OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Panax notoginsenoside (PNS) on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) expressions in rats with post-myocardial infarction ventricular remodeling and explore the mechanism.

METHODSRat models of acute infarction ventricular (AMI) were established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Twenty-four hours after the operation, the rats were randomized into control and experimental groups for intragastric administration of normal saline (control), fosinopril and PNS at the low, medium and high doses for 4 consecutive weeks. The effects of PNS on the cardiac function index including the left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVIDd), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVIDs), ejection fraction (EF), percentage of left ventricular systole (FS), mitral early diastolic flow velocity mouth (MV), and heart rate (HR) were observed, and the changes in TNF-alpha and MMP-2 expression were detected after post-myocardial infarction ventricular remodeling.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, PNS at the medium and high doses produced significant improvements in the EF, FS and MV of the rats (P<0.01 or 0.05). TNF-alpha and MMP-2 expressions were significantly decreased by PNS treatment at low, medium and high doses (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONPNS can inhibit or reduce the expression of TNF-alpha and MMP-2, thereby enhancing left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions, decreasing peripheral resistance, and improving the cardiac function of rats with post-myocardial infarction left ventricular remodeling.