Cymbopogon Proximus Essential Oil Protects Rats against Isoproterenol-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy and Fibrosis

Abstract

Cymbopogon proximus (Halfabar), a wild plant that is usually used in folk medicine due to its diuretic and antispasmodic effects, was shown to exhibit several cardiovascular protective actions such as antidiabetic, antihypertensive, antioxidant, and antinflammatory effects. However, no reports are available regarding the investigation of the role of Cymbopogon proximus essential oil on cardiac hypertrophy. Therefore, the goals of the present study were to find whether Cymbopogon proximus could alleviate isoproterenol induced‐cardiac hypertrophy and to determine the underlying molecular mechanisms. For this purpose, male albino rats were treated daily with either Cymbopogon proximus essential oil (800 μl/kg/day, ip), isoproterenol (5 mg/kg/day, ip), or the combination of both. Oil administration was started four days prior to isoproterenol administration and continued concurrently thereafter for another three days. All animal groups were euthanized 24 hours after the last dose of treatment. Thereafter, the hearts were harvested and heart weight to body weight (HW:BW) ratios were measured and sections of hearts were stained with Masson's trichrome and H&E to assess cardiac fibrosis and morphology. Our results showed that isoproterenol alone resulted in a significant increase in HW:BW ratio and marked myocardial fibrosis in treated rats. On the other hand, treatment with Cymbopogon proximus essential oil significantly reduced the isoproterenol‐mediated increase in HW:BW ratio by 55%. However, oil treatment did not affect isoproterenol mediated‐increase in myocardial fibrosis. Conclusion Cymbopogon proximus essential oil partly protects against isoproterenol‐induced cardiac hypertrophy with no effect on cardiac fibrosis. These findings provide support for the promising therapeutic effects of Cymbopogon proximus on cardiac diseases. This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Laser Light Treatment of Seeds for Improving the Biomass Photosynthesis, Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Lemongrass Sprouts

“…In agreement with this, piperitone, elemol, α eudesmol, limonene, and βeudesmol are reported to be the main components of Cymbopogon proximus [15]. Interestingly, the essential oil of Cymbopogon proximus sprouts has been previously investigated for its cardio-protective effects [19]. Additionally, essential oils from Cymbopogon Flexuosus Steud.…”

“…On the other hand, the laser-treated sprouts showed slight increases in the levels of linalool (65%), linalyl acetate (64%), and bourbobene (63%) in comparison to the control group. In a recent study, the essential oils elemol, piperitone, α-eudesmol, and β-eudesmol, separated from Cymbopogon proximus sprouts, were able together to protect rats against isoproterenolinduced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis [19]. In agreement with this, piperitone, elemol, α eudesmol, limonene, and βeudesmol are reported to be the main components of Cymbopogon proximus [15].…”

“…Interestingly, it was also introduced as an antihypertensive agent after its observed hypotensive effect in experimentally induced hypertension in rats [17,18]. The essential oils from Cymbopogon proximus were proven to protect rats against isoproterenolinduced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis [19]. Thus, improving the phytochemical content of these plants, particularly their sprouts, is expected to enhance their health-promoting and functional food values.…”

Mangiferin ameliorates cardiac fibrosis in D-galactose-induced aging rats by inhibiting TGF-β/p38/MK2 signaling pathway

“…The pathological progress of cardiac hypertrophy is accompanied by disorder expressed genes. ANP, BNP, and β-MHC are suggested to be the most consistent markers for cardiac hypertrophy [ 3 , 17 ]. Moreover, aging promoted-cardiac fibrosis is the characteristic of age-related cardiac decline including cardiac hypertrophy [ 4 , 8 ].…”

“…As a result, aging is suggested to be a major risk factor for varieties of diseases. It is reported that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) (including hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure) contribute to about 31% of all deaths worldwide [ 3 ]. In fact, CVDs have already been the major health problems in both developed countries and developing countries [ 4 ].…”