Herbal formula Xinshuitong capsule exerts its cardioprotective effects via mitochondria in the hypoxia-reoxygenated human cardiomyocytes

Background The collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) resulted in the cell apoptosis and heart failure. Xinshuitong Capsule (XST) could ameliorate left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes and the quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure in our clinical study, however, its cardioprotective mechanisms remain unclear. Methods Primary human cardiomyocytes were subjected to hypoxia-reoxygenation and treated with XST200, 400 and 600 μg/ml. The model group was free of XST and the control group was cultured in normal conditions. Cell viability, ΔΨm, the activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes, ATPase activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis cells were determined in all the groups. Results The cell viability in the XST-treated groups was significantly higher than that in the model group (P