Echinochrome A protects mitochondrial function in cardiomyocytes against cardiotoxic drugs

Mar Drugs. 2014 May 13;12(5):2922-36. doi: 10.3390/md12052922.

Abstract

Echinochrome A (Ech A) is a naphthoquinoid pigment from sea urchins that possesses antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and chelating abilities. Although Ech A is the active substance in the ophthalmic and cardiac drug Histochrome®, its underlying cardioprotective mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the protective role of Ech A against toxic agents that induce death of rat cardiac myoblast H9c2 cells and isolated rat cardiomyocytes. We found that the cardiotoxic agents tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP, organic reactive oxygen species (ROS) inducer), sodium nitroprusside (SNP; anti-hypertension drug), and doxorubicin (anti-cancer drug) caused mitochondrial dysfunction such as increased ROS level and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. Co-treatment with Ech A, however, prevented this decrease in membrane potential and increase in ROS level. Co-treatment of Ech A also reduced the effects of these cardiotoxic agents on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and adenosine triphosphate level. These findings indicate the therapeutic potential of Ech A for reducing cardiotoxic agent-induced damage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cardiotonic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cardiotoxins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Cardiotoxins / toxicity
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / drug effects
  • Mitochondria, Heart / drug effects*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / drug effects*
  • Naphthoquinones / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Sea Urchins

Substances

  • Cardiotonic Agents
  • Cardiotoxins
  • Naphthoquinones
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • echinochrome A