Frontiers in Pharmacology (Jul 2018)

Ligustrazine Exerts Cardioprotection in Animal Models of Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury: Preclinical Evidence and Possible Mechanisms

  • Qun Zheng,
  • Yue-yue Huang,
  • Peng-chong Zhu,
  • Qiang Tong,
  • Xiao-yi Bao,
  • Qi-hao Zhang,
  • Guo-qing Zheng,
  • Yan Wang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2018.00729
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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Ligustrazine (Lig) is one of the main effective components of Ligusticum Chuanxiong Hort, which possesses a variety of biological activities in the cardiovascular system. Here, we conducted a preclinical systematic review to investigate the efficacy of Lig for animal models of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury and its possible mechanisms. Twenty-five studies involving 556 animals were identified by searching 6 databases from inception to August 2017. The methodological quality was assessed by using Collaborative Approach to Meta-Analysis and Review of Animal Data from Experimental Studies (CAMARADES) 10-item checklist. All the data were analyzed using Rev-Man 5.3 software. As a result, the score of study quality ranged from 2 to 6 points. Meta-analyses showed Lig can significantly decrease the myocardial infarct size, cardiac enzymes and troponin compared with control (P < 0.01). The possible mechanisms of Lig for myocardial infarction are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptosis activities and improving coronary blood flow and myocardial metabolism. In conclusion, the findings indicated that Lig exerts cardio protection through multiple signaling pathways in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.

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