Total flavonoids of Selaginella tamariscina (P.Beauv.) Spring ameliorates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by modulating mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum stress via activating MFN2/PERK

Selaginella tamariscina (P.Beauv.) Spring (TFST) is used in folk medicine to treat many diseases, including hyperglycemia, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders and cancers. It contains a large amount of flavonoids, which have a variety of biological activities. This study aimed to investigate the effect of TFST on doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity and the underlying mechanisms involved. The results indicated that TFST had a protective effect on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity, which could ameliorate DOX-induced cardiotoxicity by alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction and ER stress via activating MFN2/PERK. MFN2/PERK pathway activation may be a novel mechanism to protect DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.