Acanthopanax senticosus Saponins Mitigate Left Ventricular Remodelling and Inhibit the Induction of MMP-2, MMP-9 in a Rat Model of Myocardial Infarction

Acute myocardial infarction can lead to ventricular remodelling, which affects ventricular function and survival prognosis. Therefore, improving ventricular remodelling has become a focus of research. This study aims to investigate the effect of <i>Acanthopanax senticosus</i> leaf saponins (ASS) on cardiac function and left ventricular remodelling in a rat model of myocardial infarction, and explore its potential mechanism. Coronary artery ligation was used to establish a rat model of myocardial infarction, and ASS was administered orally for 28 days. After 28 days, cardiac function was evaluated by hemodynamic detection, and the levels of myocardial enzymes, inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress and fibrosis-related factors were detected. The degree of fibrosis was evaluated by immunohistochemical detection of collagen I and collagen III deposition. The expression levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were checked by Western blot. Compared with the Sham group, the cardiac function of the Model group was significantly impaired, and ASS administration could improve this change. In addition, compared with the Model group, ASS significantly alleviated myocardial injury, reduced the release of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-β, improved the oxidative stress state, reduced the release of NT-propBNP, Ang II, ET-1 and inhibited myocardial fibrosis. Moreover, ASS could reduce the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9, and increase the expression level of TIMP-1. In conclusion, ASS may inhibit left ventricular remodelling by reducing the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9.