Abstract
Ginkgetin, the extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves, has been reported to exert preventive and therapeutic effects on cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about its role in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI). The present study aimed to unveil the function of ginkgetin in cardiomyocytes subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) was employed to evaluate the impact of ginkgetin on cell viability in the absence or presence of H/R. Proinflammatory cytokines and malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (SOD), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined via corresponding kits. In addition, flow cytometry was performed to detect apoptotic level. Western blot analysis was utilized to estimate caspase-3 and cytochrome C. Ginkgetin had no significant effect on cell viability; however, it could enhance viability of H9C2 cells exposed to H/R. Inflammation and oxidative stress induced by H/R injury were relieved via pretreatment with ginkgetin. Preconditioning of ginkgetin also decreased apoptotic rate and the protein levels of caspase-3, cytochrome C under H/R condition. Furthermore, 2-HBA, an inducer of caspase-3, was used for the activation of caspase-3 signaling pathway. It was found that induction of caspase-3 eliminated the protective effect of ginkgetin on H9C2 cells exposed to H/R. These results indicated that ginkgetin attenuated inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. These protective roles of ginkgetin may attribute to caspase-3 dependent pathway.