Icariin prevents hypertension-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis through the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway

A prior study demonstrated that icariin (ICA) could repress angiotensin II-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells. The activation of mitochondrial apoptotic pathways may play a crucial role in this phenomenon. In this study, we explored the potential protective roles of ICA in apoptosis in cardiomyocytes, cardiac remodelling, and the underlying mechanisms with regard to the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in rats with spontaneous hypertension. The oral administration of ICA (20 and 40mg/kg/d) inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ameliorated left heart ventricle remodelling and abnormal mitochondria. ICA also decreased the blood pressure of model rats. ICA treatment increased the expression of Bcl-2 and decreased the expression of p53, Bax, Bok and cleaved caspase 3 in model rats, which suggests the potential mechanism underlying this effect. In summary, ICA inhibits the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and ameliorates cardiac remodelling. The potential mechanism may relate to the inhibition of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.