Kirenol Alleviates Inflammation and Oxidative Stress to Improve Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats

Ischemic heart disease gravely threatens human health and even results in death. Kirenol is predominantly derived from the Herba Siegesbeckiae plant species and possesses a wide range of biological effects (such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and cardioprotective). However, the regulatory effects and associated mechanisms of kirenol in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MI/RI) remain unclear. In this study, first, the MI/RI rat model was established. It was demonstrated that kirenol protected against the aggravation of cardiac function in MI/RI rats. In addition, the inflammation was induced by ischemia reperfusion (IR), which was likewise affected by kirenol (5 or 10 mg/kg). Moreover, IR enhanced oxidative stress, a process that was counteracted by kirenol. Next, cell apoptosis was discovered to be heightened after IR, but this effect was neutralized by kirenol. Finally, it was revealed that kirenol has the ability to block the activation of the NF-κB pathway. In conclusion, it was disclosed that kirenol alleviated inflammation and oxidative stress through modulating the NF-κB pathway to improve MI/RI in rats. This work may offer novel insights for searching useful drugs for treating MI/RI.