Total flavonoids extracted from the leaves of Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack alleviate oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in a rat model of diabetic cardiomyopathy

The leaves of Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack were used as spices in China for many years. Flavonoids are the main components of it. However, no study has determined whether the total flavonoids of Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack (TFMP) has preventive effects on diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). The present study investigated the effect of TFMP on DCM. STZ was administered along with a high-fat diet to induce diabetes in rats. Parallel experiments were performed using H9c2 cells exposed to high glucose. Diabetic rats showed serious histological changes and increased levels of cardiac function markers. The markers of ROS, inflammation and apoptosis were also increased significantly, but the antioxidant defenses were decreased. Treatment with TFMP alleviated histological alteration in the myocardium. TFMP suppressed oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis. Our results demonstrate that the protective of TFMP on DCM is associated with increasing Nrf2 and HO-1 gene expression and inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis.