OBJECTIVETo observe the protective effect of alcohol extract of Potentilla anserina against myocardial apoptosis induced by acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion by arteria coronaria ligation and the effect on the expressions of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in myocardial apoptosis signal pathway.

METHODMale SD rats were randomly divided into the sham-operated group, the model group, the diltiazem group (30 mg x kg(-1)) and P. anserine alcohol extract intervention groups (0.9, 1.8, 3.6 g x kg(-1)). Rat acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion model was established by ligating left anterior descending. Apoptosis of myocardial cells were detected by TUNEL (Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay). The expressions of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 mRNA were assayed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Semi-quantitative analysis was made for the expressions of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTAccording to TUNEL results, after I/R injury-induced myocardial apoptosis, the apoptotic index (AI) of model group was (31.5 +/- 3.6)%. All P. anserine alcohol extract intervention groups showed obvious inhibition of ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial apoptosis. In the model group, myocardial apoptosis caused increased expression of Caspase-3, Caspase-9 mRNA and proteins. After the administration of P. anserine alcohol extract, 1.8, 3.6 g x kg(-1) dose groups showed notable decrease in Caspase-9 mRNA (P < 0.05), while the 0.9 g x kg(-1) dose group showed no significant difference with the model group. Alcohol extract of P. anserina in all dosages showed inhibitory effect on the expression of Caspase-3 mRNA in myocardial cells compared with model group (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed that administration of all dosages of alcohol extract of P. anserina could significantly reduce Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 protein expressions after I/R injury (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe administration with alcohol extract of P. anserina can protect the myocardial tissue from apoptosis after acute myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats and inhibit the expressions of Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 mRNA and proteins.