Ononin alleviates HO-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and improves cardiac function by activating the AMPK/mTOR/autophagy pathway.

Ononin (ON) is an isoflavone with numerous reported bioactivities, including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Autophagy is a critical homeostatic process in the body that has been reported to closely associate with the apoptotic processes of cardiomyocytes. Using flow cytometry, western blotting, echocardiography and Masson's staining, the present study investigated the effects of ON on HO-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and myocardial infarction, in addition to any potential underlying molecular mechanisms.