Protosappanin A Protects DOX-Induced Myocardial Injury and Cardiac Dysfunction by Targeting ACSL4/FTH1 Axis-Dependent...

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective anticancer agent, but its clinical utility is constrained by dose-dependent cardiotoxicity, partly due to cardiomyocyte ferroptosis. However, the progress of developing cardioprotective medications to counteract ferroptosis has encountered obstacles. Protosappanin A (PrA), an anti-inflammatory compound derived from hematoxylin, shows potential against DOX-induced cardiomyopathy (DIC). Here, it is reported that PrA alleviates myocardial damage and dysfunction by reducing DOX-induced ferroptosis and maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis. Subsequently, the molecular target of PrA through proteome microarray, molecular docking, and dynamics simulation is identified. Mechanistically, PrA physically binds with ferroptosis-related proteins acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), ultimately inhibiting ACSL4 phosphorylation and subsequent phospholipid peroxidation, while also preventing FTH1 autophagic degradation and subsequent release of ferrous ions (Fe²⁺) release. Given the critical role of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury, this further investigation posits that PrA can confer a protective effect against IR-induced cardiac damage by inhibiting ferroptosis. Overall, a novel pharmacological inhibitor is unveiled that targets ferroptosis and uncover a dual-regulated mechanism for cardiomyocyte ferroptosis in DIC, highlighting additional therapeutic options for chemodrug-induced cardiotoxicity and ferroptosis-triggered disorders.