Erucin Alleviates Cardiac Hypertrophy by Improving Mitochondrial Function via Nrf2-Sirt3 Pathway

Numerous studies have documented erucin's anticancer and vasodilatory properties, yet its impact on pathological cardiac hypertrophy remains to be fully understood. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of erucin in cardiac hypertrophy induced by pressure overload. Cardiac hypertrophy was induced in mice by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) surgery, and in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes via phenylephrine (PE) treatment. Cardiac function and remodeling were evaluated using echocardiography, histological assessment, and molecular analyses. Mitochondrial function was assessed by measuring mitochondrial respiration, ATP concentration, the NAD+/NADH ratio, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Molecular docking was performed to identify erucin's downstream effector. Nrf2 and Sirt3 were silenced using siRNAs, and their activities were inhibited with ML385 and 3-TYP, respectively. Here, we found that erucin improved cardiac function and remodeling in TAC-induced hypertrophic mice, mitigated PE-induced cell hypertrophy, and restored mitochondrial function. Molecular docking analysis identified Nrf2 as a target protein of erucin. Erucin increased Nrf2 protein levels and activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway, which in turn promoted Sirt3 transcription. This effect was blocked by silencing Nrf2 or using ML385. Additionally, silencing Nrf2 and Sirt3 or using ML385 and 3-TYP abolished erucin's protective effects. This study is the first to demonstrate that erucin protects against cardiac hypertrophy by improving mitochondrial function through the activation of the Nrf2-Sirt3 pathway. Erucin may emerge as a promising therapeutic candidate for treating cardiac hypertrophy.