Rosemary supplementation (Rosmarinus oficinallis L.) attenuates cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction in rats

Abstract

BackgroundMyocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Dietary intervention on adverse cardiac remodeling after MI has significant clinical relevance. Rosemary leaves are a natural product with antioxidant/anti-inflammatory properties, but its effect on morphology and ventricular function after MI is unknown.Methods and resultsTo determine the effect of the dietary supplementation of rosemary leaves on cardiac remodeling after MI, male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups after sham procedure or experimental induced MI: 1) Sham group fed standard chow (SR0, n = 23); 2) Sham group fed standard chow supplemented with 0.02% rosemary (R002) (SR002, n = 23); 3) Sham group fed standard chow supplemented with 0.2% rosemary (R02) (SR02, n = 22); 4) group submitted to MI and fed standard chow (IR0, n = 13); 5) group submitted to MI and fed standard chow supplemented with R002 (IR002, n = 8); and 6) group submitted to MI and fed standard chow supplemented with R02 (IR02, n = 9). After 3 months of the treatment, systolic pressure evaluation, echocardiography and euthanasia were performed. Left ventricular samples were evaluated for: fibrosis, cytokine levels, apoptosis, energy metabolism enzymes, and oxidative stress. Rosemary dietary supplementation attenuated cardiac remodeling by improving energy metabolism and decreasing oxidative stress. Rosemary supplementation of 0.02% improved diastolic function and reduced hypertrophy after MI. Regarding rosemary dose, 0.02% and 0.2% for rats are equivalent to 11 mg and 110 mg for humans, respectively.ConclusionOur findings support further investigations of the rosemary use as adjuvant therapy in adverse cardiac remodeling.

Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary) as therapeutic and prophylactic agent

“…The effect of the supplementation with R. officinalis L . leaves was evaluated on cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction in male Wistar rats [47]. For this, healthy animals and infarcted animals were fed with standard chow or chow containing 0.02% or 0.2% of R. officinalis L. leaves for 90 days.…”

“…Molecular and cellular changes in the heart are responsible for the clinical problems. Thus, metabolic pathways and antioxidants could be the interaction forms of R. officinalis L. with living tissue [47, 48].…”

“…Metabolic changes, oxidative stress, and redox signaling are factors that contribute to cardiac remodeling [49]. Murino Rafacho et al [47] demonstrated that animals submitted to myocardial infarction and supplemented with R. officinalis L. leaves showed a higher fatty acids oxidation and respiratory chain improvement, similar to the metabolism of non-infarcted animals. Besides, they found a decrease of oxidative stress and enzymatic activity in cardiac tissue, using supplementation.…”

“…Attenuation of cardiac remodelingb. Improvement of metabolism and reduction of oxidative stress[47]Control of body weight and dyslipidemiaAqueous extracta. Inhibition of the body weight gainb.…”

Extracts of Crataegus oxyacantha and Rosmarinus officinalis Attenuate Ischemic Myocardial Damage by Decreasing Oxidative Stress and Regulating the Production of Cardiac Vasoactive Agents

“…Other authors have already reported that antioxidants are beneficial after injury to the myocardium since they increase the force of myocardial contraction, increase coronary flow, limit the size of infarction, and prevent mortality. This protective effect is associated with the decrease in oxygen free radicals that can activate the production of inflammatory cytokines and the release of human neutrophil elastase from neutrophils [ 55 , 56 ]. It would be desirable to determine whether treatment with polyphenols could modify other processes such as: cellular K + concentration, the duration of the potential, development of systolic strength, levels of high energy phosphate, and damage to the cellular metabolic machinery [ 57 ].…”