The effect of astragaloside IV on hemodynamic parameters in isolated rat hearts

Abstract

Astragaloside IV is a saponin derived from the root of the Astragalus membranasis plant. Astragaloside IV can be used in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, digestive diseases, cancer, and other common and high-risk diseases.

Objectives: There is little information about the cardiovascular mechanism of Astragaloside IV. In the present study, we tried to investigate the cardiac effects of astragaloside IV in isolated rat hearts far from systemic circulation.

Method: Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n=6 in each group) and then anesthetized. Isolated rat hearts mounted on a Langendorff apparatus at constant pressure and temperature. In the control group, the normal Krebs solution was perfused to the hearts. While test groups, after 15 min stabilization period, were perfused by enriched Krebs solution with astragaloside IV (0.1, 1, 2 μM). Hemodynamic parameters include left ventricular diastolic pressure (LVDP), heart rate (HR) and dp / dt max, dp / dt min, were recorded for 60 minutes.

Result: This study showed the change of hemodynamic parameters during whole period of experiment. As it is demonstrated in all groups, the parameters of HR, LVDP and max and min dP/dt had a declining trend over the experiment time. However there was no significant difference in Astragaloside IV receiving groups compared to control group.

Conclusion: The study of isolated heart perfused by Astragaloside IV showed no significant changes in hemodynamic factors compared to control group. Therefore, Astragaloside IV protective effects reffered in other studies, may be related to calcium balance, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties.