Citrus tangeretin reduces the oxidative stress of the myocardium, with the potential for reducing fatigue onset and myocardial damage

Abstract

Tangeretin is a polymethoxylated favone isolated from the peel of citrus fruits that possesses a broad spectrum of pharmacological functions. However, there has been limited information regarding tangeretin’s potential protective impact on the myocardium. As the myocardium is widely recognized as a potential target of oxidative stress induced by physical fatigue, this study aimed to assess tangeretin’s potential protective effects related to myocardial oxidative stress in fatigued mice. Using an intervention/control protocol on 5 groups of mice (N = 50; 1 control; 4 intervention; 4 week duration) with exhaustive swimming as the measured outcome, we found that tangeretin enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes, reduced the level of oxidative stress and injury, and protected myocardial morphology and ultrastructure. It was also found that tangeretin activated the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling axis to up-regulate the expression of phase II antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes. These findings suggest that tangeretin may impart beneficial effects by reducing physical fatigue-associated myocardial injury.

Keywords

• Tangeretin
• Oxidative stress
• Myocardial damage
• Keap1/Nrf2 signal axis