Protective Effect of Plectranthus amboinicus Leaf Extract Containing Luteolin Flavanoid in Isoproterenol Hydrochloride Induced Myocardial Infarction in Rats - An Assessment on Biochemical and Cellular Changes

Almost all ages and in all countries, diseases of cardiovascular system are the major cause for death and disability. Among the cardiovascular diseases, myocardial infarction appears to be the number one killer disease in affulent societies till today. Oxygen free radical is implicated as a mediator of tissue injury in cardiovascular pathology. Recently, attention has been focused on many medicinal plants and plant derived phytochemicals such as the flavonoids, alkaloids, polyphenols and xanthones as potential therapeutic agents in the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases due to their antioxidant nature. The present study aims to develop experimental MI (Myocardial Infarction) in laboratory animals (rats) to understand the morphology, biochemistry, electrophysiology and mechanical properties of the damaged myocardium and to test the efficacy of plant derived therapeutic agent in treating MI in rats.The main objective of the study is to evaluate and explore the cardio protective effect of luteolin flavanoid in isoproterenol induced experimental myocardial infarcted rats. The flavanoid will be isolated and purified by analytical methods. The optimum dosage of the drug will also be studied. In myocardial infarcted rats, the oxidative damage induced by isoproterenol will be studied. In order to strengthen the antioxidant and the free radical scavenging activity of this flavonoid (luteolin), the antioxidant effect of the drug will be analyzed in myocardial tissue by assaying the biochemical parameters in cytosol, mitochondria, lysosomes and serum of the animals. Then the therapeutic efficacy of luteolin for the possible use as a carditonic drug for cardiovascular diseases will be evaluated. If the result is found good then the prospects of this drug for human beings could be assessed.