Abstract:

Abstract:Objective
To investigate the influence of apocynum venetum extract (AVE) on angiotensin Ang Ⅱ-induced myocardial fibrosis in rats and to clarify its mechanism of anti-myocardial fibrosis.Methods The rat cardiac fibroblasts were pretreated with Ang Ⅱ,and then treated with different concentrations of AVE (0.8,0.4 and 0.2 mol•L^-1) or valsartan 10-6 mg•L^-1.The expressions of hydroxyproline,collagen Ⅰ,Ⅲ （ColⅠ,ColⅢ） were detected to identify the model of myocardial fibrosis.The expressions of  raf,ERK and c-fos mRNA were determined by RT-PCR.The expression of ERK protein was measured by Western blotting.Results The models of myocardial fibrosis were established successfully.Compared with AngⅡ group,the over expressions of  hydroxyproline,ColⅠ and ColⅢ in AVE groups were significantly decreased（P<0.05 or P<0.01）.Compared with control group,the expressions of raf,ERK and c-fos were increased obviously in Ang Ⅱ group;compared with Ang Ⅱ group,the expressions of raf,ERK and c-fos mRNA and ERK protein in AVE groups were decreased（P<0.05 or P<0.01）.Conclusion ERK pathway plays an important role in the occurrence and development of mycardiol fibrosis regulated by AVE.

Key words: apocynum venetum extract;myocardial fibrosis;ERK pathway