Danqi soft caspule alleviates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by attenuating mitochondrial fission

Background Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury which leads to continuously worsening ventricular remodeling and cardiac dysfunction in the chronic stage, is a significant contributor to the global prevalence of heart failure. Traditional Chinese herbal formulas have been shown to prevent myocardial I/R injury. Method This study aims to investigate whether Danqi soft caspule (DQ), a classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparation, exerted the protective effects against myocardial I/R injury and explore the potential underlying mechanisms. A rat model of myocardial I/R and a cell model of H 2 O 2 induced oxidative stress injury were established to assess the effects of DQ on cardiac injury, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, as well as mitochondrial structure and function. Result DQ pre-treatment reduced both the proportion of infarct area and ischemic risk area and decreased cardiomyocyte apoptosis in myocardial I/R injury rats. In H 2 O 2 induced cells, DQ was found to reduce cell apoptosis and lower oxidative stress levels. Furthermore, DQ inhibited mitochondrial fission, prevented alterations in mitochondrial membrane potential, and suppressed Cytochrome C release from the mitochondria, thereby preventing apoptosis. DQ has protective effects against I/R induced oxidative stress injury by reducing cardiomyocyte apoptosis through inhibition mitochondrial fission. Moreover, DQ could restore mitochondrial structure and function by suppressing the phosphorylation of Ca 2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp-1). Conclusion DQ inhibited I/R injury and cardiomyocyte apoptosis by reducing mitochondrial fission associated with suppressing the phosphorylation of CaMKII and Drp-1.