Protective Effects of Allicin on ISO-Induced Rat Model of Myocardial Infarction via JNK Signaling Pathway

Therapeutic potentials of allicin in cardiovascular disease: advances and future directions

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the predominant cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Against this backdrop, finding effective drugs for the pharmacological treatment of CVD has become one of the most urgent and challenging issues in medical research. Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is one of the oldest plants and is world-renowned for its dietary and medicinal values. Allicin (diallyl thiosulfinate) is one of the primary natural active ingredients in garlic, which has been proven to have powerful cardioprotective effects and mediate various pathological processes related to CVD, such as inflammatory factor secretion, myocardial cell apoptosis, oxidative stress, and more. Therefore, allicin holds a promising application prospect in the treatment of CVD. This review summarized the biological functions of allicin and its potential mechanisms in CVD, including antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and anti-apoptosis effects. Reckoning with these, we delved into recent studies on allicin's cardioprotective effects concerning various CVDs, such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, and cardiotoxicity. Further, considering the tremendous advancement in nanomedicine, nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems show promise in addressing limitations of allicin's clinical applications, including improving its solubility, stability, and bioavailability. Through this review, we hope to provide a reference for further research on allicin in cardioprotection and drug development.

Comparative efficacy of sweated and non-sweated Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. extracts on acute myocardial ischemia via regulating the PPARα/RXRα/NF-κB signaling pathway

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. (S. miltiorrhiza) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The processing of S. miltiorrhiza requires the raw herbs to sweat first and then dry. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) of S. miltiorrhiza extracts (including tanshinones and phenolic acids) before and after sweating, and to further explore whether the "sweating" primary processing affected the efficacy of S. miltiorrhiza. The AMI animal model was established by subcutaneous injection of isoprenaline hydrochloride (ISO). After treatment, the cardiac function of rats was evaluated by electrocardiogram (ECG), biochemical, and histochemical analysis. Moreover, the regulation of S. miltiorrhiza extracts on the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα)/retinoid X receptor α (RXRα)/nuclear transcription factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway of rats was assessed by the Western blotting. The results showed that sweated and non-sweated S. miltiorrhiza extracts including tanshinones and phenolic acids significantly reduced ST-segment elevation in ECG and the myocardial infarction area in varying degrees. Meanwhile, sweated and non-sweated S. miltiorrhiza reversed the activities of aspartate transaminase (AST), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in AMI rats. Concurrently, the results of Western blotting revealed that S. miltiorrhiza extracts regulated the PPARα/RXRα/NF-κB signaling pathway to exert an anti-inflammatory effect. Most importantly, sweated S. miltiorrhiza tanshinones extracts are more effective than the non-sweated S. miltiorrhiza, and the anti-inflammatory efficacy of tanshinones extract was also better than that of phenolic acid extract. Although phenolic acid extracts before and after sweating were effective in anti-AMI, there was no significant difference between them. In conclusion, both tanshinones and phenolic acids extracts of sweated and non-sweated S. miltiorrhiza promote anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory against AMI via regulating the PPARα/RXRα/NF-κB signaling pathway. Further, the comparations between sweated and non-sweated S. miltiorrhiza extracts indicate that sweated S. miltiorrhiza tanshinones extracts have better therapeutic effects on AMI.

Bioavailability, Health Benefits, and Delivery Systems of Allicin: A Review

Garlic has been used worldwide as a spice due to its pungent taste and flavor-enhancing properties. As a main biologically active component of the freshly crushed garlic extracts, allicin (diallyl thiosulfinate) is converted from alliin by alliinase upon damaging the garlic clove, which has been reported to have many potent beneficial biological functions. In this work, allicin formation, stability, bioavailability, and metabolism process are examined and summarized. The biological functions of allicin and potential underlying mechanisms are reviewed and discussed, including antioxidation, anti-inflammation, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, antineurodegenerative, antitumor, and antiobesity effects. Novel delivery systems of allicin with enhanced stability, encapsulation efficiency, and bioavailability are also evaluated, such as nanoparticles, gels, liposomes, and micelles. This study could provide a comprehensive understanding of the physiochemical properties and health benefits of allicin, with great potential for further applications in the food and nutraceutical industries.

Persulfidation of mitoKv7.4 channels contributes to the cardioprotective effects of the H2S-donor Erucin against ischemia/reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gasotransmitter deeply involved in cardiovascular homeostasis and implicated in the myocardial protection against ischemia/reperfusion. The post-translational persulfidation of cysteine residues has been identified as the mechanism through which H2S regulates a plethora of biological targets. Erucin (ERU) is an isothiocyanate produced upon hydrolysis of the glucosinolate glucoerucin, presents in edible plants of Brassicaceae family, such as Eruca sativa Mill., and it has emerged as a slow and long-lasting H2S-donor.

AIM

In this study the cardioprotective profile of ERU has been investigated and the action mechanism explored, focusing on the possible role of the recently identified mitochondrial Kv7.4 (mitoKv7.4) potassium channels.

RESULTS

Interestingly, ERU showed to release H2S and concentration-dependently protected H9c2 cells against H2O2-induced oxidative damage. Moreover, in in vivo model of myocardial infarct ERU showed protective effects, reducing the extension of ischemic area, the levels of troponin I and increasing the amount of total AnxA1, as well as co-related inflammatory outcomes. Conversely, the pre-treatment with XE991, a blocker of Kv7.4 channels, abolished them. In isolated cardiac mitochondria ERU exhibited the typical profile of a mitochondrial potassium channels opener, in particular, this isothiocyanate produced a mild depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, a reduction of calcium accumulation into the matrix and finally a flow of potassium ions. Finally, mitoKv7.4 channels were persulfidated in ERU-treated mitochondria.

CONCLUSIONS

ERU modulates the cardiac mitoKv7.4 channels and this mechanism may be relevant for cardioprotective effects.

Antioxidant and anti-apoptotic potency of allicin and lycopene against methotrexate-induced cardiac injury in rats

This study aimed to explore whether allicin (ALC) and lycopene (LP) could offer protection against the harmful effects of methotrexate (MTX), a type of chemotherapy drug known for its severe side effects, on the heart of rats. In this experiment, seven groups of rats (n = 7) were used. The first group was given saline as a control vehicle, the second group was given ALC at a dosage of 20 mg/kg orally, the third group was given LP at a dosage of 10 mg/kg orally, and the fourth group was given MTX at a dosage of 20 mg/kg intraperitoneally on the 15th day of the experiment. The remaining three groups received treatments, including ALC + MTX, LP + MTX, and ALC + LP + MTX. After the administration of MTX, the concentrations of serum cardiac biomarkers, such as Creatine kinase (CK), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase-myoglobin binding (CK-MB) were found to increase. Also, MTX caused a notable rise in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and significant declines in the levels of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in the heart tissues of rats. In addition, MTX caused alterations in the cardiac histopathology and enhanced the caspase-3 expression in the cardiac tissues, indicating the occurrence of apoptosis. The antioxidant properties of ALC and/or LP were effectively reduced cardiac toxicity and apoptosis induced by MTX. The administration of ALC and/or LP was found to alleviate these effects caused by MTX.

Establishment and effect evaluation of a stress cardiomyopathy mouse model induced by different doses of isoprenaline

The optimum dose of isoprenaline (ISO) required to induce stress cardiomyopathy (SC) in mice is not known. The present study aimed to investigate the dose-response association and determine the optimum dose of ISO to establish a high-morbidity/low-mortality SC mouse model to simulate the clinical symptoms of SC. A total of 72 6-week-old wild-type female mice (C57BL/6) were randomly divided into control mice administered normal saline and mice treated with increasing ISO concentrations (5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg ISO intraperitoneal injections daily for 14 consecutive days). All mice were analysed by body weight assessment, open field test (OFT), echocardiography (Echo), electrocardiogram (ECG), assessment of myocardial pathology and quantification of cortisol, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), cardiac troponin T (cTnT), catecholamine (CA) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Compared with the control group, the 25 and 50 mg/kg ISO groups exhibited the most prominent weight changes and lower mortality. The open-field test showed a significant decrease in autonomous activity behaviour in the 25 and 50 mg/kg ISO groups compared with the control group (P<0.05). Echo revealed that the apex of the heart was balloon-like in the 25 and 50 mg/kg ISO groups, along with prominent left ventricular dyskinesia. ECG showed a significant increase in ST segment amplitude, QT interval and Q amplitude (P<0.05) in the 25 and 50 mg/kg ISO group compared with the control group. Haematoxylin and eosin staining of heart tissue showed a disordered arrangement of myocardial cells, dissolution of myocardial fibres and cytoplasm, notable widening of myocardial cell space, oedema and hyperaemia of the interstitium, whereas heart tissue of the control group was structurally intact. Compared with the control group, the 25 and 50 mg/kg ISO groups exhibited significantly higher levels of cortisol, BNP, cTNT, CA and CRP (P<0.05). A high-incidence low-mortality SC model was successfully and stably developed by administration of 25 and 50 mg/kg ISO. Such models may provide a basis for the development of other animal models of SC.

Cellular Mechanisms Underlying the Cardioprotective Role of Allicin on Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of diseases in which the common denominator is the affection of blood vessels, heart tissue, and heart rhythm. The genesis of CVD is complex and multifactorial; therefore, approaches are often based on multidisciplinary management and more than one drug is used to achieve the optimal control of risk factors (dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypertrophy, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation). In this context, allicin, a sulfur compound naturally derived from garlic, has shown beneficial effects on several cardiovascular risk factors through the modulation of cellular mechanisms and signaling pathways. Effective pharmacological treatments for CVD or its risk factors have not been developed or are unknown in clinical practice. Thus, this work aimed to review the cellular mechanisms through which allicin exerts its therapeutic effects and to show why it could be a therapeutic option for the prevention or treatment of CVD and its risk factors.

Could allicin alleviate trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity in a rat model through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihyperlipidemic properties?

AIMS

Although trastuzumab (TZB)-induced cardiotoxicity is well documented and allicin (one of the main active garlic ingredients) has ameliorating effects against numerous causes of toxicities; however, the influence of allicin on TZB-induced cardiotoxicity has not been investigated yet. Therefore, the current work explored the potential cardioprotective structural, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms of allicin against TZB-induced cardiotoxicity in a rat's model.

METHODS

Forty rats were divided into four equal groups and treated for five weeks. The control group (G1) received PBS, the allicin group (G2) received allicin (9 mg/kg/day), the TZB group (G3) received TZB (6 mg/kg/week), and the allicin+TZB group (G4) received 9 mg of allicin/kg/day +6 mg of TZB/kg/week. Heart specimens and blood samples were processed for histopathological, immunohistochemical, biochemical, and molecular investigations to determine the extent of cardiac injury in all groups.

KEY FINDINGS

The myocardium of G3 revealed significant increases in the numbers of inflammatory and apoptotic cells and the area percentage of collagen fibers and TNF-α immunoexpression compared with G1 and G2. Besides, qRT-PCR analysis exhibited significant reductions of SOD3, GPX1, and CAT expressions with significant increases in TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, cTnI, cTnT, and LDH expressions. Additionally, flow cytometry analysis demonstrated a significant elevation in the apoptotic and ROS levels. In contrast, allicin+TZB cotherapy in G4 ameliorated all previous changes compared with G3.

SIGNIFICANCE

The current study proves that allicin could be used as a novel supplementary cardioprotective therapy to avoid TZB-induced cardiotoxicity via its anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, antioxidant, antihyperlipidemic, and antiapoptotic properties.

Protective Effects of Allicin on Acute Myocardial Infarction in Rats via Hydrogen Sulfide-mediated Regulation of Coronary Arterial Vasomotor Function and Myocardial Calcium Transport

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a condition with high morbidity and mortality, for which effective treatments are lacking. Allicin has been reported to exert therapeutic effects on AMI, but the underlying mechanisms of its action have not been fully elucidated. To investigate this, a rat model of AMI was generated by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. DL-propargylglycine (PAG), a specific hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) synthetase inhibitor, was used to examine the effects of allicin on H₂S production. Isolated coronary arteries and cardiomyocytes were assessed for vascular reactivity and cellular Ca²⁺ transport using a multiwire myography system and a cell-contraction-ion detection system, respectively. Allicin administration improved cardiac function and myocardial pathology, reduced myocardial enzyme levels, and increased H₂S and H₂S synthetase levels. Allicin administration resulted in concentration-dependent effects on coronary artery dilation, which were mediated by receptor-dependent Ca²⁺ channels, ATP-sensitive K⁺ channels, and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca²⁺ release induced by the ryanodine receptor. Allicin administration improved Ca²⁺ homeostasis in cardiomyocytes by increasing cardiomyocyte contraction, Ca²⁺ transient amplitude, myofilament sensitivity, and SR Ca²⁺ content. Allicin also enhanced Ca²⁺ uptake via SR Ca²⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺ removal via the Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger, and it reduced SR Ca²⁺ leakage. Notably, the protective effects of allicin were partially attenuated by blockade of H₂S production with PAG. Our findings provide novel evidence that allicin-induced production of H₂S mediates coronary artery dilation and regulation of Ca²⁺ homeostasis in AMI. Our study presents a novel mechanistic insight into the anti-AMI effects of allicin and highlights the therapeutic potential of this compound.