Research

Antioxidant effects of ethyl acetate extract of Desmodium gangeticum root on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in rat hearts

Gino A Kurian¹ , Srilalitha Suryanarayanan² , Archana Raman² and Jose Padikkala³

¹  School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Thirumalaisamudram, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India

²  SASTRA University, Thirumalaisamudram, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India

³  Department of Plant Biotechnology, Amala Cancer Research Center, Amalanagar, Trichur, Kerala, India

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Chinese Medicine 2010, 5:3doi:10.1186/1749-8546-5-3

Published:	22 January 2010

Abstract

Background

This study aims to evaluate the antioxidant potential of the ethyl acetate extract of Desmodium gangeticum root for cardioprotection from ischemia reperfusion-induced oxidative stress.

Methods

The in vitro antioxidant potential of the extract was in terms of hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, lipid peroxide scavenging activity, nitric oxide scavenging activity and diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity. The in vivo antioxidant potential of the extract was assessed in an isolated rat heart model.

Results

Free radicals were scavenged by the extract in a concentration-dependent manner within the range of the given concentrations in all models. Administration of the ethyl acetate extract of Desmodium gangeticum root (100 mg per kg body weight) before global ischemia caused a significant improvement of cardiac function and a decrease in the release of lactate dehydrogenase in coronary effluent, as well as the level of malondialdehyde in myocardial tissues.

Conclusion

The ethyl acetate extract of Desmodium gangeticum root protects the myocardium against ischemia-reperfusion-induced damage in rats. The effects of the extract may be related to the inhibition of lipid peroxidation.