Madecassoside suppresses LPS-induced TNF-α production in cardiomyocytes through inhibition of ERK, p38, and NF-κB activity

Madecassoside (MA) is a major triterpenoid component of Centella asiatica that has a wide range of biological activities, including wound-healing and antioxidative activities. In the present study, we evaluated the therapeutic effect of MA on rat cardiac dysfunction during sepsis induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as well as the possible mechanism. Pretreatment of the neonatal rat cardiomyocytes with MA inhibited LPS-induced TNF-α production in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, pretreatment of the rats with MA (20 mg/kg, i.g.) significantly inhibited the elevation of plasma TNF-α, delayed the fall of mean arterial blood pressure, and attenuated the tachycardia induced by LPS. We further observed that MA prevented the LPS-induced nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) translocation from the cytoplasm into the nucleus, and inhibited the LPS-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38. These results suggest that MA inhibits LPS-stimulated TNF-α production through the blocking of ERK1/2, p38 and NF-κB pathways in cardiomyocytes. MA may have cardioprotective effects in LPS-mediated sepsis.