Gastrodin from Gastrodia elata attenuates acute myocardial infarction by suppressing autophagy: Key role of the miR-30a-5p/ATG5 pathway

Gatrodin is an active compound with cardio-protective potentials. In the current study, the mechanism underlying the effects of gastrodin was explored. Myocardial infarction was induced and handled with gastrodin. The role of miR-30a-5p and its downstream effector, ATG5, in the cardio-protective effects of gastrodin was verified. Gastrodin induced the dys-expresseion of 72 miRs in oxygen/glucose deprivation (OGD) cardiomyocytes and miR-30a-5p was selected as the potential therapeutic target. Gastrodin increased viability and suppressed autophagy in OGD cardiomyocytes, which was associated with the induction of miR-30a-5p and deactivation of ATG5. In rat models, gastrodin attenuated structure deterioration and dysfunction in heart, and suppressed autophagy. At molecular level, miR-30a-5p was induced and ATG5 were down-regulated. After the suppression of miR-30a-5p or the overexpression of ATG5, the cardio-protective effects of gastrodin were compromised. Gastrodin induced the expression of miR-30a-5p, which contributed to the attenuation of autophagy in infarcted heart tissues.