Icariin attenuates cardiac remodelling through down-regulating myocardial apoptosis and matrix metalloproteinase activity in rats with congestive heart failure.

Objectives: In this study, the anti-heart failure effect of icariin, a natural flavonol glycoside, and the underlying mechanisms were investigated.

Methods: Heart failure was induced by isoproterenol in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Matrix metalloproteinase activity was determined by gelatin zymography assay. The mRNA expression was determined by real-time PCR. The protein expression was determined by Western bolt. Mitochondria structure was examined by transmission electron microscopy.

Key Findings: Isoproterenol administration resulted in a severe heart failure, as shown by the increased levels of left ventricular weight index, heart rate, left ventricular end diastolic pressure, maximal rate of left ventricular pressure decline (dp/dt(min) ), decreased levels of left ventricular systolic pressure and maximal rate of left ventricular pressure rise (dp/dt(max) ). Against these, icariin dose-dependently reversed the changes of these cardiac morphometric and haemodynamic parameters. In addition, icariin significantly inhibited serum levels of tumour necrosis factor-α, noradrenaline, angiotensin II and brain natriuretic peptide in rats with congestive hear failure and improved the histological changes, including cardiocyte hypertrophy, cardiocyte degeneration, inflammatory infiltration and cardiac desmoplasia. Furthermore, the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, which regulate collagen production, were also blocked by icariin. Moreover, myocardial apoptosis was remarkably attenuated by icariin through regulating Bcl-2/Bax axle.

Conclusions: Icariin ameliorates left ventricular dysfunction and cardiac remodelling through down-regulating matrix metalloproteinase-2 and 9 activity and myocardial apoptosis in rats with congestive heart failure.

(© 2011 The Authors. JPP © 2011 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.)