Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the cardioprotective potential of 70% ethanolic extract of bark of Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv (EEBSC). Methods: Wister strain rats were pretreated with EEBSC in two different doses (250 and 500mg/kg) orally for 14 d and then intoxicated with isoproterenol (200 mg/ kg, s.c. for 2 consecutive days at an interval of 24 h on 14th and 15th day of treatment protocol) to induce myocardial injury. Results: Cardioprotection was assessed by estimating serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoproteins and high density lipoproteins. The levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and reduced glutathione were analyzed in heart homogenate. In isoproterenol-treated group, shrinkage of cardiac markers in serum and elevated lipid peroxidation accompanied by decreased content of reduced glutathione in heart. The prior administration of EEBSC significantly (P<0.05) prevented the isoproterenol-induced alterations and restored the cardiac markers. The observed results were further confirmed by histopathological findings. Conclusions: These findings indicate that EEBSC exerts cardioprotective effect against isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction due to its free radical scavenging effects, which maintains the tissue defence system against myocardial damage.

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