Naringin improves post-ischemic myocardial injury by activation of KATP channels.

Naringin (NRG) is a flavonoid with recognized cardioprotective effects. Then, it was investigated the cardioprotective mechanisms of NRG against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. The rats were pretreated for 7 days (v.o.) with NRG (25 mg/kg) or n-acetylcysteine (NAC, 100 mg/kg) and their isolated hearts were subjected to global ischemia (30 min) and reperfusion (60 min). Furthermore, isolated hearts were perfused with 5 µM NRG in the presence of 10 µM glibenclamide (GLI) and subjected to I/R protocol. In healthy ventricular cardiomyocyte, it was evaluated the acute effect of 5 µM NRG on the GLI sensitive current. The results showed that NRG pretreatment restored the cardiac function and electrocardiogram (ECG) alterations induced by I/R injury, decreasing arrhythmia scores and the occurrence of severe arrhythmias. Lactate dehydrogenase and infarct area were decreased while superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and citrate synthase activities increased. Expression of SOD CuZn and SOD Mn not was altered. NRG treatment decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and lipid peroxidation without alter sulfhydryl groups and protein carbonylation. Also, NRG (5 µM) increased the glibenclamide sensitive current in isolated cardiomyocytes. In isolated heart, the cardioprotection of NRG was significantly reduced by GLI. Furthermore, NRG promoted downregulation of Bax expression and Bax/Bcl-2. Histopathological analysis showed that NRG decreased cell edema, cardiomyocytes and nucleus diameter. Thus, NRG has a cardioprotective effect against cardiac I/R injury which is mediated by its antioxidant and antiapoptotic actions and KATP channels activation.

Myocardial hypertrophy is prevented by farnesol through oxidative stress and ERK1/2 signaling pathways.

Farnesol is a sesquiterpene found in several plants, with multiple pharmacological activities. However, pharmacological actions of farnesol in the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy are not yet reported. This study aimed to investigate the effect and regulatory mechanisms of farnesol against isoproterenol-induced pathological cardiac hypertrophy. Male Wistar rats were treated for 8 days with isoproterenol (4.5 mg/kg; i. p.) and with farnesol (50 µM; i. p.). Hearts were subjected to evaluation of left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), coronary pressure, electrocardiogram, histopathological analysis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, antioxidant enzyme activity, and pro- and anti-apoptosis protein expression. The results showed that severe impairment of LVDP induced by cardiac hypertrophy was significantly prevented by farnesol treatment. Moreover, farnesol attenuated electrocardiographic changes that are characteristic of cardiac hypertrophy, as well as prevented the increase of fibrosis and migration of inflammatory cells in cardiac tissue. Additionally, farnesol treatment prevented the increase of cardiac ROS generation and restored the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes, such as SOD and catalase. It was also evidenced that farnesol decreased the ERK1/2, Bax and Caspase 3 activation, and an increase of AKT and Bcl-2 protein expression, which can be associated with the pathological cardiac remodeling and also with cardioprotection mediated by farnesol, respectively. These results suggest that farnesol is a novel therapeutic agent for amelioration of cardiac hypertrophy in rats.

Calcium overload-induced arrhythmia is suppressed by farnesol in rat heart.

Cardiac arrhythmias are among the most important pathologies that lead to sudden death. The discovery of new therapeutic options against arrhythmias with low adverse effects is of paramount importance. Farnesol is found in essential oils with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective properties. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of farnesol on the contractile and electrophysiological properties in rat heart and evaluate its antiarrhythmic action. It was evaluated farnesol effects on the left ventricular developed pressure, ECG, potassium (Ik) and L-type Ca2+ currents (ICa,L), action potential, intracellular Ca2+ transient, Ca2+ sparks and waves and reactive oxygen species production. Antiarrhythmic activity of farnesol was determined in vivo and ex vivo. The results showed that 50 µM farnesol did not alter left ventricular developed pressure, heart rate, ECG parameters and intracellular Ca2+ transient but reduced ICa,L. Farnesol reduced action potential duration at 90% repolarization. Notably, farnesol improved arrhythmia score and the incidence of the most severe arrhythmias. Farnesol attenuated the generation of reactive oxygen species, Ca2+ sparks and waves in isolated cardiomyocytes submitted to Ca2+ overload. In conclusion, farnesol has antiarrhythmic effect mediated by reducing of ICa,L and IK along with a decrease of reactive oxygen species production and normalized Ca2+ sparks and waves.