Planta Med 2007; 73 - P_442
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-987222

Ameliorative effect of Piper longum fruits against experimental myocardial oxidative stress-induced injury in rats

AS Wakade 1, AR Juvekar 1, MP Kulkarni 1, AS Shah 1
  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology, University Institute of Chemical Technology, Matunga, Mumbai 400019, India

The present study was undertaken to investigate the possible protective effect of a methanolic extract of Piper longum fruits (PLM) on isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats. PLM was administered orally to Wistar rats in two different doses (250mg/kg, 500mg/kg) for 21 days followed by subcutaneous administration of isoproterenol (85mg/kg.). Isoproterenol administration was manifested in significant increase in myocardial lipid peroxide levels as well as significant decrease in the activity of the myocardial marker enzymes viz. alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase with a concomitant increase in their activity in serum. All these levels were restored in PLM treated rats. Isoproterenol administration also had a significant effect on lipid profile as evidenced by increased triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and VLDL cholesterol levels with a significant decrease in HDL cholesterol levels. These levels were significantly restored by pretreatment with PLM. Activities of heart antioxidant enzymes like catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase and reduced glutathione were significantly lowered owing to the myocardial infarction in isoproterenol treated rats. PLM also prevented the isoproterenol-induced decrease in antioxidant enzymes in the heart and improved lipid profile. One-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test was applied to test statistical significance. The histopathological studies on heart revealed degenerative changes and cellular infiltrations in the isoproterenol group and the pretreatment with PLM reduced the intensity of such lesions in dose dependent manner. The results show that pretreatment with Piper longum may be useful in preventing the damage induced by isoproterenol in rat heart.

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