The present study evaluated the protective potential of aqueous extract of Oxalis corniculata (OCE) against isoproterenol (ISO) induced myocardial infarction in rats. Myocardial infarction in rats was induced by isoproterenol (200 mg/kg) at an interval of 24 h for 2 days. OCE was given to rats as pretreatment for 30 days orally using an intragastric tube. Isoproterenol caused a significant increase in the activity of cardiac injury marker enzymes like creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and increased the concentration of serum lipids. OCE pretreatment significantly reduced the concentration of CPK, LDH, serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. OCE also reduced the activity of lipogenic enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in ISO administered rats. Oxidative stress produced by isoproterenol was significantly lowered by the administration of OCE which was evident from increased activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and superoxide dismutase) and reduced concentration of lipid peroxidation products (TBARS and conjugated dienes). Concentration of vitamin C, protein sulfhydryl groups and reduced glutathione (GSH) was also high in OCE pretreated rats. Histopathology of heart of ISO administered rat pretreated with OCE showed normal myocardium with very little evidence of inflammatory infiltration. Results of our in vitro findings also confirmed that OCE exhibits significant antioxidant and radical scavenging activity against DPPH, superoxide and nitric oxide radicals. These findings provided evidence that O. corniculata was found to be protecting the myocardium against ischemic insult and the protective effect could attribute to its antioxidative and antihyperlipidemic activities.
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