Effect of ayurvedic preparation Mrityunjay in digoxin-induced arrhythmic rats

Mrityunjay is a plant based ayurvedic preparation which is used in the treatment of high blood pressure as well as other cardiovascular diseases. It comprises of significant cardioprotective constituents. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Mrityunjay on digoxin-induced arrhythmia and lipid profile in rats. Rats were orally pre-treated with Mrityunjay at the doses of 0.28 and 2.8 mL/kg b.w. for consecutive 35 days through the oral route. On the 36th day, the rats were given a bolus dose of digoxin (20 mg/kg b.w., i.p.). Electrocardiogram along with heart rate were taken for an hour after digoxin administration and serum lipid profile was measured. The digoxin administration caused severe arrhythmia in rats. Mrityunjay significantly (p<0.05) inhibited digoxin-induced arrhythmia at both dose levels. In addition, it caused a significant (p<0.05) decrease in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in blood serum. The study revealed that the ayurvedic preparation Mrityunjay possesses significant anti-arrhythmic activity against digoxin-induced arrhythmia. It also has a significant hypocholesterolemic effect. Key words: Mrityunjay, ayurvedic preparation, cardioprotection, digoxin-induced arrhythmia, electrocardiography (ECG), lipid profile.