MYOCARDIAL POTENCY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF HARUNGANA MADAGASCARIENSIS STEM BARK AGAINST ISOPROTERENOL-INDUCED MYOCARDIAL DAMAGE IN RATS

Esther Ngo Lemba Tom; Florette Diane Nankia; Nyemb Nyunaï; Corine Girard Thernier; Céline Demougeot; Théophile Dimo

doi:10.22270/ujpr.v3i1.R4

Esther Ngo Lemba Tom Department of Biological Sciences, Higher Teachers’ Training College, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Florette Diane Nankia Department of Biological Sciences, Higher Teachers’ Training College, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Nyemb Nyunaï Medical Research Centre, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies (IMPM), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Corine Girard Thernier EA 4267 PEPITE, UFR Sciences Médicales et Pharmaceutiques, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 19 rue Ambroise Paré, bâtiment S, 25030, Besancon cedex, France.
Céline Demougeot EA 4267 PEPITE, UFR Sciences Médicales et Pharmaceutiques, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 19 rue Ambroise Paré, bâtiment S, 25030, Besancon cedex, France.
Théophile Dimo Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, P.O Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon

10.22270/ujpr.v3i1.R4

Keywords:

Antioxidants, electrocardiography, Harungana madagascariensis, isoproterenol, myocardial infarction

Abstract

Objectives: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of Harungana madagascariensis on electrocardiographical, biochemical and histopathological changes in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction in rats.

Methods: Male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided and treated with the aqueous extract of Harungana madagascariensis stem bark (AEHM, 200 and 400 mg/kg per os), or normal saline or vitamin E for 7 days with concomitant administration of ISO (85 mg/kg, subcutaneously) on 8^th and 9^th days, at 24 h interval.

Results: The ISO injections to the rats caused cardiac dysfunction evidenced by a marked (P<0.01) elevation in ST-segment, a reduction in R wave amplitude (P<0.01), decrease in endogenous antioxidant reduced glutathione (GSH), increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation marker, increase of cardiac marker enzymes lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT). All these changes in cardiac function as well as GSH, MDA and the enzymes (LDH, AST and ALT) were ameliorated when the rats were pretreated with AEHM. Additionally, the protective effects were strengthened by improved histopathological changes, which specify the protection of cardiomyocytes from the deleterious effects of ISO.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates the cardioprotective effect of Harungana madagascariensis on isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats. The mechanism might be associated with the enhancement of antioxidant defense, reduction of lipid peroxydation and it is confirmed by amending electrocardiographic pattern, improvement of cardiac markers and less histopathological damages following ISO-induced myocardial infarction. It could provide experimental evidence to support the use of Harungana madagascariensis used in traditional medicine to treat cardiovascular disorders.