Antioxidant effects of ethyl acetate extract of Desmodium gangeticum root on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in rat hearts

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study aims to evaluate the antioxidant potential of the ethyl acetate extract of <it>Desmodium gangeticum </it>root for cardioprotection from ischemia reperfusion-induced oxidative stress.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The <it>in vitro </it>antioxidant potential of the extract was in terms of hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, lipid peroxide scavenging activity, nitric oxide scavenging activity and diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity. The <it>in vivo </it>antioxidant potential of the extract was assessed in an isolated rat heart model.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Free radicals were scavenged by the extract in a concentration-dependent manner within the range of the given concentrations in all models. Administration of the ethyl acetate extract of <it>Desmodium gangeticum </it>root (100 mg per kg body weight) before global ischemia caused a significant improvement of cardiac function and a decrease in the release of lactate dehydrogenase in coronary effluent, as well as the level of malondialdehyde in myocardial tissues.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The ethyl acetate extract of <it>Desmodium gangeticum </it>root protects the myocardium against ischemia-reperfusion-induced damage in rats. The effects of the extract may be related to the inhibition of lipid peroxidation.</p