, the mortality and morbidity rate are increasing [ 3 ].…”

Liquiritin from Radix Glycyrrhizae Protects Cardiac Mitochondria from Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Damage

“…Furthermore, extracts from Glycyrrhiza uralensis suppressed doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in H9C2 rat cardiac myoblasts [ 30 ] and protected the heart against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity [ 31 ]. In fact, many traditional medicine formulas containing LIQ have been used to treat cardiovascular diseases, particularly ischemic heart diseases, such as Si-Miao-Yong-An decoction [ 32 ], Xuefu Zhuyu decoction [ 33 ], YangXinDingJi capsule [ 18 ], and ethanol extract of Jaeumganghwa-tang [ 34 ]. The studies showed that YangXinDingJi significantly relieved HR damage via increasing the survival of H9C2 cardiomyocytes [ 33 ], inhibiting inflammatory cytokine expressions, reducing oxidative stress, and improving contractility in isolated rat cardiomyocytes [ 18 ].…”

“…In fact, many traditional medicine formulas containing LIQ have been used to treat cardiovascular diseases, particularly ischemic heart diseases, such as Si-Miao-Yong-An decoction [ 32 ], Xuefu Zhuyu decoction [ 33 ], YangXinDingJi capsule [ 18 ], and ethanol extract of Jaeumganghwa-tang [ 34 ]. The studies showed that YangXinDingJi significantly relieved HR damage via increasing the survival of H9C2 cardiomyocytes [ 33 ], inhibiting inflammatory cytokine expressions, reducing oxidative stress, and improving contractility in isolated rat cardiomyocytes [ 18 ]. Ethanol extract of Jaeumganghwa-tang is relatively more efficacious at protecting against oxidative stress-induced muscle cell death [ 34 ].…”

“…In recent decades, there has been great progress in screening and identifying natural compounds to develop new drugs, which can be used to preserve mitochondrial integrity, limit oxidative stress, and subsequently improve cardiac function in HR [14,17,18]. Of those, liquiritin (LIQ) is the main constituent of Radix Glycyrrhizae and has been proved to possess various pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiapoptosis, antibacteria [19], and anticancer properties [20][21][22][23][24].…”