Cardioprotective effects of Musanga cecropioides Welw. Ex Benth extracts on isoproterenol-induced acute myocardial infarction in Wistar rats.

Abstract

Background of the study: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a prominent etiology of heart failure-related death worldwide. Musanga cecropioides Welw. Ex Benth bark water extract is used by the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria for the treatment of several metabolic diseases, inflammatory diseases, wounds, coughs, and toothaches. Aim: This work evaluates the cardioprotective effects of M. cecropioides water extract on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced AMI in Wistar rats. Methodology: ISO (100 mg/kg, subcutaneous (s.c.)) was used to induce AMI in rats. Thirty rats (n = 5) were pretreated orally for seven days with normal saline (1.0 ml/kg/day, no-AMI control), normal saline + ISO (1.0 ml/kg/day + 100 mg/kg AMI, control), normal saline + M. cecropioides water extract (1.0 ml/kg/day + 500 mg/kg/day, non-AMI group), M. cecropioides water extract 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day, and captopril (5 mg/kg/po/day) before induction of AMI on the eighth and ninth days. Electrocardiographic changes, lipid peroxidation, biochemical enzyme profile, hematological, and histopathological changes were determined. Results: ISO significantly increased AST, ALT, lipid 15 profile, and oxidative stress marker (MDA). In addition, it caused ST segment elevation, increased heart rate, R-R interval, and degenerative changes in cardiac tissues. Pretreatment with M. cecropioides water extract (500 and 1000 mg/kg) significantly suppressed the biochemical enzyme profile and lipid peroxidation. It also significantly improved changes in histopathological and electrocardiographic imaging of the myocardium. Conclusion: The outcome of this work shows evidence that M. cecropioides water extract may have cardioprotective effects on AMI in rats.