Cardio-Protective Effect of Rooibos against Isoproterenol Induced Myocardial Infarction in Male Albino Rats

Abstract

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) is the most lethal manifestation of cardiovascular disease, cause morbidity and mortality in the world. Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) naturally derived plant, used as a traditional medicine against cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Aim: The present study aims to elucidate whether rooibos possesses cardio-protective effect against MI driven by isoproterenol (ISO). Materials & Methods: Swiss male adult albino rats were divided into 5 groups: 1 st gp served as negative control; 2 nd gp served as Rooibos group administrated orally 3 times a week for 8 weeks, ‫‬ 3 rd gp served as ISO group injected with 85 mg/kg S.C. for days 54, 55; 4 th gp served as preventive group rooibos administrated then ‫‬ injected with ISO; and 5 th gp served as therapeutic group ‫‬ injected with ISO then rooibos administrated. Blood and tissues samples were collected for some biochemical and histopathological studies. Results: Isoproterenol induced MI that characterized by alterations in cardiac markers and functions, enhanced the levels of antioxidant level in heart tissue, and induced myocardial necrosis and inflammation; as these changes were accompanied with elevation of lipid profile except HDL. Our data resulted in Rooibos could ameliorate cardiac injury (aspartate transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase-MB, troponin and Galectin-3), up-regulate antioxidant systems (decreasing MDA and increasing superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reduced, glutathione peroxidase in heart homogenate), and maintain the levels of circulating lipids driven by ISO as well. Rooibos showed significant preventive effects in all the biochemical and histological studies in myocardial infarcted rats rather than therapeutic ones. Conclusions: Rooibos extract may be apparently safe and non-toxic exerts strong favorable cardio-protective action in ISO induced rats due to high antioxidant capacity that decrease the oxidative stress, anti-dyslipidemia, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation.