Cardioprotective effect of matrine on isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity in rats.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to explore the effect and mechanism of matrine, an active component of Chinese traditional medicine, on isoproterenol-induced acute cardiotoxicity in rats.


METHODS
Acute myocardial injury was induced in rats by daily subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol (85 mg/kg) for two days. Haemodynamic and biochemical parameters were measured and histopathological examination was performed.


RESULTS
Chronic oral administration of matrine (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg per day for 10 days) significantly reduced the release of lactic dehydrogenase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and creatine kinase after isoproterenol-induced myocardial ischaemic injury, improved the left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, including increased LV systolic pressure (LVSP), maximum rate of developed LV pressure (LV dP/dt(max)) and minimum rate of developed LV pressure (LV dP/dt(min)), increased the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, and also decreased the content of the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde in plasma and myocardial tissues in rats. Acute oral administration of matrine at a dose of 100 or 200 mg/kg for two days also had a cardioprotective effect on this rat model. The protective role of matrine on isoproterenol-induced myocardial damage was further confirmed by histopathological examination. There were no significant changes in heart rate and blood pressure in all experimental groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that matrine has a significant cardioprotection against isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity through its antioxidant property.
Li
Xiaobing
X
Department of Pharmacology, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, P. R. of China.
Zhou
Ru
R
Zheng
Ping
P
Yan
Lin
L
Wu
Yang
Y
Xiao
Xu
X
Dai
Guidong
G
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007545:Isoproterenol; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011807:Quinolizines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D029909:Sophora / Q000737:chemistry*; D000093842:Matrines
D000470:Alkaloids; D000975:Antioxidants; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D011807:Quinolizines; D007545:Isoproterenol; D000093842:Matrines