A recent study published in Acta Materia Medica highlights the potential of Euphorbia neriifolia L. extract (JM04) as a treatment for heart failure, a condition with limited current therapies. Researchers screened 828 herbal extracts using an oxygen glucose deprivation injury model in H9c2 cardiomyocytes and identified JM04 as a promising candidate.
The study found that JM04 improved cell viability and reduced both lactate dehydrogenase release and reactive oxygen species accumulation in H9c2 cells and primary cardiomyocytes. In animal models, specifically mice with isoproterenol-induced heart failure, JM04 was shown to improve cardiac function and reduce myocardial fibrosis based on echocardiography and histological analysis.
Mechanistic investigations revealed that JM04 influences the Nrf2/ROS/HIF-1α axis by scavenging free radicals, activating the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway, restoring mTOR phosphorylation, and increasing HIF-1α expression. These actions collectively help protect against cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Additionally, UPLC-MS/MS analysis identified six active components within JM04 that align with network pharmacology predictions, supporting its multicomponent approach to targeting heart failure.
According to the authors: "Collectively, these findings demonstrated that JM04 exerts potent cardioprotective effects through integrated antioxidant and signaling modulation, and support its further development as a candidate botanical drug for HF intervention."
