Paeonia Suffruticosa. PF has diverse biological functions and exhibits anti‐oxidative, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptotic activity. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is a catalyzing enzyme that is involved in the synthesis of nitric oxide

Paeoniflorin (PF) is the main active component of the commonly used Traditional Chinese Medicine peony, Paeonia Suffruticosa. PF has diverse biological functions and exhibits anti‐oxidative, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptotic activity. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is a catalyzing enzyme that is involved in the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO). NO has an important regulatory role in the cardiovascular, immune and nervous systems. PF has previously been demonstrated to inhibit the gene expression of iNOS. The present study aimed to identify a potentially novel cytoprotective function of PF, and to elucidate its effects against myocardial ischemic damage in a rat model of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). PF was able to significantly decrease the myocardial infarct size as well as the activities of creatine kinase (CK), the MB isoenzyme of CK, lactate dehydrogenase and cardiac troponin T. In addition, in the PF‐treated groups, the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL-6 and nuclear factor‐κB were markedly inhibited. Furthermore, treatment with PF inhibited the activities and protein expression levels of iNOS. Decreased caspase‐3 and caspase‐9 activities were also observed in the AMI rat model treated with various doses of PF. The results of the present study indicated that the cardioprotective effects of PF may be associated with the inhibition of inflammation and iNOS signaling pathways.