Open AccessSalutary effects of Corydalis yanhusuo extract on cardiac hypertrophy due to pressure overload in rats
Author(s) -
Wen Chengping,
Wu Limao,
Ling Haiyun,
Li Lianda
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.745
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 2042-7158
pISSN - 0022-3573
DOI - 10.1211/jpp.59.8.0015
Subject(s) - muscle hypertrophy , pressure overload , medicine , fibrosis , cardiac function curve , endocrinology , ventricle , cardiac fibrosis , western blot , cardiology , heart failure , cardiac hypertrophy , chemistry , biochemistry , gene
We have evaluated the effects of an alcohol extract from the rhizome of Corydalis yanhusuo W.T. (CY), a well‐known traditional Chinese medicinal herb, on pressure‐overloaded cardiac hypertrophy induced by transverse abdominal aorta constriction (TAAC) in rats. Rats were given vehicle or CY extract (200 or 50 mg kg −1 per day) from the second week after induction of pressure overload, for a period of 7 weeks. Haemodynamic parameters, relative heart weight and myocyte cross‐sectional area were measured in each group. We also estimated left ventricular (LV) collagen volume fraction (CVF) using Masson trichrome staining, and type I collagen expression by Western blot assay. Chronic TAAC caused notable cardiac hypertrophy and heart dysfunction. Significant collagen deposition and greater type I collagen expression were found in model control rats. These changes were not significantly reversed after treatment with 50 mgkg −1 CY, whereas 200 mgkg −1 significantly improved heart function and prevented cardiac hypertrophy, with parallel reductions in myocardial fibrosis, as evidenced by reduced LV CVF and reduced levels of type I collagen. In conclusion, chronic treatment of rats with CY extract attenuated development of cardiac hypertrophy.