The impact of Procyanidin extracted from Crataegus azarolus on rats with induced heart failure

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the possible use of Procyanidin extracted from Crataegus azarolus in the treatment of induced heart failure in rats. Thirty-six male rats were randomly assigned to three groups; the first two groups had six rats each, and the third group included four subgroups (each with six rats). The first group was regarded as the control group, while the second group (normal rats) received oral Procyanidin 30mg/kg/day for 14 days. The rest of the experimental groups were all injected intraperitoneally with 5mg/kg/day for seven days to induce heart failure. The first subgroup (IIIa) served as a positive control, and the other subgroups (IIIb, c, and d) received oral Procyanidin 30mg/kg/day, spironolactone 20mg/kg/day, and digoxin 7Mcg/kg/day, respectively, for 14 days. Heart failure induction in rats significantly increased levels of cardiac biomarkers, including NT-proBNP, BNP, ALP, MMP9, CPK, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure. The normal rats that received only Procyanidin experienced a significant decrease in the ALP level. Moreover, Procyanidin, accompanied by spironolactone and digoxin, significantly decreased NT-proBNP, BNP, ALP, and diastolic BP in rats with heart failure. Procyanidin extracted from C. azarolus significantly decreased cardiac biomarkers in rats with iso-induced HF. The final results demonstrated similar effects with both spironolactone and digoxin in induced heart failure in rats, revealing the possibility of using Procyanidin in the HF treatment.