Skip to main content
Download PDF

The modified Yi qi decoction protects cardiac ischemia-reperfusion induced injury in rats

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine volume 17, Article number: 330 (2017) Cite this article

Abstract

Background

To investigate the effects and involved mechanisms of the modified Yi Qi decoction (MYQ) in cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (IR) induced injury.

Methods

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a 30-min coronary arterial occlusion followed by reperfusion, low or high dose decoction of MYQ was administrated orally for 1 week or 1 month.

Results

Both in 1 week and 1 month IR rat groups, cardiac function indexes were significantly impaired compared with sham group rats, accompanied with higher ratio of infarct size to risk size, decreased expressions of sodium calcium exchanger (NCX1) and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (Serca2a), and different expressions of autophagic proteins, Beclin-1 and LC3. Treatment with MYQ (low or high dose) for 1 week showed no marked beneficial effects on cardiac function and cardiac injury (ratio of infarct size to risk size), although expressions of anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2, NCX1 and Serca2a were increased. Treatment with MYQ (low or high dose) for 1 month showed significantly improved effects on cardiac function and cardiac injury (ratio of infarct size to risk size), accompanied with increase of Bcl-2, NCX1 and Serca2a expressions, and decrease of Bax (a pro-apoptotic protein) and Beclin-1 expressions.

Conclusions

The results show that MYQ have potential therapeutic effects on IR-induced cardiac injury, which may be through regulation of apoptotic proteins, cytosolic Ca2+ handling proteins and autophagic proteins signal pathways.

Peer Review reports

Background

Heart failure is still a major public health problem worldwide with high mortality and morbidity [1, 2]. It can be the result of various diseases, coronary artery disease and subsequent myocardial infarction is a common cause of heart failure. The rapid energy depletion suppresses metabolic activity and leads to the induction of cardiomyocytes cell death pathways. Reperfusion ameliorates the extent of cell death, but in turn it invokes lethal reperfusion injury, which may proceed via necrosis, apoptosis and autophagy [3]. The mechanisms responsible for ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury have been widely investigated, calcium overload, excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the release of inflammatory factors are the major causative factors of cardiac I/R injury [4,5,6]. A large number of strategies has been proposed to improve cardiac function related to those mechanisms, however, the clinic outcomes are still not satisfied.

Chinese herbal medicine, especially combined herbal formulation, has been widely applied for cardiovascular diseases for hundreds of years. Possible mechanisms have been well reviewed [7], including: (1) anti-oxidation, (2) anti-inflammation, (3) anti-apoptosis, (4) protection of mitochondria function, (5) promoting angiogenesis, (6) increasing bone marrow derived stem cells migration, (7) inhibiting Ca2+ overload. According to the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the principal mechanism of cardiovascular disease is considered to be a disorder or deficiency of Qi (energy) and a disorder of the circulation (blood stasis) which lead to severe pain and even death. Therefore, the main aims of Chinese herbs and herbal formulations in cardiovascular diseases treatment are to regulate or replenish Qi, and/or to unblock circulation or resolve blood stasis. However, studies of Chinese decoctions or formulations in treatment of cardiovascular diseases are relatively scarce, although decoction and formulations are the main forms of therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine practice.

Wu Meng Therapy has long history for more than 2500 years. Xi Feng-Lin, a grandmaster of Chinese Medicine, established ten principles for treatment of coronary disease according to Synopsis of Preions of the Golden Chamber written by Zhang Zhong-Jing of Eastern Han Dynasty (150–219), its main concept is treatment of heart diseases should combine with improvement of heart, spleen and stomach functions. The modified Yi Qi decoction (MYQ) consists of five herbs including Milkvetch Root, Semen Pharbitidis, Cinnamom Twig, Fructus Amomi, and White Peony Root. Milkvetch Root, has been used for more over 2000 years in China, can strengthen immune function, protect liver, promote urination, resist aging and stress, reduce blood pressure and extensively resist bacterium [8,9,10,11,12]. Semen Pharbitidis has anti-tumor and anti-metastasis effects in Lewis lung cancer [13]. Recently, it was also reported that a Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbal Ointment, mainly containing Semen Pharbitidis could reduce malignant pleural effusion [14]. Cinnamom Twig also has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of endometriosis-related symptomatic discomfort [15], uterine fibroid [16]. Recently, anti-hyperglycemic and antioxidant activities of twig extract from Cinnamomum osmophloeum also have been reported [17]. Fructus Amomi also has hypoglycemic, antioxidative and anti-allergic inflammatory activities [18,19,20]. White Peony Root is a component herb of many traditional formulae, such as Siwu-Tang, which has been widely used in treating palpitation, dysmenorrhea, chronic inflammation, anemia, depression, diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain and acute radiation-induced esophagitis [21,22,23,24].

Importantly, Yi Qi decoction has been widely applied in ancient Chinese patients and recent scientific researches supporting its beneficial effects. Yin et al. demonstrated that a Yi Qi decoction, Shu-Mai-Tang could attenuate TNFα-induced myocardial fibrosis in myocardial ischemia rats [25]. Mark et al. also reported that another Yi Qi decoction, Dang-Gui Buxue Tang, possesses a more potent cardioprotective effect than it’s extracts from different component herbs and enhances glutathione status in rat heart mitochondria and erythrocytes [26]. Other Yi Qi decoctions, Shu-mai-tang, Dan-Chuan-Hong also have beneficial effects on angiogenesis, arteriogenesis, anti-apoptosis and improvement of cardiac function in rats with myocardial ischemia [27, 28]. Recently, Danshen-Gegen decoction, also belonging to Yi Qi decoction, has been reported to protect the myocardium against I/R injury via the redox-sensitive PKCε/mKATP pathway in rats [29], and protect against hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis by inhibiting mitochondrial permeability transition via the redox-sensitive ERK/Nrf2 and PKCε/mKATP pathways in H9c2 cardiomyocytes [30]. These above-mentioned litterateurs suggest that Yi Qi decoction may protect cardiac against I/R injury, however, different compositions of decoction may have different effects and via different signal pathways. Therefore, in the present study we carry out our investigation into the effects and mechanisms of Yi Qi decoction with modification (MYQ) on cardiac I/R induced injury.

In the present study, we applied rat I/R model and treated with different dosages of MYQ after reperfusion for 1 week or 1 month. Cardiac performance after one-week and one-month reperfusion is examined to testify the therapeutic effects of MYQ. Furthermore, mechanisms of therapeutic effects of MYQ are investigated by detecting the expressions of apoptotic signal pathway proteins, calcium handling proteins, autophagic signal pathway proteins.

Methods

Preparation of MYQ

MYQ was prepared from five dried raw materials (Table 1) purchased from Suzhou Chinese Traditional Medicine Hospital (Suzhou, China) and authenticated by a pharmacist of traditional Chinese medicine in Suzhou Chinese Traditional Medicine Hospital and all voucher specimens are deposited in the herbarium center of Suzhou Chinese Traditional Medicine Hospital. All raw materials were extracted by boiling in distilled water (about 6-fold the weight of the mixture) at 100 °C for 20 min and then filtered. The filtrates were stored at −80 °C for further application.

Table 1 Composition of MYQ
Full size table

Experimental animals

Ten-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were purchased from Shanghai Laboratory Animal Center. Rats were housed under optimal conditions with standard hygiene, kept at a temperature of 25 °C with a 12/12 light/dark cycle, fed with standard rat chow and water ad libitum. The experiments were performed in according with the National Institutes of Health Guidelines for the Use of Laboratory Animals (NIH, publication number 85–23, revised 1996.), which were approved by and performed according to guidelines for the care and use of animals established by Soochow University of Animal Care and Use Committee. All surgery was performed under sodium pentobarbital anesthesia, and all efforts were made to minimize animal suffering.

Myocardial I/R model

The I/R model was performed as our previous report [31]. Briefly, rats were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (50 mg/kg i.p.), cardiac I/R was performed by exposing the heart at the fifth intercostal space followed by a slipknot (6–0 silk) below the left descending coronary artery. Regional left ventricular ischemia was performed via occlusion of the coronary artery by clamping it together with the propylene tube. After 30 min of ischemia, the slipknot was released and ischemic part was subjected to reperfusion. Two hours later, rats were treated with or without MYQ solution for 1 ml (low dose, equals to clinical patient’s dosage calculated according to body surface area) or 4 ml (high dose) by gastric feeding. Then, everyday rats were treated three times with above-mentioned dosages. Sham group is without occlusion (n = 10), low dose treatment of I/R rats lasts for 1 week (n = 10) or 1 month (n = 10), high dose treatment of I/R rats also lasts for 1 week (n = 9) or 1 month (n = 9).

Cardiac function measurements

One week or 1 month later after I/R, rats were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (50 mg/kg i.p.), and hemodynamic parameters were measured using a heart performance analysis system (ALCBIO, Shanghai Alcott Biotech CO., LTD.). The left femoral artery and right common carotid artery were isolated. A polystyrene PE-50 catheter was inserted into the left ventricle via right common carotid artery, with the other end connected to the analysis system. The major parameters of cardiac function were derived or calculated from the continuously obtained pressure signal, including systolic arterial pressure (SAP), the rate of maximum positive and negative left ventricular pressure development (± LVdp/dt max), and the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), etc.

Measurement of ratio of myocardial infarct area to area at risk

After rat’s cardiac function was measured under anesthetized condition with sodium pentobarbital (50 mg/kg i.p.), rat hearts were excised immediately and perfused with Evans blue (1%, 4 ml) via the coronary artery under ligation of the left descending coronary artery with the remained sutures. Hearts were traversely cut into 1–2 mm slices along the ligation point, placed in 1.25% 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC; Sigma, USA) solution in PBS, incubate for 10 min at 37 °C. The ischemic regions (area at risk, AAR) and the infarct area (white area is not stained by TTC) were recorded by digital camera, and blue area (stained by Evans blue; non-ischemic area) were analyzed with a digital imaging system (NIH image software). The ratio of myocardial infarct area to area-at-risk (AAR) was calculated.

Western blot analysis

Myocardial tissues (AAR tissue) were homogenized with RIPA buffer (50 mm Tris, ph 7.0, 150 mM NaCl, 1% Triton-X-100) containing phenylmenthanesulfonyl fluoride (R&D Systems Inc., Minneapolis, US). Homogenates were centrifuged at 12,000×g for 10 min at 4 °C. Cell protein were separated by SDS-PAGE and transferred to PVDF membranes (Hybond TM-ECL; Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Inc.). The membranes were blocked in 5% nonfat milk in PBS and 0.1% Tween-20 at room temperature. The blots were then incubated with primary antibody: anti-Caspase-3 antibody (1:1000, abcam, Inc.), anti-Bcl-2 antibody (1:1000, Immunoway Biotech, Inc.), anti-Bax antibody (1:1000, abcam, Inc.), anti-Beclin-1 (1:1000, Santa Cruz Biotech, Inc.), anti-LC3 (1:1000, abcam, Inc.), anti-NCX1 (1:1000, abcam, Inc.), anti-Serca2a (1:1000, abcam, Inc.)0 or anti-GAPDH (Santa Cruz Biotech, Inc.). Then the membranes were incubated for 1 h with a secondary antibody (HRP-conjugated anti-rabbit Ig-G, 1:2000). Excess antibody was washed off with TBS-T three times (15 min each) before incubation enhanced chemiluminescent reagent (ECL, R&D Systems Inc., Minneapolis, USA) for 1 min. Subsequently, the membrane was exposed to X-ray film. Immunoreactive bands were detected by the analysis of X-ray films using the software of Image J. The quantity of target proteins is normalized by GAPDH expression.

Statistical analysis

The SPSS 18.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Data were presented as the mean ± S.E.M. Grouped data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance followed by the Student-Newman-Keuls test between each group. A P value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results

Effects of MYQ on cardiac function after I/R injury

To determine the effects of MYQ on cardiac function in rat subject to I/R injury, cardiac function measurements were performed one week or one month after reperfusion. I/R significantly decreases cardiac function compared with the sham control group, by decreasing the systolic arterial pressure (SAP), Pmax, ± dp/dtmax, LVEDP and other parameters (Table 2). One-week treatment with MYQ improves the cardiac function parameters under high dosage; One-month treatment with MYQ significantly ameliorates cardiac function both under low and high dosage.

Table 2 Effect of MYQ on cardiac function
Full size table

Effects of MQY on myocardial infarct size after I/R injury

Cardiomyocyte injury is characterized by myocardial infarct size. To determine whether MQY attenuates I/R-induced cardiomyocyte injury, ratio of infarct size to area-at-risk was calculated. Our data show that ratio of infarct size to area-at risk was still markedly high after one-week or one-month reperfusion. Treatment with MQY for 1 week did not significantly change the ratio, however, treatment for 1 month significantly reduces the ratio (Fig. 1). Data suggest the long-term therapeutic effects of MQY on I/R-induced cardiomyocyte injury.

Fig. 1
figure 1

Effects of MYQ on the infarct size caused by occlusion and reperfusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery in anesthetized rat hearts. MYQ was given after two-hours reperfusion (P.O. tid for 1 week or 1 month). The ratio of infarct size to area at risk was measured after one-week or one-month treatment with MYQ. Sham: Sham group (n = 10); I/R: ischemic/reperfusion group (n = 10). I/R + Low dose: Low dose (1 ml, P.O. tid for one-week or 1 month, n = 10 in each group) MYQ treatment group. I/R + High dose: High dose (4 ml, P.O. tid for one-week or 1 month, n = 9 in each group) MYQ treatment group. All data were expression as mean ± S.E.M. * P < 0.05 compared with I/R group

Full size image

Effects of MQY on apoptotic signal pathway in rat I/R model

Bcl-2 and Bax genes are reported to play a crucial role in cell survival or death after apoptotic stimuli [32]. Caspase-3 is also an important component of the apoptotic pathway [33]. The effects of MQY on Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 expression in myocardial tissue were analyzed by western blot. I/R for one-week or 1 month did not show any marked effects on the expression of these proteins compared with sham group. However, anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2 was significantly increases in high doses groups of MQY treatment for one-week or one-month compared with I/R group (Fig. 2a). In addition, expression of pro-apoptotic protein, Bax, was markedly reduced in high dose group of MQY treatment for one-month compared with I/R group (Fig. 2b). Levels of caspase-3 were not significantly different among all groups (Fig. 2c). These results indicate that MQY may exerts its protective effects via parts of apoptotic signal pathway.

Fig. 2
figure 2

Effects of MYQ on the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3. a Expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, upper is the representative blots of Bcl-2 and GAPDH; lower is the densitometric analysis of Bcl-2 expression normalized to GAPDH (n = 8). b Expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax, upper is the representative blots of Bax and GAPDH; lower is the densitometric analysis of Bax expression normalized to GAPDH (n = 8). c Expression of the caspase-3, upper is the representative blots of caspase-3 and GAPDH; lower is the densitometric analysis of caspase-3 expression normalized to GAPDH (n = 8). Sham: Sham group; I/R: ischemic/reperfusion group. I/R + Low dose: Low dose (1 ml, P.O. tid for one-week or 1 month) MYQ treatment group. I/R + High dose: High dose (4 ml, P.O. tid for one-week or 1 month) MYQ treatment group. All data were expression as mean ± S.E.M. * P < 0.05 compared with I/R group

Full size image

Effects of MQY on Ca2+ handling proteins expression in rat I/R model

It is well-known that I/R could influence the Ca2+ regulatory protein expressions [34]. Our results show that one-week after I/R, both expressions of NCX1 and Serca2a were significantly reduced compared with sham group. Treatment with MQY for one-week could reverse these reductions (both of low and high dose). In addition, after one-month I/R, expression of NCX1 were still low, but not significantly different with sham group, and MQY treatment also markedly increased NCX1 expressions (both of low and high dose). Furthermore, 1 month after I/R, expression of Serca2a was still markedly lower compared with sham group, and MQY treatment also significantly increased the Serca2a expression compared with I/R group (Fig. 3). There results suggest that MQY could up-regulate Ca2+ handling protein expressions therefore ameliorate intracellular Ca2+ overload in response to cardiac I/R.

Fig. 3
figure 3

Effects of MYQ on the expression of NCX1 and SERCA2a. a Expression of SERCA2a, upper is the representative blots of NCX1 and GAPDH; lower is the densitometric analysis of NCX1 expression normalized to GAPDH (n = 8). b Expression of SERCA2a, upper is the representative blots of SERCA2a and GAPDH; lower is the densitometric analysis of SERCA2a expression normalized to GAPDH (n = 8). Sham: Sham group; I/R: ischemic/reperfusion group. I/R + Low dose: Low dose (1 ml, P.O. tid for one-week or 1 month) MYQ treatment group. I/R + High dose: High dose (4 ml, P.O. tid for one-week or 1 month) MYQ treatment group. All data were expression as mean ± S.E.M. † P < 0.05 compared with sham group, * P < 0.05 compared with I/R group

Full size image

Effects of MQY on autophagic signal pathway in rat I/R model

Although it is still controversial about role of autophagy in response to reperfusion, existing evidence demonstrated that reperfusion induces upregulation of Beclin-1, which further impairs autophagosome processing, culminating in increased reactive oxygen species generation, mitochondrial permeabilization, and cardiomyocyte death [35]. Our investigation found that expression of Beclin-1 was higher after I/R for 1 week than that of sham group, which consists with previous observation. Interestingly, treatment with MQY for 1 week showed no marked increase of Beclin-1 expression (both in low and high dose groups) compared with control group. Importantly, although 1 month after I/R, expression of Beclin-1 return to normal level, treatment with high dose of MQY significantly reduced the expression of Beclin-1 compared with I/R group (Fig. 4a). These data suggest that MQY could regulate Beclin-1 expression, which may alleviate impaired autophagosome processing and cardiomyocyte death.

Fig. 4
figure 4

Effects of MYQ on the expression of Beclin-1 and LC3. a Expression of Beclin-1, upper is the representative blots of Beclin-1 and GAPDH; lower is the densitometric analysis of Beclin-1 expression normalized to GAPDH (n = 8). b Expression of LC3, upper is the representative blots of LC3 I and LC3 II; lower is the densitometric analysis of the ratio of LC3 II to LC3 I (n = 8). Sham: Sham group; I/R: ischemic/reperfusion group. I/R + Low dose: Low dose (1 ml, P.O. tid for one-week or 1 month) MYQ treatment group. I/R + High dose: High dose (4 ml, P.O. tid for one-week or 1 month) MYQ treatment group. All data were expression as mean ± S.E.M. † P < 0.05 compared with sham group

Full size image

LC3 is also an important marker for autophagy levels [36]. In the present study, we found that I/R reduced LC3-II expression both in one-week and one-month group compared with sham group, strongly suggest I/R could impair autophagic flux. However, treatment with MQY had no effect on reduction of LC3-II expression in low or high dose groups for one-week or one-month (Fig. 4b). These results suggest that MQY might exert protective effects through specific regulation of autophagic signal pathway.

Discussion

In the present study, our data clearly demonstrate that MYQ could improve cardiac function and reduce myocardial injury in response to long term I/R injury. The involved mechanism may be through regulation of cell apoptosis cascades (increase of Bcl2 and decrease Bax expressions), increasing Ca2+ handling proteins (increase of NCX1 and Serca2a expression), and regulating autophagic proteins signal pathways (decrease of Beclin-1 expression).

MYQ used in the present study is composed of five herbs, each having been widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for various diseases. Milkvetch Root has been ascribed to be an important herb to improve Qi [7]. BuYang HuanWu decotion, composed of Milkvetch Root and other herbs, has been reported to has protective effects on myocardial ischemia induced by isoproterenol in rats [37]. Milkvetch Root also has been reported to has specific effects on Ca2+ handling both in cellular level [10, 11] and whole body level [12]. Recently, protective effects of Milkvetch Root against endothelial dysfunction in hypertrophic rats induced by isoproterenol also has been reported [38]. Besides the effects of Milkvetch Root on cardiovascular diseases, its effects on other diseases also have been reported, such as malignant plural effusion [14], diabetes [39, 40], and cancer [41]. Although Semen Pharbitidis is reported to has toxicology effect after long term administration [42], its therapeutic effect on relieving constipation by purgation, dispersing phlegm and washing excessive fluid is also well investigated, and is widely used for the treatment of edema, ascites, hydroncus, simple obesity, lung fever, tumor and ardent fever [43,44,45]. Extraction of Semen Pharbitidis also shows antioxidant effect [46]. Cinnamom Twig has excellent antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitory activities [17], and anti-inflammatory activities [47]. A population-based study also showed that Cinnamom Twig has sedative and anti-inflammatory effect for the treatment of endometriosis-related symptomatic discomfort [15]. Fructus Amomi is used to treat stomach disorders, pulmonary diseases and liver complaints [48, 49], which also has antioxidant activity [50]. White Peony Root has been reported to promote the recovery of bone marrow hemopoietic function in a myelosuppressed mouse model [51], and its therapeutic effect on radiation-induced esophageal toxicity is also has been observed [52, 53]. Based on above-mentioned literatures, composition of MYQ includes the herbs for improving cardiovascular and digestive function, and regulating immune system, which is accordance with the core concept of Wu Meng Therapy: treatment of cardiovascular diseases combined with circulatory and digestive systems. In the present study we firstly explore the therapeutic effects of MYQ in I/R induced cardiac injury, secondly, we investigate the possible mechanisms involved in.

It is well-known that reperfusion of heart results in further damage of heart tissue, and induces reduction of heart function [54, 55]. Our investigation clearly shows that there is significant reduction of cardiac function after one-week and one-month reperfusion, which is concordance with previous report [55]. However, MQY treatment could improve cardiac function after I/R one-week (high dose) and one-month (both low dose and high dose, Table 2). These results strongly reveal the therapeutic effect of MQY in response to I/R induced reduction of cardiac function. In addition, our results also show that tissue injury is ameliorated after treatment of MQY for one-month, although one-week treatment does not show any significant improvement. It should be noted that dosages, especially the high dose, used in the present study are well-designed to investigated the mechanisms involved in. Also, it should be mentioned that time of MQY treatment is more similar for treatment of clinical patients with cardiac infarction patients, which might provide more precise evidence for clinical application.

Traditionally, it has been well recognized that cellular responses to I/R is highly related to the activation of apoptotic pathways and various strategies were explored to suppress the activation of apoptosis [56, 57]. Although our present data does not show any markedly effects of MQY on apoptosis signal pathway with low dose, however, high dose of MQY shows significant effect on regulation of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and pro-apoptotic protein Bax, which implies that MQY exerts its protective effect may be through regulation of apoptotic signal pathway. Interestingly, expression of caspase-3, which is best known for its role in the execution phase of apoptosis, is not different after one-week or one-month reperfusion compared with control group. We speculate that caspase signal pathways only play pivotal role in short term of injurious stimuli, this issue still needs further investigation. Our results also show that MQY has no effects on regulation of caspase-3 expression even after only term treatment.

It is well documented that the cellular Ca2+ concentration is highly related to cellular necrosis in response to I/R injury, and the mechanism for this process involves the restoration of oxygen, which enables ATP-generating capabilities to quickly recover ATP levels and the mitochondrial membrane potential. These changes regenerate the required ion gradient for more Ca2+ entry into the mitochondria, which causes the long-lasting opening of the MPTP, which is regulated by cyclophilin D, and mitochondrial swelling ultimately leads to cellular necrosis [58]. Thereafter, the increased ability of Ca2+ handling apparently reduces I/R-induced mitochondrial swelling and subsequently cellular necrosis. Our present study clearly demonstrated that Ca2+ handling proteins NCX1 and Serca2a are markedly down-regulated after I/R for one-week or one-month. Treatment with MQY significantly increase expressions of NCX1 and Serca2a, suggesting therapeutic effect of MQY may also be via regulation of Ca2+ handling proteins, which is concordance with previous observation [10,11,12].

Under stress conditions, autophagy is activated either to meet the increased requirements for repair and detoxication as a result of an exposure to various damaging factors or to produce energy and deliver building blocks for anabolic processes under starvation. To date, data consistently report that autophagy is protective under conditions of mild-to-moderate ischemia; however, the upregulation of autophagy can be either beneficial [59] or detrimental [35]. In the present study, we observed that Beclin-1 is up-regulated after one-week reperfusion, which is concordance with previous study that demonstrated reactive oxygen species mediating decline in lysosome-associated membrane protein-2 and upregulation of Beclin-1, thereafter impairs autophagosome clearance [35]. Our results show that MQY treatment for one-week do not significantly increase Beclin-1 and treatment for one-month with high dose markedly reduced Beclin-1 expression, suggesting MQY plays therapeutic effects may be through down-regulation of Beclin-1. However, we also observed that LC3-II expression is markedly down-regulated after I/R one-week and one-month. The reason for LC3-II down-regulation may be due to negative feedback in response to impaired autophaosome clearance after I/R. This issue also needs further investigation. Our present observation also shows that MQY had no effect on reduction of LC3-II expression.

Conclusions

In conclusion, our present observation demonstrates that MYQ have potential therapeutic effects on I/R-induced cardiac injury, which may be through regulation of apoptotic proteins, cytosolic Ca2+ handling proteins and autophagic proteins signal pathways.

Abbreviations

IR:

Ischemia-reperfusion

MYQ:

Modified Yi Qi decoction

NCX1:

Sodium calcium exchanger

Serca2a:

Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2 + −ATPase

References

  1. Mozaffarian D, Benjamin EJ, Go AS, Arnett DK, Blaha MJ, Cushman M, de Ferranti S, Despres JP, Fullerton HJ, Howard VJ, Huffman MD, Judd SE, Kissela BM, Lackland DT, Lichtman JH, Lisabeth LD, Liu S, Mackey RH, Matchar DB, McGuire DK, Mohler ER, 3rd, Moy CS, Muntner P, Mussolino ME, Nasir K, Neumar RW, Nichol G, Palaniappan L, Pandey DK, Reeves MJ, Rodriguez CJ, Sorlie PD, Stein J, Towfighi A, Turan TN, Virani SS, Willey JZ, Woo D, Yeh RW, Turner MB, American Heart Association Statistics C, Stroke Statistics S: Heart disease and stroke statistics--2015 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation 2015, 131:e29–322.

  2. Lopez AD, Murray CC. The global burden of disease, 1990-2020. Nat Med. 1998;4:1241–3.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Hausenloy DJ, Yellon DM. Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury: a neglected therapeutic target. J Clin Invest. 2013;123:92–100.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Murphy E, Steenbergen C. Mechanisms underlying acute protection from cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury. Physiol Rev. 2008;88:581–609.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. Jordan JE, Zhao ZQ, Vinten-Johansen J. The role of neutrophils in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Cardiovasc Res. 1999;43:860–78.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Fauconnier J, Roberge S, Saint N, Lacampagne A. Type 2 ryanodine receptor: a novel therapeutic target in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion. Pharmacol Ther. 2013;138:323–32.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Liu Q, Li J, Wang J, Li J, Janicki JS, Fan D. Effects and mechanisms of chinese herbal medicine in ameliorating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: eCAM. 2013;2013:925625.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Zhao FD, Dong JC, Xie JY: [Effects of Chinese herbs for replenishing shen and strengthening qi on some indexes of neuro-endocrino-immune network in asthmatic rats]. Zhongguo Zhong xi yi jie he za zhi Zhongguo Zhongxiyi jiehe zazhi = Chinese journal of integrated traditional and Western medicine/Zhongguo Zhong xi yi jie he xue hui, Zhongguo Zhong yi yan jiu yuan zhu ban 2007, 27:715–9.

  9. Jiang D, Wang X, Su Q, Jiang S, Yuan F, Zhang C, et al. Milkvetch root improves immune function in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD. Biomed Mater Eng. 2015;26(Suppl 1):S2113–21.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Meng D, Chen XJ, Bian YY, Li P, Yang D, Zhang JN. Effect of astragalosides on intracellular calcium overload in cultured cardiac myocytes of neonatal rats. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 2005;33:11–20.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Xu XL, Chen XJ, Ji H, Li P, Bian YY, Yang D, et al. Astragaloside IV improved intracellular calcium handling in hypoxia-reoxygenated cardiomyocytes via the sarcoplasmic reticulum ca-ATPase. Pharmacology. 2008;81:325–32.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Wang Y, Ji Y, Xing Y, Li X, Gao X. Astragalosides rescue both cardiac function and sarcoplasmic reticulum ca(2)(+) transport in rats with chronic heart failure. Phytotherapy Research: PTR. 2012;26:231–8.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Li JH, Du GJ, Liu WJ, Liu YH, Zhao B, Li H. [study on anti-tumor and anti-metastasis mechanism of alcohol extracts from pharbitidis semen against Lewis lung cancer]. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi =. China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica. 2014;39:879–84.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Feize W, Meng L, Yanni L, Yuan L, Liqun J, Tong L, et al. A randomized controlled study to observe the efficacy of external treatment with a traditional Chinese medicine herbal ointment on malignant plural effusion: outcome report and design review. Integrative Cancer Therapies. 2016;

  15. Fang RC, Tsai YT, Lai JN, Yeh CH, Wu CT. The traditional chinese medicine prescription pattern of endometriosis patients in taiwan: a population-based study. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: eCAM. 2012;2012:591391.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Yen HR, Chen YY, Huang TP, Chang TT, Tsao JY, Chen BC, et al. Prescription patterns of Chinese herbal products for patients with uterine fibroid in Taiwan: a nationwide population-based study. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015;171:223–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Lin GM, Chen YH, Yen PL, Chang ST. Antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activities of twig extract from Cinnamomum osmophloeum. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. 2016;6:281–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Feng S, Song L, Liu Y, Lai F, Zuo G, He G, et al. Hypoglycemic activities of commonly-used traditional Chinese herbs. The American journal of Chinese Medicine. 2013;41:849–64.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Guo DJ, Cheng HL, Chan SW, Yu PH. Antioxidative activities and the total phenolic contents of tonic Chinese medicinal herbs. Inflammopharmacology. 2008;16:201–7.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Choi HG, Je IG, Kim GJ, Choi H, Kim SH, Kim JA, et al. Anti-allergic inflammatory activities of compounds of amomi fructus. Nat Prod Commun. 2015;10:631–2.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Yeh LL, Liu JY, Liu YS, Lin KS, Tsai TF, Wang LH. Anemia-related hemogram, uterine artery pulsatility index, and blood pressure for the effects of four-agents-decoction (Si Wu tang) in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. J Altern Complement Med. 2009;15:531–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Wang Z, Shen L, Li X, Shu X, Shan B, Zhang L, et al. Painrelieving effect of a compound isolated from white peony root oral liquid on acute radiationinduced esophagitis. Mol Med Rep. 2013;7:1950–4.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Jin X, Zhang Y, Li Q, Zhao J. Mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of Kaiyu granule for depression. Neural Regen Res. 2013;8:3241–8.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  24. Feng L, Liu WK, Deng L, Tian JX, Tong XL: Clinical efficacy of aconitum-containing traditional Chinese medicine for diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine 2014, 42:109–117.

  25. Yin HQ, Wang B, Zhang JD, Lin HQ, Qiao Y, Wang R, et al. Effect of traditional Chinese medicine Shu-Mai-tang on attenuating TNFalpha-induced myocardial fibrosis in myocardial ischemia rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008;118:133–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Mak DH, Chiu PY, Dong TT, Tsim KW, Ko KM. Dang-Gui Buxue tang produces a more potent cardioprotective effect than its component herb extracts and enhances glutathione status in rat heart mitochondria and erythrocytes. Phytotherapy Research: PTR. 2006;20:561–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Yin H, Zhang J, Lin H, Qiao Y, Wang R, Lu H, et al. Effect of traditional Chinese medicine Shu-mai-tang on angiogenesis, arteriogenesis and cardiac function in rats with myocardial ischemia. Phytotherapy Research: PTR. 2009;23:92–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Wang XY, Qin F, Huang X, Zhang XY, Ren P, Zhao HW. [effects of Dan-Chuan-Hong decoction on myocardial apoptosis of acute myocardial ischemia in rats]. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai =. Journal of Chinese Medicinal Materials. 2009;32:725–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Chiu PY, Wong SM, Leung HY, Leong PK, Chen N, Zhou L, et al. Acute treatment with Danshen-Gegen decoction protects the myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion injury via the redox-sensitive PKCvarepsilon/mK(ATP) pathway in rats. Phytomedicine: international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. 2011;18:916–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Chiu PY, Leung HY, Leong PK, Chen N, Zhou L, Zuo Z, et al. Danshen-Gegen decoction protects against hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis by inhibiting mitochondrial permeability transition via the redox-sensitive ERK/Nrf2 and PKCepsilon/mKATP pathways in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology. 2012;19:99–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Zhang GX, Kimura S, Murao K, Obata K, Matsuyoshi H, Takaki M. Inhibition of cytochrome c release by 10-N-nonyl acridine orange, a cardiolipin-specific dye, during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion in the rat. Am J Phys Heart Circ Phys. 2010;298:H433–9.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Scarfo L, Ghia P. Reprogramming cell death: BCL2 family inhibition in hematological malignancies. Immunol Lett. 2013;155:36–9.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Mirzayans R, Andrais B, Kumar P, Murray D. The growing complexity of cancer cell response to DNA-damaging agents: caspase 3 mediates cell death or survival? Int J Mol Sci. 2016;17

  34. La Rovere RM, Roest G, Bultynck G, Parys JB. Intracellular Ca2+ signaling and Ca2+ microdomains in the control of cell survival, apoptosis and autophagy. Cell Calcium. 2016;

  35. Ma X, Liu H, Foyil SR, Godar RJ, Weinheimer CJ, Hill JA, et al. Impaired autophagosome clearance contributes to cardiomyocyte death in ischemia/reperfusion injury. Circulation. 2012;125:3170–81.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  36. Chiong M, Wang ZV, Pedrozo Z, Cao DJ, Troncoso R, Ibacache M, et al. Cardiomyocyte death: mechanisms and translational implications. Cell Death Dis. 2011;2:e244.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  37. Liu Y, Lin R, Zhang H, Zhang JY, Ji QL, Yang YJ: [Protective effect of Buyanghuanwu Decoction on myocardial ischemia induced by isoproterenol in rats]. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials 2009, 32:380–3.

  38. Han R, Tang F, Lu M, Xu C, Hu J, Mei M, et al. Protective effects of Astragalus polysaccharides against endothelial dysfunction in hypertrophic rats induced by isoproterenol. Int Immunopharmacol. 2016;38:306–12.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Dun C, Liu J, Qiu F, Wu X, Wang Y, Zhao Y, et al. Effects of Astragalus polysaccharides on memory impairment in a diabetic rat model. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2016;12:1617–21.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  40. Yi YE, Li SY, Nie YN, Jia DX, Zhang ZH, Wang YF, et al. Effect of astragalus injection on renal tubular epithelial transdifferentiation in type 2 diabetic mice. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016;16:222.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  41. Wang SF, Wang Q, Jiao LJ, Huang YL, Garfield D, Zhang J, et al. Astragalus-containing traditional Chinese medicine, with and without prescription based on syndrome differentiation, combined with chemotherapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a systemic review and meta-analysis. Curr Oncol. 2016;23:e188–95.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  42. Ma C, Bi K, Zhang M, Su D, Fan X, Ji W, et al. Toxicology effects of morning glory seed in rat: a metabonomic method for profiling of urine metabolic changes. J Ethnopharmacol. 2010;130:134–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Tsai JC, Tsai S, Chang WC. Comparison of two Chinese medical herbs, Huangbai and Qianniuzi, on influence of short circuit current across the rat intestinal epithelia. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004;93:21–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Lee TH, Choi JJ, Kim DH, Choi S, Lee KR, Son M, et al. Gastroprokinetic effects of DA-9701, a new prokinetic agent formulated with Pharbitis semen and corydalis tuber. Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology. 2008;15:836–43.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Kim KH, Ha SK, Choi SU, Kim SY, Lee KR. Bioactive phenolic constituents from the seeds of Pharbitis nil. Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 2011;59:1425–9.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Wang Q, Sun Y, Yang B, Wang Z, Liu Y, Cao Q, et al. Optimization of polysaccharides extraction from seeds of Pharbitis nil and its anti-oxidant activity. Carbohydr Polym. 2014;102:460–6.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Tung YT, Chua MT, Wang SY, Chang ST. Anti-inflammation activities of essential oil and its constituents from indigenous cinnamon (Cinnamomum osmophloeum) twigs. Bioresour Technol. 2008;99:3908–13.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Kumar G, Chauhan B, Ali M. Isolation and identification of new phytoconstituents from the fruit extract of Amomum Subulatum Roxb. Nat Prod Res. 2014;28:127–33.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Jafri MA. Farah, Javed K, Singh S: evaluation of the gastric antiulcerogenic effect of large cardamom (fruits of Amomum Subulatum Roxb). J Ethnopharmacol. 2001;75:89–94.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Wang JH, Shin JW, Choi MK, Kim HG, Son CG. An herbal fruit, Amomum Xanthoides, ameliorates thioacetamide-induced hepatic fibrosis in rat via antioxidative system. J Ethnopharmacol. 2011;135:344–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Zhu Y, Wang L, Yang Z, Wang J, Li W, Zhou J, et al. Hematopoietic effects of Paeoniflorin and Albiflorin on radiotherapy-induced myelosuppression mice. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2016;2016:5789381.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  52. Shen L, Li X, Shan B, Zhang L, Gong Y, Dong Z, et al. Therapeutic effect of compound of white Peony root oral liquids on radiation-induced esophageal toxicity via the expression of EGF and TGF-beta1. Biomedical Reports. 2013;1:308–14.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Wang Z, Shen L, Wang J, Shan B, Zhang L, Lu F, et al. Immunostimulatory effect of a composition isolated from white peony root oral liquid in the treatment of radiation-induced esophagitis. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine. 2013;6:1010–4.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  54. Hausenloy DJ, Yellon DM. Ischaemic conditioning and reperfusion injury. Nat Rev Cardiol. 2016;13:193–209.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Bulluck H, Yellon DM, Hausenloy DJ. Reducing myocardial infarct size: challenges and future opportunities. Heart. 2016;102:341–8.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Yellon DM, Hausenloy DJ. Myocardial reperfusion injury. N Engl J Med. 2007;357:1121–35.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Bagai A, Dangas GD, Stone GW, Granger CB. Reperfusion strategies in acute coronary syndromes. Circ Res. 2014;114:1918–28.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Whelan RS, Kaplinskiy V, Kitsis RN. Cell death in the pathogenesis of heart disease: mechanisms and significance. Annu Rev Physiol. 2010;72:19–44.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Hamacher-Brady A, Brady NR, Gottlieb RA. Enhancing macroautophagy protects against ischemia/reperfusion injury in cardiac myocytes. J Biol Chem. 2006;281:29776–87.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Not applicable.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81,270,316, 81,470,563,), the Research Program of Soochow University (Q413400111), and the Suzhou science and technology development projects (SYS201364, SYS201258, SYSD2012116).

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Authors’ contributions

XY performed the experiments, X-DZ conceived the project and performed the experiments, R-QB and J-YY analyzed the data, G-XZ and J-WC designed the protocol and prepared the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Ethics approval

The present study was approved by and performed according to guidelines for the care and use of animals established by Soochow University of Animal Care and Use Committee.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Author information

Author notes

    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Genetics, Medical College of Soochow University, 199 Ren-Ai Road, Dushu Lake Campus, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, 215123, People’s Republic of China

      Xiao Yu

    2. Department of Physiology, Medical College of Soochow University, 199 Ren-Ai Road, Dushu Lake Campus, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, 215123, People’s Republic of China

      Guo-Xing Zhang & Jing-Wei Chen

    3. Department of Internal Medicine, the Affiliated Suzhou Chinese Traditional Medicine Hospital, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 18 Yang-Su Road, Suzhou, 215003, People’s Republic of China

      Xiao-Dong Zhao, Rong-Qi Bao, Jia-Yu Yu & Jing-Wei Chen

    Authors
    1. Xiao Yu
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    2. Xiao-Dong Zhao
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    3. Rong-Qi Bao
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    4. Jia-Yu Yu
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    5. Guo-Xing Zhang
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    6. Jing-Wei Chen
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    Corresponding author

    Correspondence to Jing-Wei Chen.

    Rights and permissions

    Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.

    Reprints and Permissions

    About this article

    Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

    Cite this article

    Yu, X., Zhao, XD., Bao, RQ. et al. The modified Yi qi decoction protects cardiac ischemia-reperfusion induced injury in rats. BMC Complement Altern Med 17, 330 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-017-1829-6

    Download citation

    • Received:

    • Accepted:

    • Published:

    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-017-1829-6

    Keywords

    • Modified Yi qi decoction (MYQ)
    • Cardiac ischemia-reperfusion
    • Apoptosis
    • Calcium handling proteins
    • Autophagy

    BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies

    ISSN: 2662-7671

    Contact us