The cardioprotective and antiarrhythmic effects of Nardostachys chinensis in animal and cell experiments

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of premature death throughout the world. An estimated 17.5 million people died from CVD in 2012, representing 31% of all global deaths. Nardostachys chinensis (NC), a typical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), plays a crucial role in the management of patients with CVD, especially for those with cardiac arrhythmia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cardioprotective and antiarrhythmic effects of NC in animal and cell experiments. METHODS: To review the cardioprotective and antiarrhythmic effects of NC, studies of NC on cardiovascular diseases in animal and cell experiments were identified from five databases through April 2016. Two investigators independently conducted the literature search, study selection, and data extraction. RESULTS: A total of 16 studies were identified, including five animal experiments and eleven cell experiments. Four studies showed significant effects of NC on myocardial protection by inhibiting myocardial apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress. Twelve studies indicated significant beneficial effects of NC in cardiac arrhythmia primarily through the modulation of ion channels (I(k), I(k1), I(Na), I(Ca-L), I(to)). CONCLUSION: The above findings showed the possible efficacy of NC via its cardioprotective and antiarrhythmic effects, but the results should be interpreted with caution due to the limitations and the deficiencies in the studies.