Protective role of heartogen against myocardial infarction in rats

Introduction: Heartogen [HTN], an Ayurvedic medicine is a combination of herbs and bhasmas used in cardiac ailments. Objectives: The present study is aimed at investigating the cardio-protective effects of HTN against isoproterenol [ISP] induced myocardial infarction in rats. Methods: Male rats were pre-treated with HTN [50 and 100mg/kg/day, p.o] or vehicle [0.3% CMC] for 21 days. ISP [120mg/kg, s.c; 2 doses at 24 h interval] was administered on days 19 and 21. On day 22, plasma and heart tissues were collected for biochemical, molecular and histopathological analyses. Results: Pretreatment with HTN significantly reduced plasma CK-MB and cardiac LPO while increased SOD, GSH and GPx levels when compared vehicle treated rats. HTN improved NaKATPase, CaATPase and MgATPase activities in the hearts of ISP intoxicated rats. HTN down-regulated p53, caspase-3 and Bax and up-regulate Bcl2 gene expression. HTN treated rats showed minimal degree of histoarchitectural changes in heart when compared to positive control. Conclusion: Hence, in this manuscript we propose that HTN has the ability to protect against myocardial infarction via anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic mechanisms.