Flavone from Zhongjiefeng(Herba Sarcandrae Glabrae) inhibits platelet apoptosis in immune-induced bone marrow failure through mitochondrial pathway

OBjECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Flavone from Zhongjiefeng(Herba Sarcandrae Glabrae) on the platelet number in immune-induced bone marrow failure(BMF) and its mechanism of mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.METHODS: Immune-induced BMF model, established in mice, was randomly divided into four groups: normal control group without BMF, BMF control group, cyclosporine(CSA) group and flavone group(n = 10 in each group). Mice were given0.027 g/kg cyclosporine or 0.2 g/kg flavone lavage daily in either the cyclosporine or flavone group respectively. Platelet count, mitochondrial transmembrane potential(ΔΨm), cytochrome C(Cyt C), phosphatidylserine(PS), changes of calcium ion(Ca^(2+)),and protein expression of mitochondrial apoptotic pathway including B-cell lymphoma-2(bcl-2) Homologous Antagonist-Killer Protein(Bak), bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 were examined and compared.RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, the BMF group had significantly lower levels of platelet count, ΔΨm, and expressions of caspase family proteins as well as higher levels of Cyt C, PS,Ca^(2+), and expressions of Bak and Bax(all P < 0.05).Compared with the BMF group, the CSA and flavone groups had significantly higher ΔΨm and expressions of caspase family proteins(all P < 0.05)whereas the levels of Cyt C, PS, Ca^(2+), and expressions of Bak and Bax were reduced(all P < 0.05).More importantly, the flavone group had higher levels of Cyt C, Ca^(2+)and expressions of Bak and Bax compared with the CSA group(all P < 0.05), while the levels of PS and caspase family proteins were reduced(all P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Flavone from Zhongjiefeng(Herba Sarcandrae Glabrae) significantly increases the platelet number and prevents its apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway.