Objectives:

2

To investigate the protective effects of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (麝香通心滴丸

STP) on Na

2

S

2

O

4

-induced hypoxia-reoxygenation injury in cardiomyoblast H9c2 cells.

Methods:

2

The cell viability and levels of mRNA and protein expression in H9c2 cells were determined following Na

2

S

2

O

4

-induced hypoxia using Hoechst staining

annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) flow cytometry

real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis.

Results:

2

STP pretreatment significantly increased the viability and inhibited aberrant morphological changes in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells induced by Na

2

S

2

O

4

treatment (

P

<

0.05). In addition

STP pretreatment attenuated Na

2

S

2

O

4

-induced hypoxic damage

down-regulated the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax

and up-regulated the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 in H9c2 cells (

P

<

0.05).

Conclusions:

2

STP was strongly cardioprotective in hypoxia-reoxygenation injury by preventing hypoxic damage and inhibiting cellular apoptosis. These results further support the use of STP as an effective drug for the treatment of ischemic heart disease.