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Andrographolide Mitigates DOCA-Salt-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy by Regulating Calcium-Handling Genes
Muhamad Rizqy Fadhillah1,2,3, Wawaimuli Arozal2, Raymond Rubianto Tjandrawinata4
1Doctoral Program in Biomedical Science, Universitas Indonesia, Central Jakarta, Java, Indonesia.
Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences
|August 14, 2026
Summary
Andrographolide treatment reduced cardiac hypertrophy in a rat model of hypertension. This natural compound helped restore normal calcium handling and reduce key markers of heart disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cardiac hypertrophy is a detrimental response to chronic hypertension, often linked to calcium handling dysregulation.
- Andrographolide, a plant-derived compound, shows promise for heart protection, but its effect on pressure-overload hypertrophy is not well understood.
- This study investigates andrographolide's impact on hypertension-induced cardiac hypertrophy and associated molecular changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of andrographolide in mitigating cardiac hypertrophy induced by deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt treatment in rats.
- To assess andrographolide's influence on calcium-handling gene expression, specifically SERCA2a and RyR.
- To determine the effect of andrographolide on plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels as a biomarker for cardiac strain.
Main Methods:
- A deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt rat model was established to induce hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy.
- Rats were treated with andrographolide or a vehicle control after developing hypertension.
- Cardiac function, blood pressure, plasma BNP, cardiac calcium levels, and SERCA2a/RyR mRNA expression were assessed.
Main Results:
- DOCA-salt treatment led to significant increases in blood pressure, left ventricular hypertrophy, plasma BNP, and cardiac calcium levels.
- Andrographolide administration effectively attenuated these hypertension-induced detrimental effects.
- Andrographolide treatment restored the expression of SERCA2a and RyR, key calcium-handling proteins.
Conclusions:
- Andrographolide demonstrates a significant therapeutic effect against DOCA-salt-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats.
- The cardioprotective mechanism of andrographolide appears to involve the restoration of calcium-handling pathways.
- These findings suggest andrographolide holds potential for treating hypertension-related cardiac remodeling.
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