4-Guanidino-n-butyl Syringate (Leonurine, SCM 198) Protects H9c2 Rat Ventricular Cells From Hypoxia-induced Apoptosis

In the present study, we examined the ability of it chemically synthesized compound based oil the structure of leonurine, a phytochemical component of Herba leonuri, to protect H9c2 rat ventricular cells from apoptosis induced by hypoxia and serum deprivation, as it model of ischemia. The results revealed a concentration-dependent increase in cell viability associated with leonurine treatment, accompanied by a consistent decline ill lactate dehydrogenase leakage into the culture medium. The fraction of annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate-positive cells was increased by hypoxia but reduced by leonurine. These changes were associated with increased expression of the antiapoptotic gene, Bcl-2, and reduced expression of the proapoptotic gene, Bax. Leonurine also reduced the cytosolic Ca2+ overload induced by hypoxia. These results suggest that leonurine elicits potent cardioprotective effects in H9c2 cells, and these effects may be mediated by inhibition of intracellular Ca2+ overload and apoptosis during hypoxia.