Ginsenoside Rb3 regulates energy metabolism and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes via activating PPARα pathway

Heart failure (HF) leads to an increase in morbidity and mortality globally. Disorders of energy metabolism and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes are critically involved in the progression of HF. Ginsenoside Rb3 (G-Rb3) is a natural product derived from ginseng that has cardio-protective effect. The pharmacological mechanism of G-Rb3 in the treatment of HF remains to be clarified. In this study, we aimed to explore the regulative effects of G-Rb3 on fatty acids oxidation and apoptosis by in vivo and in vitro studies. Myocardial infarction (MI)-induced HF mice model and a cellular H9C2 injury model was induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) stimulation. The results showed that G-Rb3 could protect heart functions in MI-induced HF model. G-Rb3 treatment up-regulated expressions of key enzymes involved in β-oxidation of fatty acids, including carnitine palmitoyltransterase-1α (CPT-1α), acyl-CoA dehydrogenase long chain (ACADL) and the major mitochondrial deacetylase enzyme sirtuin 3 (SIRT3). The upstream transcriptional regulator, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), was also up-regulated by G-Rb3 treatment. In vitro study demonstrated that G-Rb3 could protect mitochondrial membrane integrity and exert anti-apoptotic effects, in addition to regulating fatty acids oxidation. Impressively, after cells were co-treated with PPARα inhibitor, the regulative effects of G-Rb3 on energy metabolism and apoptosis were abrogated. Our study suggests that G-Rb3 is a promising agent and PPARα is potential target in the management of HF.