Evaluation of cardioprotective activity of ethanolic extract of dried leaves of Cinnamomum tamala in rats

Abstract

The present study was designed to scientifically evaluate the cardio protective potential of Ethanolic Extract of dried leaves of Cinnamomum tamala (Family: Lauraceae) (EECT), against doxorubicin induced myocardial infarction in Wistar albino rats. Myocardial infarction was produced in rats with 15mg/kg of doxorubicin administered intraperitoneally (i.p), in six divided doses for two weeks. Effect of oral treatment of EECT at two doses (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight), both in prophylactically and curatively manner was evaluated against doxorubicin (15mg/kg,i.p) induced myocardial infarction. Levels of marker enzymes- Creatinine Phospho Kinase (CPK), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), Alanine Amino Transferase(ALT) and Aspartate Amino Transferase(AST) were estimated in both the serum and heart tissues; antioxidant parameters viz., catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assayed in heart homogenate. Doxorubicin significantly increases the serum levels of marker enzymes and reduction of endogenous antioxidants when compared with normal rats. EECT elicited a significant cardio protective activity by lowering the levels of serum marker enzymes and lipid peroxidation and elevated the levels of catalase. The study confirms the cardioprotective potential of EECT against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats.