The role of ginsenoside Rb1, a potential natural glutathione reductase agonist, in preventing oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of H9C2 cells

Ginsenoside Rb1 reduced ischemic stroke-induced apoptosis through endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated IRE1/TRAF2/JNK pathway

The neuroprotective function of ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) was lately emphasized. However, whether GRb1 plays a regulatory role on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-associated pathway in cerebral I/R damage is still unclear. The aim of this study is to explore the function of GRb1 in cerebral ischemia-induced ER stress and the underlying mechanism related to IRE1/TRAF2/JNK pathway. Longa method, cerebral infarct volume, and HE staining were used to evaluate the efficacy of GRb1 in mice with a mouse model of middle cerebral artery occlusion reperfusion (MCAO/R). We also investigated the effect and mechanism of GRb1 against ischemic stroke using in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation reperfusion (OGD/R) model. We found that GRb1 could improve neurological scores, infarct volume, and histological injury in ischemic mice. Ischemic attack also activated neuronal apoptosis and ER stress, and this effect was attenuated by GRb1. In addition, GRb1 significantly reduced I/R-induced IRE1-TRAF2 interaction, IRE1, and JNK phosphorylation. The present study also confirmed that GRb1 significantly improved OGD/R-induced PC12 cells injury. GRb1 could decrease ER stress in OGD/R-injured PC12 cells, which was reflected by the decreased expression of GRP78 and CHOP. The ER stress inducer tunicamycin partially prevented the effects of GRb1 on cell viability, ER stress, and apoptosis after OGD/R, whereas the ER stress inhibitor 4-PBA exerted the opposite effect. Moreover, GRb1 markedly decreased IRE1-TRAF2 interaction, IRE1, and JNK phosphorylation in the presence of OGD/R insult. Furthermore, JNK inhibitor SP600125 and IRE1 inhibitor DBSA pretreatment further promoted the inhibition of GRb1 on ER stress induction and cell damage induced by OGD/R. Molecular docking further elucidated that the mechanism by which GRb1 improves cerebral ischemia maybe related to its direct binding to the kinase domain of IRE1, which in turn inhibited the phosphorylation of IRE1. Collectively, these results demonstrated that GRb1 reduced ischemic stroke-induced apoptosis through the ER stress-associated IRE1/TRAF2/JNK pathway and GRb1 has the potential as a protective drug for the treatment of cerebral ischemia.

Overview of Panax ginseng and its active ingredients protective mechanism on cardiovascular diseases

ETHNIC PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Panax ginseng is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used to treat cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and it is still widely used to improve the clinical symptoms of various CVDs. However, there is currently a lack of summary and analysis on the mechanism of Panax ginseng exerts its cardiovascular protective effects. This article provides a review of in vivo and in vitro pharmacological studies on Panax ginseng and its active ingredients in reducing CVDs damage.

AIM OF THIS REVIEW

This review summarized the latest literature on Panax ginseng and its active ingredients in CVDs research, aiming to have a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the cardiovascular protection mechanism of Panax ginseng, and to provide new ideas for the treatment of CVDs, as well as to optimize the clinical application of Panax ginseng.

METHODS

Enrichment of pathways and biological terms using the traditional Chinese medicine molecular mechanism bioinformatics analysis tool (BATMAN-TCM). The literature search is based on electronic databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, CNKI, with a search period of 2002-2023. The search terms include Panax ginseng, Panax ginseng ingredients, ginsenosides, ginseng polysaccharides, ginseng glycoproteins, ginseng volatile oil, CVDs, heart, and cardiac.

RESULTS

132 articles were ultimately included in the review. The ingredients in Panax ginseng that manifested cardiovascular protective effects are mainly ginsenosides (especially ginsenoside Rb1). Ginsenosides protected against CVDs such as ischemic reperfusion injury, atherosclerosis and heart failure mainly through improving energy metabolism, inhibiting hyper-autophagy, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and promoting secretion of exosomes.

CONCLUSION

Panax ginseng and its active ingredients have a particularly prominent effect on improving myocardial energy metabolism remodeling in protecting against CVDs. The AMPK and PPAR signaling pathways are the key targets through which Panax ginseng produces multiple mechanisms of cardiovascular protection. Extracellular vesicles and nanoparticles as carriers are potential delivery ways for optimizing the bioavailability of Panax ginseng and its active ingredients.

Regulation of transcriptome networks that mediate ginsenoside biosynthesis by essential ecological factors

Ginseng, a valuable Chinese medicinal herb, is renowned worldwide for its effectiveness in alleviating certain conditions and promoting overall health. In this study, we performed weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) on the accumulation of essential saponins under the influence of 13 essential environmental factors (including air temperature, air bottom temperature, surface mean temperature, soil temperature, surface shortwave radiation, soil moisture, soil water content, rainfall, total precipitation, elevation, soil type, soil pH, and soil water potential). We identified a total of 40 transcript modules associated with typical environmental factors and the accumulation of essential saponins. Among these, 18 modules were closely related to the influence of typical environmental factors, whereas 22 modules were closely related to the accumulation of essential saponins. These results were verified by examining the transcriptome, saponin contents, environmental factor information and the published data and revealed the regulatory basis of saponin accumulation at the transcriptome level under the influence of essential environmental factors. We proposed a working model of saponin accumulation mediated by the transcriptional regulatory network that is affected by typical environmental factors. An isomorphic white-box neural network was constructed based on this model and the predicted results of the white-box neural network correlated with saponin accumulation. The effectiveness of our correlation-directed graph in predicting saponin contents was verified by bioinformatics analysis based on results obtained in this study and transcripts known to affect the biosynthesis of saponin Rb1. The directed graph represents a useful tool for manipulating saponin biosynthesis while considering the influence of essential environmental factors in ginseng and other medicinal plants.

Targeting oxidative stress as a preventive and therapeutic approach for cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) continue to exert a significant impact on global mortality rates, encompassing conditions like pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), atherosclerosis (AS), and myocardial infarction (MI). Oxidative stress (OS) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis and advancement of CVDs, highlighting its significance as a contributing factor. Maintaining an equilibrium between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant systems not only aids in mitigating oxidative stress but also confers protective benefits on cardiac health. Herbal monomers can inhibit OS in CVDs by activating multiple signaling pathways, such as increasing the activity of endogenous antioxidant systems and decreasing the level of ROS expression. Given the actions of herbal monomers to significantly protect the normal function of the heart and reduce the damage caused by OS to the organism. Hence, it is imperative to recognize the significance of herbal monomers as prospective therapeutic interventions for mitigating oxidative damage in CVDs. This paper aims to comprehensively review the origins and mechanisms underlying OS, elucidate the intricate association between CVDs and OS, and explore the therapeutic potential of antioxidant treatment utilizing herbal monomers. Furthermore, particular emphasis will be placed on examining the cardioprotective effects of herbal monomers by evaluating their impact on cardiac signaling pathways subsequent to treatment.

Mitochondrial dysfunction in heart diseases: Potential therapeutic effects of Panax ginseng

Heart diseases have a high incidence and mortality rate, and seriously affect people's quality of life. Mitochondria provide energy for the heart to function properly. The process of various heart diseases is closely related to mitochondrial dysfunction. Panax ginseng (P. ginseng), as a traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used to treat various cardiovascular diseases. Many studies have confirmed that P. ginseng and ginsenosides can regulate and improve mitochondrial dysfunction. Therefore, the role of mitochondria in various heart diseases and the protective effect of P. ginseng on heart diseases by regulating mitochondrial function were reviewed in this paper, aiming to gain new understanding of the mechanisms, and promote the clinical application of P. ginseng.

Ginsenoside Rb1 Improves Post-Cardiac Arrest Myocardial Stunning and Cerebral Outcomes by Regulating the Keap1/Nrf2 Pathway

The prognosis of cardiac arrest (CA) is dismal despite the ongoing progress in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). ginsenoside Rb1 (Gn-Rb1) has been verified to be cardioprotective in cardiac remodeling and cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, but its role is less known in CA. After 15 min of potassium chloride-induced CA, male C57BL/6 mice were resuscitated. Gn-Rb1 was blindly randomized to mice after 20 s of CPR. We assessed the cardiac systolic function before CA and 3 h after CPR. Mortality rates, neurological outcome, mitochondrial homeostasis, and the levels of oxidative stress were evaluated. We found that Gn-Rb1 improved the long-term survival during the post-resuscitation period but did not affect the ROSC rate. Further mechanistic investigations revealed that Gn-Rb1 ameliorated CA/CPR-induced mitochondrial destabilization and oxidative stress, partially via the activation of Keap1/Nrf2 axis. Gn-Rb1 improved the neurological outcome after resuscitation partially by balancing the oxidative stress and suppressing apoptosis. In sum, Gn-Rb1 protects against post-CA myocardial stunning and cerebral outcomes via the induction of the Nrf2 signaling pathway, which may offer a new insight into therapeutic strategies for CA.

Panax ginseng against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury: A review of preclinical evidence and potential mechanisms

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (P. ginseng) is effective in the prevention and treatment of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. The mechanism by which P. ginseng exerts cardioprotective effects is complex. P. ginseng contains many pharmacologically active ingredients, such as molecular glycosides, polyphenols, and polysaccharides. P. ginseng and each of its active components can potentially act against myocardial I/R injury. Myocardial I/R was originally a treatment for myocardial ischemia, but it also induced irreversible damage, including oxygen-containing free radicals, calcium overload, energy metabolism disorder, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, microvascular injury, autophagy, and apoptosis.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to clarify the protective effects of P. ginseng and its active ingredients against myocardial I/R injury, so as to provide experimental evidence and new insights for the research and application of P. ginseng in the field of myocardial I/R injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This review was based on a search of PubMed, NCBI, Embase, and Web of Science databases from their inception to February 21, 2022, using terms such as "ginseng," "ginsenosides," and "myocardial reperfusion injury." In this review, we first summarized the active ingredients of P. ginseng, including ginsenosides, ginseng polysaccharides, and phytosterols, as well as the pathophysiological mechanisms of myocardial I/R injury. Importantly, preclinical models with myocardial I/R injury and potential mechanisms of these active ingredients of P. ginseng for the prevention and treatment of myocardial disorders were generally summarized.

RESULTS

P. ginseng and its active components can regulate oxidative stress related proteins, inflammatory cytokines, and apoptosis factors, while protecting the myocardium and preventing myocardial I/R injury. Therefore, P. ginseng can play a role in the prevention and treatment of myocardial I/R injury.

CONCLUSIONS

P. ginseng has a certain curative effect on myocardial I/R injury. It can prevent and treat myocardial I/R injury in several ways. When ginseng exerts its effects, should be based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine and with the help of modern medicine; the clinical efficacy of P. ginseng in preventing and treating myocardial I/R injury can be improved.

Ferroptosis: Mechanism and potential applications in cervical cancer

Ferroptosis is a distinct form of cell death mechanism different from the traditional ones. Ferroptosis is characterized biochemically by lipid peroxidation, iron accumulation, and glutathione deficiency. It has already demonstrated significant promise in antitumor therapy. Cervical cancer (CC) progression is closely linked to iron regulation and oxidative stress. Existing research has investigated the role of ferroptosis in CC. Ferroptosis could open up a new avenue of research for treating CC. This review will describe the factors and pathways and the research basis of ferroptosis, which is closely related to CC. Furthermore, the review may provide potential future directions for CC research, and we believe that more studies concerning the therapeutic implications of ferroptosis in CC will come to notice.

Ginsenoside Rb1 from Panax notoginseng Suppressed TNF-α-Induced Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 via the Suppression of Double-Strand RNA-Dependent Protein Kinase (PKR)/NF-κB Pathway

Chronic inflammation is commonly accompanied by the stimulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) production and the degradation of the extracellular matrix. The overexpression of MMP-9 (Gelatinase B) highly participates in the progression of pathetic cardiac remodeling and liver cancer metastasis. Panax notoginseng (Burkill) F. H. Chen (Sanqi), a widely used traditional Chinese medicinal herb, shows myocardial protective and anti-tumor effects. In this study, we examined the inhibitory effect of different PNG extracts on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced MMP-9 expression in cardiac myoblast H9c2 cells. Using a bioassay-guided fractionation scheme, the most active extract was fractionated by silica gel column chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography until an active compound was obtained. The compound was identified as Ginsenoside Rb1 by nuclear magnetic resonance. Ginsenoside Rb1 inhibited TNF-α-induced MMP-9 production in both H9c2 and liver carcinoma HepG-2 cells. Interestingly, it did not affect the MMP-2 (Gelatinase A) level and the cell proliferation of the two cell lines. The inhibitory effects of Ginsenoside Rb1 may be due to its modulation of double-strand RNA-dependent protein kinase and nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathways. The results reveal the potential use of Ginsenoside Rb1 for the treatment of inflammatory and MMP-9-related cardiac remodeling and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinomas.

Acetyl-11-Keto-β-Boswellic Acid (AKBA) Prevents Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation and Cytotoxicity on H9C2 Cells

Acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA), the major component of Boswellia serrata, exhibits anti-inflammatory activities. This in vitro study investigated the protective effects of AKBA against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cardiac dysfunction. In this study, the H9C2 cardiomyocytes were pretreated with AKBA (2.5, 5, and 10 μM for 24 h), and then cotreated with LPS for another 24 h. The MTT assay, ELISA test kits, and quantitative real-time PCR analysis assessed the cell viability, levels of proinflammatory factors (IL-β, IL-6, TNF- α, and PGE2), and the gene expression of IL-β, IL-6, TNF- α, iNOS, and COX-2, respectively. The nitric oxide (NO) and thiol levels were also measured using a biochemical assay. The results indicated that LPS exposure markedly reduced cell viability and total thiol content, but increased the inflammatory cytokines, NO metabolites, and gene expression of proinflammatory mediators in H9C2 cells. AKBA pretreatment significantly altered the mentioned factors induced by LPS. Our results demonstrated that AKBA might be a promising therapeutic agent for treating sepsis-related cardiac dysfunction in the future.

A Novel Biological Activity of the STAT3 Inhibitor Stattic in Inhibiting Glutathione Reductase and Suppressing the Tumorigenicity of Human Cervical Cancer Cells via a ROS-Dependent Pathway

Introduction

Glutathione reductase (GSR) provides reduced glutathione (GSH) to maintain redox homeostasis. Inhibition of GSR disrupts this balance, resulting in cell damage, which benefits cancer therapy. However, the effect of GSR inhibition on the tumorigenicity of human cervical cancer is not fully understood.

Materials and Methods

Tissue microarray analysis was employed to determine GSR expression in cervical cancer tissues by immunohistochemical staining. Cell death was measured with PI/FITC-annexin V staining. mRNA levels were measured via quantitative RT-PCR. Protein expression was measured by Western blotting and flow cytometry. STAT3 deletion was performed with CRISPR/Cas9 technology. GSR knockdown was achieved by RNA interference. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured by DCF staining. GSR enzymatic activity was measured with a GSR assay kit. The effect of GSR inhibition on the growth of tumors formed by cervical cancer cells was investigated using a xenograft model.

Results

The expression of GSR was increased in human cervical cancer tissues, as shown by immunohistochemical staining. GSR knockdown by RNA interference in human cervical cancer cell lines resulted in cell death, suggesting the ability of GSR to maintain cancer cell survival. The STAT3 inhibitor 6-nitrobenzo[b]thiophene 1,1-dioxide (Stattic) also inhibited the enzymatic activity of GSR and induced the death of cervical cancer cells. More importantly, Stattic decreased the growth of xenograft tumors formed by cervical cancer cells in nude mice. Mechanistically, tumor cell death induced by Stattic-mediated GSR inhibition was ROS-dependent, since the ROS scavengers GSH and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) reversed the effect of Stattic. In contrast, pharmacological and molecular inhibition of STAT3 did not induce the death of cervical cancer cells, suggesting a STAT3-independent activity of Stattic.

Conclusion

Stattic inhibits the enzymatic activity of GSR and induces STAT3-independent but ROS-dependent death of cervical cancer cells, suggesting its potential application as a therapeutic agent for human cervical cancers.

Cardioprotective effect of ginsenoside Rb1 via regulating metabolomics profiling and AMP-activated protein kinase-dependent mitophagy

Background

Ginsenoside Rb1, a bioactive component isolated from the Panax ginseng, acts as a remedy to prevent myocardial injury. However, it is obscure whether the cardioprotective functions of Rb1 are related to the regulation of endogenous metabolites, and its potential molecular mechanism still needs further clarification, especially from a comprehensive metabolomics profiling perspective.

Methods

The mice model of acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) and oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced cardiomyocytes injury were applied to explore the protective effect and mechanism of Rb1. Meanwhile, the comprehensive metabolomics profiling was conducted by high-performance liquid chromatography and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q/TOF-MS) and a tandem liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS).

Results

Rb1 treatment profoundly reduced the infarct size and attenuated myocardial injury. The metabolic network map of 65 differential endogenous metabolites was constructed and provided a new inspiration for the treatment of AMI by Rb1, which was mainly associated with mitophagy. In vivo and in vitro experiments, Rb1 was found to improve mitochondrial morphology, mitochondrial function and promote mitophagy. Interestingly, the mitophagy inhibitor partly attenuated the cardioprotective effect of Rb1. Additionally, Rb1 markedly facilitated the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα), and AMPK inhibition partially weakened the role of Rb1 in promoting mitophagy.

Conclusions

Ginsenoside Rb1 protects acute myocardial ischemia injury through promoting mitophagy via AMPKα phosphorylation, which might lay the foundation for the further application of Rb1 in cardiovascular diseases.

Ginsenoside Rb1 Enhances Plaque Stability and Inhibits Adventitial Vasa Vasorum via the Modulation of miR-33 and PEDF

Background: Atherosclerosis is closely associated with proliferation of the adventitial vasa vasorum, leading to the atherosclerotic plaque progression and vulnerability. In this report, we investigated the role of Ginsenoside Rb₁ (Rb₁) on atherosclerotic plaque stabilization and adventitial vasa vasorum (VV) along with the mechanisms involved. Methods and Results: Apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE^-/-) mice were fed with a high-fat diet for 20 weeks, and then Ginsenoside Rb₁ (50 mg/kg/d, intraperitoneal) was given for 4 weeks. Rb₁ treatment significantly inhibited adventitial VV proliferation, alleviated inflammation, decreased plaque burden, and stabilized atherosclerotic plaques in apoE^-/- mice. However, the beneficial effects of Rb₁ on atherosclerotic lesion was attenuated by overexpression of miR-33. The analysis from atherosclerotic plaque revealed that Rb₁ treatment could result in an induction of Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) expression and reduction of the miR-33 generation. Overexpression of miR-33 significantly reverted the Rb₁-mediated elevation of PEDF and anti-angiogenic effect. Conclusions: Ginsenoside Rb₁ attenuates plaque growth and enhances plaque stability partially through inhibiting adventitial vasa vasorum proliferation and inflammation in apoE^-/- mice. The anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammation effects of Rb₁ are exerted via the modulation of miR-33 and its target gene PEDF.

Tanshinone I Inhibits Oxidative Stress-Induced Cardiomyocyte Injury by Modulating Nrf2 Signaling

Cardiovascular disease, a disease caused by many pathogenic factors, is one of the most common causes of death worldwide, and oxidative stress plays a major role in its pathophysiology. Tanshinone I (Tan I), a natural compound with cardiovascular protective effects, is one of the main active compounds extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza. Here, we investigated whether Tan I could attenuate oxidative stress and oxidative stress–induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis through Nrf2/MAPK signaling in vivo and in vitro. We found that Tan I treatment protected cardiomyocytes against oxidative stress and oxidative stress–induced apoptosis, based on the detection of relevant oxidation indexes such as reactive oxygen species, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and apoptosis, including cell viability and apoptosis-related protein expression. We further examined the mechanisms underlying these effects, determining that Tan I activated nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NFE2)–related factor 2 (Nrf2) transcription into the nucleus and dose-dependently promoted the expression of Nrf2, while inhibiting MAPK signaling activation, including P38 MAPK, SAPK/JNK, and ERK1/2. Nrf2 inhibitors in H9C2 cells and Nrf2 knockout mice demonstrated aggravated oxidative stress and oxidative stress–induced cardiomyocyte injury; Tan I treatment suppressed these effects in H9C2 cells; however, its protective effect was inhibited in Nrf2 knockout mice. Additionally, the analysis of surface plasmon resonance demonstrated that Tan I could directly target Nrf2 and act as a potential Nrf2 agonist. Collectively, these data strongly indicated that Tan I might inhibit oxidative stress and oxidative stress–induced cardiomyocyte injury through modulation of Nrf2 signaling, thus supporting the potential therapeutic application of Tan I for oxidative stress–induced CVDs.

Effects of Traditional Chinese Medication-Based Bioactive Compounds on Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Oxidative Stress

The oxidative stress reaction is the imbalance between oxidation and antioxidation in the body, resulting in excessive production of oxygen free radicals in the body that cannot be removed, leading to excessive oxidation of the body, and causing damage to cells and tissues. A large number of studies have shown that oxidative stress is involved in the pathological process of many diseases, so inhibiting oxidative stress, that is, antioxidation, is of great significance for the treatment of diseases. Studies have shown that many traditional Chinese medications contain antioxidant active bioactive compounds, but the mechanisms of those compounds are different and complicated. Therefore, by summarizing the literature on antioxidant activity of traditional Chinese medication-based bioactive compounds in recent years, our review systematically elaborates the main antioxidant bioactive compounds contained in traditional Chinese medication and their mechanisms, so as to provide references for the subsequent research.

Downregulated MicroRNA-327 Attenuates Oxidative Stress-Mediated Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury Through Regulating the FGF10/Akt/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway

Although miR-327 had a protective effect on cardiomyocytes as described previously, the potential mechanism still needs further exploration. The aim of this study was to investigate the role and mechanism of miR-327 on oxidative stress in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MI/RI) process. Oxidative stress and cardiomyocytes injury were detected in rat model of MI/RI, hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R), and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) model of H9c2 cells. In vitro, downregulation of miR-327 inhibited both H/R- and TBHP-induced oxidative stress, and suppressed apoptosis. Meanwhile, fibroblast growth factor 10(FGF10) was enhanced by miR-327 knocked down, followed by the activation of p-PI3K and p-Akt, and the translocation of Nrf2. However, miR-327 overexpression performed with opposite effects. Consistent with the results in vitro, downregulation of miR-327 attenuated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation as well as intrinsic apoptosis, and alleviated I/R injury. In conclusion, inhibition of miR-327 improved antioxidative ability and myocardial cell survival via regulating the FGF10/Akt/Nrf2 pathway.

Nuanxin capsule enhances cardiac function by inhibiting oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dependent apoptosis through AMPK/JNK signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

Oxidative stress and apoptosis play critical roles in the pathogenesis of heart failure (HF).Nuanxin capsule (NX) is a Chinese medicine that has outstanding protective effects on HF. The present study aimed to elucidate whether NX could protect HF against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis through intrinsic mitochondrial pathway.

METHODS

In vivo, HF was induced by transverse aortic constriction. NX and Compound C (Comp C) were administered to C57BL/6 J mice for over a 4-week period. Cardiac function was assessed with echocardiography. In vitro, H9c2 cells were exposed to H2O2 in the presence or absence of NX and Compound C. Cell viability, cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and mitochondrial function by oxygen consumption rate (OCR) were detected. The expressions of cytochrome c, BAX, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, AMPK and JNK were evaluated by western blotting.

RESULTS

The results indicated that NX significantly improved cardiac function and enhanced the cell viability, ΔΨm and mitochondrial respiration. Also NX treatment reduced cell cytotoxicity and ROS production. Moreover, NX inhibited mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis by upregulating AMPK and downregulating JNK both in vivo and in vitro. The protective effects of NX on cardiac function by reducing oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dependent apoptosis were reversed by Compound C treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrated that NX effectively improved cardiac function in TAC mice by reducing oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dependent apoptosis by activating AMPK/JNK signaling pathway.

The effect of brimonidine and proparacaine on metabolic enzymes: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, and glutathione reductase

Oxidative stress is to upregulate the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). The PPP consists of two functional branches, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and 6-phosphogluconaste dehydrogenase (6PGD). Glutathione reductase (GR) has a significant role in catalyzing an oxidized glutathione form into a reduced form. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of brimonidine and proparacaine on the activity of 6PGD, G6PD, and GR enzymes purified from human erythrocytes. Brimonidine displayed considerable inhibition profile against G6PD with IC₅₀ value and K_I constant of 29.93 ± 3.56 and 48.46 ± 0.66 μM, respectively. On the other hand, proparacaine had no inhibitory effect against G6PD. K_I values were found to be 66.06 ± 0.78 and 811.50 ± 11.13 μM for brimonidine and proparacaine, respectively, for 6PGD. K_I values were found to be 144.10 ± 2.01 and 1,654.00 ± 26.29 μM for brimonidine and proparacaine, respectively, for GR. Herein, also in silico molecular docking studies were performed between drugs and enzymes.