ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the molecular mechanism of Wenxin Capsule (WXC, an effective Chinese composite drug) in preventing and treating myocardial ischemia of coronary heart disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rat model of myocardial ischemia was established by subcutaneous multi-point injecting isoproterenol. Effect of WXC on cell apoptosis was observed by transmission electron microscopy and TUNEL method, and its effect on apoptotic related gene Bcl-2 and Fas gene protein expression was observed by immunohistochemical method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Isoproterenol induced myocardial ischemic injury could cause evident cardial cell apoptosis, obvious enhance Fas gene protein expression and mild enhance Bcl-2 gene protein expression. WXC could significantly down-regulate Fas, up-regulate Bcl-2 gene protein expression, significantly inhibit and block the myocardial cell apoptosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>To inhibit and block the event of cell apoptosis through regulating Bcl-2 and Fas gene protein expression in ischemic myocardium might be one of the mechanisms of WXT in preventing and treating myocardial ischemic injury of coronary heart disease.</p>