Open Access

The aqueous extract of Gentianella acuta improves isoproterenol‑induced myocardial fibrosis via inhibition of the TGF‑β1/Smads signaling pathway

  • Authors:
    • Hong‑Xia Yang
    • Geng‑Rui Xu
    • Chuang Zhang
    • Jia‑Huan Sun
    • Yue Zhang
    • Jun‑Na Song
    • Yun‑Feng Li
    • Yu Liu
    • Ai‑Ying Li
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: November 21, 2019     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2019.4410
  • Pages: 223-233
  • Copyright: © Yang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Gentianella acuta (G. acuta) is one of the most commonly used herbs in Chinese Mongolian medicine for the treatment of heart disease. Previously, it was found that G. acuta ameliorated cardiac function and inhibited isoproterenol (ISO)‑induced myocardial fibrosis in rats. In this study, the underlying anti‑fibrotic mechanism of G. acuta was further elucidated. Histopathological changes in the heart were observed by hematoxylin‑eosin, Masson trichrome and wheat germ agglutinin staining. Relevant molecular events were investigated using immunohistochemistry and western blotting. The results revealed that G. acuta caused improvements in myocardial injury and fibrosis. G. acuta also inhibited collagens I and III and α‑smooth muscle actin production in heart tissue. G. acuta downregulated the expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‑β1) and notably inhibited the levels of phosphorylation of TGF‑β receptors I and II. Furthermore, G. acuta caused downregulation of the intracellular mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (Smads)2 and 4 expression and inhibited Smads2 and 3 phosphorylation. The results further demonstrated that the mechanism underlying anti‑myocardial fibrosis effects of G. acuta was based upon the suppression of the TGF‑β1/Smads signaling pathway. Therefore, G. acuta may be a potential therapeutic agent for ameliorating myocardial fibrosis.
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January-2020
Volume 45 Issue 1

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Yang HX, Xu GR, Zhang C, Sun JH, Zhang Y, Song JN, Li YF, Liu Y and Li AY: The aqueous extract of Gentianella acuta improves isoproterenol‑induced myocardial fibrosis via inhibition of the TGF‑β1/Smads signaling pathway. Int J Mol Med 45: 223-233, 2020
APA
Yang, H., Xu, G., Zhang, C., Sun, J., Zhang, Y., Song, J. ... Li, A. (2020). The aqueous extract of Gentianella acuta improves isoproterenol‑induced myocardial fibrosis via inhibition of the TGF‑β1/Smads signaling pathway. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 45, 223-233. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2019.4410
MLA
Yang, H., Xu, G., Zhang, C., Sun, J., Zhang, Y., Song, J., Li, Y., Liu, Y., Li, A."The aqueous extract of Gentianella acuta improves isoproterenol‑induced myocardial fibrosis via inhibition of the TGF‑β1/Smads signaling pathway". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 45.1 (2020): 223-233.
Chicago
Yang, H., Xu, G., Zhang, C., Sun, J., Zhang, Y., Song, J., Li, Y., Liu, Y., Li, A."The aqueous extract of Gentianella acuta improves isoproterenol‑induced myocardial fibrosis via inhibition of the TGF‑β1/Smads signaling pathway". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 45, no. 1 (2020): 223-233. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2019.4410