Protective effect of astragaloside IV on lipopolysaccharide-induced cardiac dysfunction via downregulation of inflammatory signaling in mice.

AbstractContext: Astragaloside IV (ASI) is a major and active saponin derivative of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch) Bge. The anti-inflammatory properties of ASI are important for its cardioprotective effects. However, the molecular mechanisms of the protective effect of ASI on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cardiac dysfunction is yet to be elucidated.Objective: This study was designed to investigate the therapeutic effects and possible mechanisms of ASI against LPS-induced septic cardiac dysfunction and inflammation in mice.Materials and methods: Mice were intraperitoneally injected with ASI (20 mg/kg) for 1 week before LPS challenge (10 mg/kg, i.p.). Left ventricular performance and morphology were analyzed using echocardiography 6 h after LPS induction. Activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum were measured and serum levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) were quantified by ELISA. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and I...