Promoting cardioprotection with fenugreek: Insights from CoCl(2)-induced hypoxia in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes

OBJECTIVE(S): This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of fenugreek on CoCl(2)-induced hypoxia in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary cardiomyocytes were isolated from Sprague Dawley rats aged 0–2 days and incubated with various concentrations of fenugreek (10-320 µg/ml) and CoCl(2)-induced hypoxia for different durations (24, 48, and 72 hr). Cell viability, calcium signaling, beating rate, and gene expression were evaluated. RESULTS: Fenugreek treatments did not cause any toxicity in cardiomyocytes. At a concentration of 160 µg/ml for 24 hr, fenugreek protected the heart against CoCl(2)-induced hypoxia, as evidenced by reduced expression of caspases (-3, -6, -8, and -9) and other functional genes markers, such as HIF-1α, Bcl-2, IP3R, ERK5, and GLP-1r. Calcium signaling and beating rate were also improved in fenugreek-treated cardiomyocytes. In contrast, CoCl(2) treatment resulted in up-regulation of the hypoxia gene HIF-1α and apoptotic caspases gene (-3, -9, -8, -12), and down-regulation of Bcl-2 activity. CONCLUSION: Fenugreek treatment at a concentration of 160 µg/ml was not toxic to neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and protected against CoCl(2)-induced hypoxia. Furthermore, fenugreek improved calcium signaling and beating rate and altered gene expression. Fenugreek may be a potential therapeutic agent for promoting cardioprotection against hypoxia-induced injuries.