Aims: 

The present study was aimed to elucidate the effect of Momordica cymbalaria (MC) on isoproterenol (ISO) induced cardiac damage.

Methods: 

Male Wistar rats were divided into Group I: control (distilled water p.o), Group II: ISO (60mg/kg, s.c.), Group III and IV rats were treated with ethanolic extract of roots of MC, 250 and 500mg/kg p.o. respectively for 45 days followed by ISO (60mg/kg, s.c.). Twelve hours after second injection of ISO, animals were sacrificed, blood and hearts were collected. The serum was used for determination of myocardial infarction marker enzymes, lipid parameters, and uric acid. Hearts were used for histopathological studies and for the assay of oxidative stress parameters.

Results: 

When compared to ISO administered group, the pre-treatment with ethanol extract at 250 and 500mg/kg for 45 days significantly prevented the elevation of serum marker enzymes like lactate dehydrogenase (P < 0.01), creatinine kinase-MB fraction (P < 0.001), aspartate transaminase (P < 0.001), alanine transaminase (P < 0.001), alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.001) and the alterations in the oxidative stress markers (P < 0.05) like lipid peroxidase activity, glutathione activity, catalase and superoxide dismutase. The serum lipid levels were also elevated by ISO, but the treatment with the extract significantly prevented the elevation of total cholesterol (P < 0.001), triglycerides (P < 0.001), low density lipoproteins (P < 0.001) and increased the high density lipoproteins (P < 0.001). The cardiac sections also revealed the protective effect of the extract.

Conclusion: 

From the results it can be concluded that the ethanol extract of MC offers protection against ISO induced myocardial injury and the effect was more prominent at 500mg/kg.