OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of protective effects of salvianolic acids and Panax notoginseng saponins and their combination on cardiomyocytes suffered with hypoxia-reoxygenation (HR) injury.

METHODHR-injured H9c2 cell was employed as cellular model to evaluate cardioprotective effects of salvianolic acids, P. notoginseng saponins and their combination. The viability of cells was determined by MT assay, while the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was also determined. Apoptosis of cells was monitored by staining with Hoechst 33342 fluorescent, and was further evaluated by flow cytometry. Immunoblot analysis of apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 was performed. Moreover, content of Na+, K(+)-ATPase, Ca2+, Mg2(+)-ATPase, and ATP were analyzed.

RESULTSalvianolic acids (0.05-0.5 mg x L(-1)) and P. notoginseng saponins (5-50 mg x L(-1)) have synergistic protective effects on cardiomyocytes with hypoxia-reoxygenation injury in a dose-dependent manner. Both salvianolic acids and P. notoginseng saponins can reduce hypoxia and reoxygenation-induced myocardial apoptosis and improve the energy metabolism in cardiomyocytes. Moreover, the combined use of salvianolic acids and P. notoginseng saponins exerts synergistic effects.

CONCLUSIONSalvianolic acids compatibility with P. notogiriseng saponins can protect cardiomyocytes during hypoxia and reoxygenation injury by inhibiting apoptosis and improving energy metabolism.