BNC Protects H9c2 Cardiomyoblasts from H 2 O 2 -Induced Oxidative Injury through ERK1/2 Signaling Pathway

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular medicine
• Pharmacology
• Cell biology

Background:

• Buchang naoxintong capsule (BNC) is a traditional Chinese medicine for cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases.
• The specific cardioprotective mechanisms of BNC against myocardial injury remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cardioprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of BNC in an in vitro model of oxidative stress.

Main Methods:

• H9c2 rat cardiomyoblasts were subjected to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative injury.
• BNC intestinal absorption liquid was used for preconditioning.
• Assays included antioxidant enzyme activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, ERK1/2 activation, apoptosis-related protein expression, intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, and mitochondrial membrane potential.

Main Results:

• BNC preconditioning significantly enhanced antioxidant capacity (total-antioxygen, superoxide dismutase, catalase) and reduced oxidative stress markers (ROS, MDA).
• BNC activated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) and inhibited apoptosis (PARP, caspase-3).
• BNC decreased intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, improved mitochondrial membrane potential, and reduced apoptosis rate in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusions:

• BNC exhibits significant cardioprotective effects against H2O2-induced oxidative injury in H9c2 cells.
• The mechanism involves boosting antioxidant defenses, activating ERK1/2, and inhibiting Ca(2+)-dependent, mitochondria-mediated apoptosis.
• BNC's efficacy is comparable to trimetazidine in this model.