Rosmarinic Acid suppressed high glucose-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells by ameliorating the mitochondrial function

Jiayu Diao1, Jin Wei1, Rui Yan1

  • 1Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, China.

Insights

Rosmarinic Acid protects heart cells from high glucose damage by improving mitochondrial function and activating the STAT3 pathway. This reduces cell death and oxidative stress, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for diabetic heart conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Mitochondrial Medicine
  • Cellular Signaling

Background:

  • Hyperglycemia induces myocardial dysfunction via mitochondrial injury and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation.
  • Rosmarinic Acid (RA) and Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation show protective effects on mitochondrial dysfunction.
  • Limited data exists on RA and STAT3 in high-glucose-induced cardiomyocyte injury.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between RA and STAT3 activation.
  • To determine the effects of RA and STAT3 on high glucose-induced mitochondrial injury and apoptosis in H9c2 cardiomyocytes.

Main Methods:

  • H9c2 cells were treated with high glucose and/or Rosmarinic Acid.
  • Mitochondrial function, ROS generation, and apoptosis markers (cytochrome c, caspase-3) were assessed.
  • STAT3 phosphorylation and expression were analyzed.
  • STAT3 inhibition using siRNA was performed to evaluate its role.

Main Results:

  • RA pretreatment inhibited high glucose-induced apoptosis and ROS generation in H9c2 cells.
  • RA improved mitochondrial function by inhibiting mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) activation and cytochrome c release.
  • High glucose reduced STAT3 phosphorylation, while RA treatment restored it.
  • STAT3 inhibition partially reversed the protective effects of RA.

Conclusions:

  • Rosmarinic Acid mitigates high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
  • RA ameliorates mitochondrial dysfunction and activates the STAT3 signaling pathway.
  • The protective effects of RA involve the activation of STAT3.

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