Targeting cell signaling and apoptotic pathways by luteolin: cardioprotective role in rat cardiomyocytes following ischemia/reperfusion

• Published in: Nutrients Vol. 4; no. 12; pp. 2008 - 2019
• Main Authors: Xu, Tongda, Li, Dongye, Jiang, Dehua
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 12.12.2012; MDPI
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Antioxidants - therapeutic use; apoptosis; Apoptosis - drug effects; cardiomyocytes; ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI); ischemia/reperfusion (I/R); luteolin; Luteolin - pharmacology; Luteolin - therapeutic use; mechanism; Myocardial Ischemia - drug therapy; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury - prevention & control; Myocytes, Cardiac - drug effects; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Review; Signal Transduction - drug effects
• ISSN: 2072-6643; 2072-6643
• DOI: 10.3390/nu4122008

Myocardial ischemia often results in damaged heart structure and function, which can be restored through ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in most cases. However, I/R can exacerbate myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI). Luteolin, a widely distributed flavonoid, a member of a group of naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds found in many fruits, vegetables and medicinal herbs, has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic activities. In recent years, luteolin has been shown to play an important role in the cardioprotection of IRI. However, its role and mechanism in cardioprotection against IRI has not been clearly elucidated with respect to the apoptosis pathway. The purpose of this paper is to review luteolin's anti-apoptotic role and mechanism following I/R in rats, and indicate luteolin as a potential candidate for preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases.