Salvia miltiorrhiza injection ameliorates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury via downregulation of PECAM-1

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza injection on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and PECAM-1 related pathways. Method: Male Wistar rats were used for establishment of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion model. The rats were randomly assigned to four groups: experimental group, low dose group (Salvia miltiorrhiza injection, 10 mL/kg/day), moderate dose group (Salvia miltiorrhiza injection, 20 mL/kg/day) and high dose group (Salvia miltiorrhiza injection, 40 mL/kg/day). Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion model was established in the four groups. Evans-TTC staining was used to assess relative area of ischemiareperfusion injury. Blood samples were collected for assay of PECAM-1 expression using enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fresh blood platelets were collected in all groups, and divided into two groups - control group (normal culture) and experimental group (Salvia miltiorrhiza injection). The expression of PECAM-1 in blood platelets was assayed using Western blot. Result: Compared with the experimental group, Salvia miltiorrhiza injection ameliorated myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, and decreased the infarction area seen in Evans/TTC staining. PECAM-1 expression in blood was decreased by Salvia miltiorrhiza injection. Blood platelets dysfunction was induced after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion, and the level of PECAM-1 increased. However, Salvia miltiorrhiza injection treatment downregulated the expression of PECAM-1 after myocardial ischemiareperfusion. Conclusion: Salvia miltiorrhiza injection maintains normal function of blood platelets and ameliorates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by decreasing expression of PECAM-1.