Gamboge, the dried resin secreted by Garcinia maingayii (gambogic tree), was previously demonstrated to exert anti‑inflammatory effects. The present study examined the effects of gambogic acid, the major active constituent of gamboge, on myocardial infarction (MI) and inflammation in a rat model and explored the possible underlying mechanisms. The results demonstrated that gambogic acid inhibited the ratio of heart weight to body weight and myocardial damage (via lactate dehydrogenase and cardiac troponin T) in rats with MI. Gambogic acid suppressed the activation of interleukin (IL)‑6 and tumor necrosis factor‑α, and increased IL‑10 levels in MI rats. Furthermore, gambogic acid reduced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‑2, MMP‑9, intercellular adhesion molecule‑1 (ICAM‑1), nuclear factor (NF)‑κB/p65 and phosphorylated p38 protein in ischemic myocardial tissue of MI rats. In conclusion, gambogic acid exerted anti‑inflammatory effects in MI rats by targeting the iNOS, MMPs, ICAM‑1, NF‑κB and p38 pathways. Gambogic acid may protect against MI‑induced inflammation in rats, which may be associated with the activation of the NF‑κB/p38 pathway.

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