Anti-apoptotic and pro-survival effects of longan flower extracts on rat hearts with fructose-induced metabolic syndrome

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of longan flower (LF) water extract on cardiac apoptotic and survival pathways in rat models of fructose-induced metabolic syndrome. The study findings revealed that the levels of glucose, insulin, triglyceride, and cholesterol and TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells were significantly increased in the HF group compared with the control group; whereas, the levels were decreased in the HFLF group. The expressions of Fas, FADD, and activated caspases 8 and 3, as well as the expressions of Bax, Bak, Bax/Bcl-2, Bak/Bcl-xL, cytosolic cytochrome c, and activated caspases 9 and 3 were increased in the HF group were significantly reversed in HFLF administrated group. Furthermore, LF extract increased IGF-1R, p-PI3K, p-Akt, Bcl-2, and Bcl-xL expression compared to HF group. Taken together, the present findings help identify LF as a potential cardioprotective agent that can be effectively used in treating fructose-induced metabolic syndrome. Copyright © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.