Anshen Buxin Liuwei Pill, a Mongolian Medicinal Formula, Could Protect H(2)O(2)-Induced H9c2 Myocardial Cell Injury by Suppressing Apoptosis, Calcium Channel Activation, and Oxidative Stress

BACKGROUND: Anshen Buxin Liuwei pill (ABLP) is a Mongolian medicinal formula which has a therapeutic effect on the symptoms such as coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, depression and irritability, palpitation, and short breath. However, its bioactivity against cardiac injury remains unclear. METHODS: The protective effect of ABLP was evaluated using H9c2 cells. Cell viability, intracellular Ca(2+), reactive oxidative indices, and mitochondrial membrane potential (∆ψ) were assessed, respectively. The mRNA levels of Ca(2+) channel-related genes (DHPR, RyR2, and SCN5A) and oxidative stress-related genes (Keap1, Nrf2, and HO-1) were measured by RT-PCR. RESULTS: 0.5–50 μg/mL ABLP could significantly decrease H(2)O(2)-induced cell injury by suppressing cell necrosis/apoptosis and excess oxidative stress, ameliorating the collapse of ∆ψ, and reducing intracellular Ca(2+) concentration. Furthermore, 0.5–50 μg/mL ABLP reversed H(2)O(2)-induced imbalance in the mRNA levels of DHPR, RyR2, SCN5A, Keap1, Nrf2, and HO-1 gene in H9c2 cells, which further illustrate the mechanism. CONCLUSION: ABLP provided protective and therapeutic benefits against H(2)O(2)-induced H9c2 cell injury, indicating that this formula can effectively treat coronary disease. In addition, the present study also provides an in-depth understanding of the pharmacological functions of ABLP, which may lead to further successful applications of Mongolian medicine.