Cardioprotective Effects of Malus Domestica (Apple) May be Mediated Through Antiplatelet, Calcium Channel Blocking, and Antioxidant Properties

Abstract

Research on the cardioprotective potential of Malus domestica (MD or apple) has been of considerable importance and efforts are being increasingly focused on investigating their effects on human health. However, relatively little work has been done to investigate the cardioprotective effects of crude extract of MD. In the present study, the antioxidant potential of crude methanolic extract of MD fruit part was investigated by measuring its effects on glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes, and total antioxidant status (TAS) in blood samples. Anti-platelet and calcium channel blocking activities were also investigated. Our results reveal that crude methanolic extract of MD showed a significant concentration-dependent increase in GPx, and SOD, but not in TAS compared with saline solution (0.9% NaCl) used as negative control and vitamin C, as a positive control. Furthermore, crude extract of MD inhibited calcium channels and showed strong antiplatelet effects against arachidonic acid and platelet-activating factor-induced platelet aggregation. These results suggest that the cardioprotective effects of MD may be mediated through multiple pathways including calcium antagonizing, antiplatelet, and antioxidant properties.