Honokiol alleviates sepsis-associated cardiac dysfunction via attenuating inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress

Objective Honokiol, a natural active compound extracted from Chinese herbal medicine, can ameliorate acute lung and kidney injury of sepsis. This study was to explore the effects of honokiol on sepsis-associated cardiac dysfunction and the underlying mechanism. Methods Septic mice were induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and septic HL-1 or AC16 cells were induced by LPS. Results Honokiol improved the survival and alleviated cardiac dysfunction in mice with CLP-induced sepsis. Honokiol inhibited the increased interleukin (IL) 1-beta, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in the serum and heart of CLP- and LSP-induced septic mice. Honokiol treatment reversed the increased levels of IL1-beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in LPS-induced HL-1 cells. Honokiol treatment also decreased the elevated levels of IL1-beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in LPS-induced AC16 cells. The increased cardiac apoptosis in CLP- and LPS-induced septic mice was alleviated by honokiol. The enhancement of oxidative stress in the heart of CLP- and LPS-induced septic mice was suppressed after honokiol administration. Conclusion These results showed that honokiol could ameliorate sepsis-associated cardiac dysfunction via attenuating inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Honokiol is a prospective drug for sepsis-associated heart damage in the future.