Honokiol blocks and reverses cardiac hypertrophy in mice by activating mitochondrial SIRT3

Honokiol (HKL) is a natural biphenolic compound derived from the bark of magnolia trees with anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-tumor and neuroprotective properties. Here we show that HKL blocks agonist-induced and pressure overload-mediated, cardiac hypertrophic responses, and ameliorates pre-existing cardiac hypertrophy, in mice. Our data suggest that the anti-hypertrophic effects of HKL depend on activation of the deacetylase SIRT3. We demonstrate that HKL is present in mitochondria, enhances SIRT3 expression nearly two-fold and suggest that HKL may bind to SIRT3 to further increase its activity. Increased SIRT3 activity is associated with reduced acetylation of mitochondrial SIRT3 substrates, MnSOD and OSCP. HKL-treatment increases mitochondrial rate of oxygen consumption and reduces ROS synthesis in wild-type, but not in SIRT3-KO cells. Moreover, HKL-treatment blocks cardiac fibroblast proliferation and differentiation to myofibroblasts in SIRT3-dependent manner. These results suggest that HKL is a pharmacological activator of SIRT3 capable of blocking, and even reversing, the cardiac hypertrophic response.