Background: The present study was conducted to evaluate the protective role of pomegranate juice alone or in combination with propolis extract against isoproterenol (ISO) induced myocardial infarction in rats. Material and Methods: Male Wister albino rats (n=60) weighing 220-280g were divided into six groups each group contain ten rats; group I: negative control fed standard diet. Group (II-VI): Rats were injected subcutaneously with isoproterenol (150 mg/kg) for 3 days. Group III: Rats were given pomegranate juice 1ml /rat / day. Group IV: Rats were given propolis extract (50 mg/kg BW). Group V: Rats were given pomegranate juice + propolis extract. Group VI: Rats were given glyceronitrate (2.6mg/kg.bw/day). Results: The ISO-induced myocardial infarction in untreated rats has indicated by significant (p < 0.001) elevation of cardiac marker enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and cardiac troponin I (CnI ) when compared with control group. Rats treated with pomegranate juice and propolis extracts showed highly significant (p<0.001) improvement in cardiac marker enzymes activities when compared with untreated myocardial infarction group. Histological investigation showed features of damaged muscles (atrophy, necrosis) which while it was ameliorated in treated groups with superior effect with pomegranate juice. Conclusion: It was concluded that, pomegranate juice in combination with propolis have a potential to alleviate the oxidative stress that induce myocardial infarction and therefore reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases.

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) triggered by Group A streptococcus bacterium due to post-infectious and non-supportive pharyngeal infection. Depending on certain conditions, such as genetic predisposition to the disease, the prevalence of various cases of rheumatism and socioeconomic status in different regions, ARF can have different clinical manifestations. The disease typically manifested by one or more acute episodes, whereas 30-50% of all repeated ARF status can result in chronic rheumatic heart disease (RHD) with gradual and irreversible heart valve damage and also have been found to be correlated with a raised risk of myocardial infarction (MI), cardiovascular disease (CVD) and dyslipidemia. The RHD is the only long-term consequence of ARF and the most serious. The development to chronic RHD is determined by many factors, most notably the frequent episodes of rheumatic fever (RF). The RHD is known socially and economically as being the most frequent heart disease in vulnerable populations. H.pylori infection has been proposed to be involved RHD greater than that of the normal healthy people. H.pylori can be considered as one of the probable risk factor for RHD.It was concluded that patients with H. Pylori should be advised to follow up in cardiology clinics to avoid any complications.