Terminalia arjuna Extract Attenuates Isoproterenol-Induced Cardiac Stress in Wistar Rats via an Anti-Apoptotic Pathway

Terminalia arjuna is well known for its health benefits. It is used as a traditional medicine to cure many disease conditions. In the present study, the authors have evaluated the cardioprotective potential of T. arjuna extract (TAE) against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac stress in male Wistar albino rats. TAE 50 and 75 mg/kg body weight significantly ( p < 0.01) protected rats against ISO (85 mg/kg body weight)-induced stress and were evidenced by electrocardiography and serum biomarker enzyme levels. Pretreatment with TAE-protected oxidative stress-induced cardiac stress by decreasing the generation of free radical like ROS, hydroperoxide and nitrite levels. TAE pretreatment retained cardiac rhythm, myocardial membrane integrity and reduced the rate of lipid peroxidation induced by ISO treatment. TAE pretreatment also elevated antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase) and total glutathione levels against ISO-induced cardiac stress. Further, anti-apoptotic effects of TAE were confirmed by immunoblotting studies by alleviating the phosphorylation of JNK, c-jun and also by regulating protein expressions of Bax, Bcl 2 and iNOS levels in myocardium. Overall results suggest that the TAE extract exhibits antioxidant and anti-apoptotic defense mechanisms against ISO-induced cardiac stress in Wistar albino rats.