Cardioprotective Potential of <i>Albizzia lebbeck</i>: Insights Isoproterenol-Induced Myocardial Infarction in Rats

Abstract

This study investigates the cardioprotective potential of Albizzia lebbeck (Shirish) ethanol leaf extract against Isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction in Wistar albino rats. Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are a major global health concern, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality. A. lebbeck, a medicinal plant with documented pharmacological activities, has not been scientifically studied for its cardioprotective properties. The research utilised a rat model of ISO-induced myocardial infarction, a well-established experimental approach to study preventive effects on myocardial damage. The study included the isolation and preparation of A. lebbeck ethanol leaf extract (MEAL) and its administration at different doses (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) to ISO-treated rats. Various parameters, including relative organ weight, cardiac biomarkers (cTnI, LDH, CK-MB), total proteins, oxidative stress markers (SOD, MDA), and histopathological changes, were assessed. The results revealed that ISO administration induced cardiac hypertrophy, increased serum biomarkers, and oxidative stress, indicating myocardial damage. Treatment with MEAL, especially at the higher dose (400 mg/kg), significantly mitigated these effects. MEAL administration reduced the heart-to-body weight ratio, normalised serum biomarkers, restored endogenous antioxidant enzyme levels, and showed a protective effect against structural damage in histopathological examination. In conclusion, A. lebbeck ethanol leaf extract demonstrated significant cardioprotective effects against ISO-induced myocardial infarction in rats. These findings suggest the potential of A. lebbeck as a natural therapeutic agent for preventing or ameliorating cardiac damage associated with stress-induced conditions. Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms underlying its cardioprotective properties and explore its potential clinical applications.