Puerarin inhibits angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy via the redox-sensitive ERK1/2, p38 and NF-κB pathways

Aim: To investigate the effects of puerarin (Pue), an isoflavone derived from Kudzu roots, on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes in vivo and in vitro. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were infused with Ang II and treated with Pue (100 mg.kg(-1).d(-1), po) for 15 d. After the treatment, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and left ventricular wall thickness were assessed. The ratios of heart weight to body weight (HW/BW) and left ventricular weight to body weight (LVW/BW) were determined, and heart morphometry was assessed. Expression of fetal-type genes (ANP, BNP and beta-MHC) in left ventricles was measured using semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Mouse primary cardiomyocytes were treated with Pue (50, 100, 200 mu mol/L), then exposed to Ang II (1 mu mol/L). ROS level was examined with flow cytometry, the binding activity of NF-kappa B was determined using EMSA. Western blot was used to measure the levels of ERK1/2, p38 and NF-kappa B pathway proteins. [H-3] leucine incorporation was used to measure the rate of protein synthesis. Results: Oral administration of Pue significantly suppressed Ang II-induced increases in the myocyte surface area, HW/BW, LVW/BW, SBP and left ventricular wall thickness. Furthermore, Pue significantly suppressed Ang II-induced increases in ANP, BNP and beta-MHC expression in the left ventricles in vivo. Treatment of cardiomyocytes with Pue (50-500 mu mol/L) did not affect the viability of cardiomyocytes in vitro. Pretreatment of cardiomyocytes with Pue dose-dependently inhibited Ang II-induced increases in ROS production, NF-kappa B binding activity, protein synthesis and cell breadth. Furthermore, pretreatment with Pue significantly suppressed Ang II-induced activation of ERK1/2, p38 and the NF-kappa B pathway proteins and the expression of ANP and beta-MHC in cardiomyocytes. The positive drug valsartan exerted similar effects on Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy in vivo and in vitro. Conclusion: Pue attenuates Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting activation of the redox-sensitive ERK1/2, p38 and the NF-kappa B pathways.