Potential of ferulic acid as a food-derived cardioprotective agent targeting mitochondrial dysfunction

Ferulic acid (FA), a natural Phenolic acids compound abundant in cereals, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and medicinal plants, has attracted increasing attention due to its potential health benefits and widespread presence in food matrices. However, its cardioprotective effects and potential mechanisms remain to be fully investigated, particularly its protective effects on mitochondrial function have been little studied. In this study, isoproterenol (ISO, 10 mg kg−1) was administered to mice to induce cardiac injury and mitochondrial dysfunction, while FA was given orally (50/100 mg kg−1) for 14 days as a dietary intervention. The results showed that FA significantly alleviated myocardial injury and hypertrophy by reducing serum levels of CK-MB, cTnI, and BNP, and improved histopathological changes in heart tissue. Importantly, FA preserved the mitochondrial membrane potential, inhibited excess reactive oxygen species production and calcium loading, restored the activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I-IV, and facilitated split-fusion homeostasis, thereby maintaining mitochondrial integrity and bioenergetics. These findings suggest that FA can effectively protect against ISO-induced cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction, mainly through antioxidant activity and stabilization of mitochondrial function. Overall, this study highlights the potential of FA as a functional food ingredient for improving mitochondrial function and thus cardiovascular health, and provides a basis for its use in food and nutritional interventions, encouraging future research on its formulation and incorporation into foods.