Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Protective effect of huperzine A against isoproterenol-induced myocardial damage in rats via regulation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Lili Liu¹ , Fengnian Wang²

¹Department of Ultrasound, Xingtai People's Hospital, Xingtai, Hebei 054000; ²The Second Department of Surgery, Neiqiu People's Hospital, Xingtai, Hebei 054200, China.

For correspondence:- Lili Liu Email: 67464209@qq.com

Accepted: 21 April 2021 Published: 31 May 2021

Citation: Liu L, Wang F. Protective effect of huperzine A against isoproterenol-induced myocardial damage in rats via regulation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Trop J Pharm Res 2021; 20(5):953-959 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v20i5.10

© 2021 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the cardioprotective effect of huperzine A (Hup A) against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats.

Methods: Forty healthy male rats were divided into 4 groups. Control rats received only saline. Rats in Hup A group were injected with Hup A (0.5 mg/kg) only; ISO-treated MI rats were injected with ISO, while ISO + Hup A rats were pre-treated with Hup A prior to ISO exposure and again treated with Hup A. Lipid levels, antioxidant status, cardiac markers, as well as the proteins associated with the PI3k/Akt signaling pathway were determined.

Results: Pre- and post-treatment with Hup A resulted in marked reductions in cardiac markers, heart weight, lipid peroxidation product (MDA), and lipid levels, along with improved antioxidant enzyme activities (p < 0.01). Rats treated with Hup A displayed normal cardiac fibrillar structure, relative to ISO-treated rats. Furthermore, the protein expression levels of Akt and PI3k (pAkt/Akt and pPI3k/PI3k ratios) were significantly upregulated (p < 0.01) in Hup A treated rats.

Conclusion: Pre- and post-treatment of rats with Hup A exerted potent cardioprotective effect against ISO-induced cardiac failure in rats. Thus, Hup A can potentially be developed as adjuvant therapy in clinical practice for alleviating MI-related problems

Keywords: Myocardial infarction, Huperzine A, Lipid profile, Antioxidant, PI3k, Akt