Cardioprotective Activities of Ethanolic Extract Root of Ageratum conyzoides on Alloxan-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus has developed into one of the debilitating diseases disturbing the health of many people living with cardiovascular diseases in modern times. The root of Ageratum conyzoides was investigated for its effects on alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats’ cardiac tissues. Thirty-two (32) Wistar rats weighing between 180 and 190 g were randomly divided into four groups. The animals in groups B-D were induced with a single dose of 150 mg/kg body weight of alloxan (ALX) intraperitoneally. They were confirmed hyperglycemic after 72 hours of induction and then sustained in hyperglycemic condition for 2 weeks. Animals in groups C and D received AC intervention, as stated above, for four weeks. The body weight of the experimental animals and blood collection for glucose estimation were taken weekly for six weeks using appropriate instruments. Biochemical assays for lipid profile, antioxidant enzymatic, and nonenzymatic markers were carried out. Histopathological changes in the cardiac tissues were also studied. Administration of 150 mg/kg of ALX to experimental rats induced diabetes and significantly reduced the body weights, significantly ( p < 0.05 ) increased the glucose level, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, and decreased the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and antioxidant enzymatic markers such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) while the antioxidant nonenzymatic marker such as malondialdehyde (MDA) level was significantly increased. By contrast, rats given the ethanolic extract root of A. conyzoides had significantly ( p < 0.05 ) increased the body weight gain, whereas the glucose levels significantly ( p < 0.05 ) improved in treated diabetic rats. This extract also improved the cardiovascular system of the diabetic rats by significantly decreasing TG and LDL levels, significantly ( p < 0.05 ) increasing the HDL level, significantly reducing the cardiac contents of CAT, SOD, and GPx, and significantly ( p < 0.05 ) decreasing MDA. Ethanolic extract root of A. conyzoides exhibited antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activities and mitigates damage to the heart from the ALX-induced myocardial toxicity associated with type-1 diabetes.

Globularia alypum Extracts Attenuate Hyperglycemia and Protect against Various Organ Toxicities in Alloxan-Induced Experimental Diabetic Rats

“…However, administration of GAME and GAWE is highly effective in preventing tissue damage by reducing alteration of heart and bone tissues. These results are consistent with previously reported studies that supplementation of herbal flavonoids and polyphenols to diabetes-induced heart damage improved and minimized cardiac injury [ 36 , 37 ].…”

Potentials of Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir: Aqueous Stem Bark Extract to Prevent Development of cardiomyopathy in Rats

“…cTnI is considered as one of the most sensitive and commonly used biomarkers, and its release from the cardiomyocytes is proportional to the size and extent of cardiac tissue injury [28]. It has been reported by Robertson et al, (2004); Goyal and Patel, (2011) that the cytotoxic action of alloxan is mediated by the formation of free radicals such as superoxide and catalase radicals, which selectively damages the β cells of the pancreas, which are known to be one of the weakest structures to oxidative stress by generating excess reactive oxygen species and produces heart lesions that are similar to human diabetic cardiomyopathy [29]. Excessive ROS production that exceeds critical levels can overcome all the heart's antioxidants' protection strategy, causing oxidative stress that damages the biological tissues in the hearts [29].…”

“…It has been reported by Robertson et al, (2004); Goyal and Patel, (2011) that the cytotoxic action of alloxan is mediated by the formation of free radicals such as superoxide and catalase radicals, which selectively damages the β cells of the pancreas, which are known to be one of the weakest structures to oxidative stress by generating excess reactive oxygen species and produces heart lesions that are similar to human diabetic cardiomyopathy [29]. Excessive ROS production that exceeds critical levels can overcome all the heart's antioxidants' protection strategy, causing oxidative stress that damages the biological tissues in the hearts [29]. In the present study, diabetic control group showed a marked increase in cTnI concentration indicating that there is an extensive damage to the cardiac tissues in the presence of alloxan.…”

Cardiovascular toxin-induced hyperglycemic and hypoarousal pathology-associated cognitive impairment: an in silico and in vivo validation

“…Alloxan and STZ are experimental chemicals that are extensively used to induce hyperglycemic states in animal models. Alloxan has also been reported to induce cardiotoxicity associated with hyperglycemia [16] . Alloxan is chemically stable at acidic pH, supporting its viability as an oral dosage; however, rapid degradation occurs near a physiological pH of 7.4.…”