Objective: To evaluate the beneficial effects of hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) on monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in rats, and to investigate the main pathophysiological mechanism of HSYA in preventing development of MCT-induced PAH.
Methods: Four groups (control, control with HSYA treatment, MCT-exposed, and MCT-exposed with HSYA treatment) were evaluated at day 28 following MCT exposure. Haemodynamic measurements, right ventricular hypertrophy, morphometry, inflammatory cytokines and oxidant expression were assessed.
Results: HSYA significantly reduced haemodynamic changes, right ventricular hypertrophy and morphometric changes induced by exposure to MCT. HYSA also suppressed MCT-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in rat pulmonary tissue.
Conclusions: Experimental MCT-induced PAH may be reduced by HSYA treatment, and the mechanism may involve suppression of inflammation and oxidative stress.
Keywords: Chinese medicine; hydroxysafflor; inflammation; monocrotaline; oxidant; pulmonary artery hypertension; safflower.
© The Author(s) 2016.