Salvianolic acid D: A potent molecule that protects against heart failure induced by hypertension via Ras signalling pathway and PI3K/Akt signalling pathway

Kai Chen; Yiqing Guan; Shaoyu Wu; Dongling Quan; Danni Yang; Huanxian Wu; Lin Lv; Guohua Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12337

Salvianolic acid D: A potent molecule that protects against heart failure induced by hypertension via Ras signalling pathway and PI3K/Akt signalling pathway

Heliyon. 2022 Dec 10;9(2):e12337. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12337. eCollection 2023 Feb.

Authors

Kai Chen^{1

2}, Yiqing Guan¹, Shaoyu Wu³, Dongling Quan³, Danni Yang³, Huanxian Wu³, Lin Lv³, Guohua Zhang¹

Affiliations

¹ School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, China.
² Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, China.
³ School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, China.

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Salvianolic acid D (Sal D) is a natural substance extracted from Radix Salviae that performs a cardiovascular benefit. However, the protective mechanism of Sal-D for heart failure remains uncertain.

Aim of the study: In this study, we aim to evaluate the effect of Sal D on heart failure and elucidate its underlying mechanisms.

Materials and methods: Using the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) as a cardiac remodelling model, the cardioprotective effect of Sal D was evaluated. Employing bioinformatics analysis, the related mechanisms of Sal D treatment on heart failure were identified and validated by Western blot and polymerase chain reaction.

Results: The results showed that Sal D significantly improved cardiac function and attenuated cardiac hypertrophy. Besides, Sal D impaired mitochondrial structure and restored the energy charge of cardiomyocytes managed by angiotensin II. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that Sal D might improve heart failure by modulating the Ras and PI3K/AKT signalling pathways verified in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusion: In summary, Sal D can improve the heart function of SHR by inhibiting the Ras signalling pathway and activating the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway.

Keywords: Cardiomyocyte; Heart failure; Hypertension; Mitochondrial; Salvianolic acid D.