Corchorus olitorius Extract Attenuate Isoproterenol-Induced Cardiac Injury via Inhibition of Oxidative Stress, Arrhythmia and Pro-Apoptotic Protein Bax Expression

Background and Aim: Corchorus olitorius (CO) leaf was reported to possess abundant antioxidants and used in the traditional treatment of heart disease. Previous studies revealed the protective roles of antioxidants against oxidative stress and inflammation, which are important underlying pathogenesis of myocardial injury that leads to infarction and heart failure. Therefore, CO leaf was chosen to evaluate its cardio-protective effects against ischemic-induced myocardial injury.

Materials and Methods: Thirty male rats (Wistar strains) were divided into five groups (n = 6): normal control group, myocardial injury control group, pretreatment groups (250 and 500 mg/kg), positive control group (10 mg/kg enalapril). After pre-treatment of rats with ethanol leaf extract of CO for 19 days, Isoprenaline (100 mg/kg) administration induced acute myocardial injury and parameters like blood pressure, electrocardiogram, lipid peroxidation, antioxidants were assessed and tissue subjected to histological evaluations.

Results: Isoproterenol given through subcutaneous significantly (p<0.05) reduced blood pressure and electrocardiography showed reduced p-interval and prolongation of QRS-interval in rats. The extract significantly increased the blood pressure and p-interval, QRS-interval were significantly reduced. The significant increase in tissue malondialdehyde, serum myeloperoxidase, creatine kinase-MB, lactate dehydrogenase and expression of Bax in the infarction control rats was decreased (p<0.05) in pre-treatment rats. Pre-treatment also increased glutathione-s-transferase, reduced glutathione and non-protein thiol level significantly. In contrast to cardio-injury control, histology showed mild level of inflammation and fatty infiltration in pre-treated rats.

Conclusion: This study showed the protective role of ethanol extract of CO against myocardial injury through anti-apoptotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-arrhythmic effect.