The ethanol leaf extract of Moringa oleifera leaf extract blunts isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity in rats through mitigation of free radical production and down regulation of cardiac troponin and nuclear factor kappa B

Heart disease including coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction is a leading cause of death in the world. Moringa oleifera is a popular plant in folkloric medicine. This study evaluated the effect of the ethanol leaf extract of Moringa oleifera (ELMO) on isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats. Thirty five male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 7 animals per group i.e. Group A (control), Group B (Toxicant), Groups C and D animals were given 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/ kg of (ELMO), respectively for 7 days and on day 8 were given 100mg/kg of isoproterenol. Group E animals received 100 mg/kg of ELMO only for 7 days. Serum analysis of CK- MB, Myeloperoxidase, Nitric oxide and Total protein, heart harvested for biochemical assays for the analysis of Advanced oxidative protein product (AOPP), Protein carbonyl (PC), Malonaldehyde (MDA), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione transferase (GST), Reduced glutathione (GSH), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Total thiol, Non-protein thiol and Hydrogen peroxide generation), histology and immunohistochemistry (CTnI, NF-KB) were carried out. There was significant (p < 0.05) reduction in SOD, GPx, GST, increased myeloperoxidase, Protein carbonyl, AOPP, MDA levels and H2O2 generation in toxicant groups but there was corresponding increase in the antioxidant enzymes and decrease in markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in ELMO treated groups. The toxicant also caused severe histopathological changes in the heart tissues and these were corrected by all the doses of the extract. There was increase expression of CTnI and NF-KB in the toxicant group but down regulation of these proteins by the extract. The results showed that Moringa oleifera possess cardiac protective effect