Danshen has been widely used in the treatment of
cardiovascular diseases while
Danshensu [3(3,4dihydroxyphenyl) 2 hydroxy
propanoic acid, DSS], a major water-soluble component of Danshen has also been explored as an important compound in Danshen. In the present study, DSS was tested in isolated rat hearts of
ischemia reperfusion (I/R) model to investigate its cardioprotective activity and explore the potential molecular mechanism against oxidative stress. The isolated rat hearts were used to perform global
ischemia for 30 min, followed by 30 min reperfusion. DSS significantly decreased the level of the marker
enzymes (
creatine kinase and
lactate dehydrogenase) from the coronary effluents and
myocardial infarction size. This could markedly contribute to the recovery of cardiac function after I/R injury. DSS also had ROS scavenging activity and boosted
endogenous antioxidants such as SOD, CAT, MDA, GSH-PX and HO-1 activities by activating nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway which was mediated by Akt and ERK1/2 in western blot analysis. Our results demonstrated a cardioprotective effect of DSS on isolated heart against oxidative stress during I/R injury. This mechanism might be related to the enhancement of
antioxidant defense system by activating Akt/ERK1/2/Nrf2 signaling pathways. This work could provide experimental evidence in treating
cardiovascular disease by the use of
traditional Chinese medicine particularly in
myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury.