Assessment of the therapeutic effect of calotropis procera extract compared to digoxin on myocardial pathophysiology : an experimental study

Abstract EN

Among a number of plants, Calotropis procera contains natural compounds known as cardio-tonic steroids (digitalic compounds), flavonoids, saponins and alkaloids.

Digitalis cardiac glycosides are one of the most useful groups of heart medications, which are prescribed as digoxin (lanoxin).

This study is designed to compare the therapeutic effect of the crude extract of Calotropis procera compared to digoxin on normal and isoprenaline treated rats.

Electrocardiogram (ECG), cardiac biomarkers and anti-oxidant status of the myocardium were examined.

Subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of 20mg / kg isoprenaline induced myocardial dysfunction represented by an increase of heart rate (HR) and inhibition of the R and T-waves amplitudes.

Moreover, different ECG disorders were observed after 48h of administration of isoprenaline.

These effects were accompanied with augmented lipid peroxidation, reduction of heart glutathione concentration and elevation of cardiac biomarkers, creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).

Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 500 mg / kg crude extract of Calotropis procera or 0.05 mg / kg of digoxin decreased the HR and increased the R and T-wave amplitudes.

Administration of either crude extract or digoxin after isoprenaline treatment (48h) abolished the recorded cardiotoxic effects.

In the meantime, the level of lipid peroxidation, CK-MB and LDH were decreased, while cardiac glutathione concentration was increased.

In conclusion, the crude extract of Calotropis procera may have a component that could be of a therapeutic value in the future such as digoxin.