Cryptotanshinone, a lipophilic compound of Salvia miltiorrriza root, inhibits TNF-α-induced expression of adhesion molecules in HUVEC and attenuates rat myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in vivo

Abstract The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of cryptotanshinone (CTS), one of active ingredients of Salvia miltiorrhiza root, on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat due to inhibition of some inflammatory events that occur by NF-kB-activation during ischemia and reperfusion. Myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury was induced by occluding the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min followed by either 2 h (biochemical analysis) or 24 h (myocardial function and infarct size measurement) reperfusion. CTS injected ( i.v. ) 10 min before ischemia and reperfusion insult. CTS significantly reduced the infarct size and improved ischemia and reperfusion-induced myocardial contractile dysfunction. Furthermore, CTS inhibited NF-kB translocation, expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), neutrophil infiltration and MPO activity in ischemic myocardial tissues. CTS also significantly reduced plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-1β due to ischemia and reperfusion. Interestingly, H 2 O 2 -stimulated NF-kB-luciferase activity and TNF-α-induced expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expressions in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were significantly inhibited by CTS. Taken together, it is concluded that CTS may attenuate ischemia and reperfusion-induced microcirculatory disturbances by inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine production, reduction of neutrophil infiltration and possibly inhibition of adhesion molecules through inhibition of NF- k B-activation during ischemia and reperfusion.