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Abstract: Purpose: To explore the effects of ethanolic extract of Radix Scrophulariae (EERS) on ventricular remodeling in rats. Methods: Rats with coronary artery ligation (CAL) were randomly assigned to 5 groups: CAL model; CAL plus 40mg/kg captopril; CAL plus 60mg/kg, 120mg/kg, 240mg/kg EERS. Sham operation rats were randomly assigned to 2 groups, sham-operated control and sham-operated plus 120mg/kg EERS. The rats were orally administered with the corresponding drugs or drinking water for 14weeks. The left ventricular weight index (LVWI) and heart weight index (HWI) were determined. Myocardium tissue was stained with hematoxylin and eosin or picric acid/Sirius red for cardiomyocyte cross-section area or collagen content measurements respectively. The concentrations of hydroxyproline (Hyp), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), angiotensin II (Ang II), aldosterone (ALD), endothelin 1 (ET-1), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and renin activity (RA) in myocardium or serum were determined. Real-time RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), ET-1 and ANP. Results: EERS could significantly reduce the LVWI and HWI, decrease heart tissue concentrations of Hyp and collagen deposition, diminish cardiomyocyte cross-section area, reduce the tissue level of Ang II, ET-1, ANP and TNF-α. EERS could also down regulate the mRNA expression of ACE, ET-1 and ANP in myocardium. Conclusion: EERS attenuates ventricular remodeling. The mechanisms may be related to restraining the excessive activation of RAAS, TNF-α and modulating some gene expressions associated with cardiac hypertrophy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aim: To compare the effects of crocetin and crocin on myocardial injury in rats. Methods: In vitro, the myocardial cells injured by low glucose and hypoxia were treated with serum from rats given crocetin (50 mg·kg−1) or crocin (150 mg·kg−1). The levels of LDH, CK, MDA and SOD in culture medium were measured and the cell activity was detected by MTT. In vivo, a rat myocardial ischemia model was set up using the coronary ligation technique. J point shift and T wave change in the electrocardiograph (ECG) in 6 hours after the treatment and area of myocardial infarction were assessed. The histopathological change of myocardium was observed by HE staining. The serum samples were collected to measure the levels of LDH and CK. Results: In vitro, serum containing crocetin decreased the levels of LDH, CK and MDA, increased the level of SOD and the activity of cardiac myocytes. However, serum containing crocin showed no significant protective effect. Compared to the model group, crocetin downshifted the J point and T wave in the ECG evaluation, decreased the levels of serum LDH and CK and the area of the myocardial infarction. Crocetin reduced the histopathological changes caused by myocardial injury. Conclusions: ig crocetin can significantly protect the injured myocardial cell both in vivo and in vitro while ig crocin can not. It suggests that crocetin by oral administration is suitable to cure myocardial ischemia in clinical practice, while crocin by oral administration is not. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]