Original Research
DOI DOI: 10.65239/botanicaldrugs.2026.05

Astragaloside A Attenuates Oxaliplatin-Induced Cardiotoxicity, Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis, and Calcium Overload in H9c2 Cardiomyoblasts

Ziheng He1, Peng Cao1, Wenyu Lin1, Guoping Xu2, Xueting Cai3, Qian Zhou3, Yali Liu1
  1. 1 State Key Laboratory of Technologies for Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process Control and Intelligent Manufacture, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China.
  2. 2 Zhongke Health Industry Group Corp., Ltd., Nanjing, China.
  3. 3 Jiangsu Provincial Medical Innovation Center, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China.

Abstract

Background: Oxaliplatin is a widely used platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent, and its cardiotoxicity remains an important safety concern during cancer treatment. Astragalus-derived saponins have been reported to exert cardioprotective effects; however, the specific active constituent responsible for protecting against oxaliplatin-induced myocardial injury has not been identified.

Methods: Several Astragalus saponins and related constituents were screened in oxaliplatin-treated H9c2 cardiomyoblasts. The lead compound was then evaluated in concentration-response experiments for protective efficacy and cytocompatibility. Oxidative stress, apoptosis, caspase-3 activation, calcium overload, and NCX-1 expression were assessed to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Results: Astragaloside A emerged as the most effective compound for restoring cell viability; at 1 and 2 μM, it significantly attenuated oxaliplatin-induced H9c2 cell injury without detectable cytotoxicity. Mechanistically, astragaloside A reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation, inhibited early and late apoptosis, decreased cleaved caspase-3 expression, alleviated oxaliplatin-induced calcium overload, and increased NCX-1 expression — consistent with enhanced calcium extrusion.

Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that astragaloside A protects H9c2 cardiomyoblasts against oxaliplatin-induced cardiotoxicity by suppressing oxidative stress, apoptosis, and calcium dysregulation. The results support further investigation of astragaloside A as a cardioprotective candidate in oxaliplatin-induced cardiotoxicity.

How to Cite

1.
He Z, Cao P, Lin W, Xu G, Cai X, Zhou Q, et al. Astragaloside A Attenuates Oxaliplatin-Induced Cardiotoxicity, Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis, and Calcium Overload in H9c2 Cardiomyoblasts. Botanical Drugs [Internet]. 2026 May 15 [cited 2026 Jul. 12];1:62-74. Available from: https://botanicaldrugs.org/index.php/pub/article/view/14
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