OBJECTIVETo observe the protective effect of Wufu Jingfang (WJ, containing Aconitum carmichaeli Debx, Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparatae, Rhizoma Pinelliae, and snakegourd fruit) on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R) of rats, thus exploring the feasibility of recipes containing eighteen incompatible pairs for specific pathological conditions.

METHODSFifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups, i.e., the sham-operative control group (the SH group), the I/R group, the low dose WJ I/R group (the I/R +JFL group), the middle dose WJ I/R group (the I/R +JFM group), the high dose WJ I/R group (the I/R +JFH group), 10 in each group. Rats in the latter three groups were administered with WJ at 0.75 mL/100 g, 1.50 mL/100 g, and 3.00 mL/100 g body weight for 14 consecutive days by gastrogavage. All groups except the SH group received ligation of left anterior descending branch of coronary artery for 30-min ischemia followed by 120-min reperfusion. The micro-structural changes of myocardial mitochondria were observed by transmission electron microscope. The ischemic cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected in each group using one-step terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL). The mRNA expressions of B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated x protein (Bax) were detected by RT-PCR. The activities of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) were detected using ELISA. The myocardial infarct size was detected.

RESULTSCompared with the I/R group, WJ pretreatment significantly suppressed the release of LDH and CK (Besides, the release of LDH and CK reduced along with increased dose.), reduced the myocardial infarct size, and lowered myocardial apoptosis index (P < 0.05). WJ pretreatment also modulated Bcl-2/Bax ratio by up-regulating Bcl-2 expression level while decreasing Bax expression level.

CONCLUSIONSWJ pretreatment might protect the heart from I/R injury via decreasing myocardial cell apoptosis. The results suggested that eighteen incompatible pairs is not absolute, but relative. Chinese medical preparation containing opposite Chinese herbs could be used in specific pathological states such as ischemic cardiomyopathy.