title: Prolongation of AV nodal refractoriness by Ruta graveolens in isolated rat hearts. Potential role as an anti-arrhythmic agent.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate concentration-dependent effects of total extract of Ruta graveolens and its purified alkaloid fraction on the nodal basic and functional properties.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present experimental study, we used the Langendorff model for perfusion of isolated rat hearts to determine the effects of various concentrations of methanolic extract of Rue (1.25 x 10(-6) % weight per volume percent [W/V]; 2.5 x 10(-6) % W/V; 3.75 x 10(-6) % W/V) and total alkaloid of Rue (0.25 x 10(-6) % W/V; 0.5 x 10(-6) % W/V) on electrophysiological properties of cardiac tissue. Selective stimulation protocols were used to independently quantify atrioventricular AV nodal recovery, facilitation, and fatigue. We used 3 groups (N=24) of isolated perfused rat AV nodal preparations to assess the effect of Rue extracts. The study was carried out in October 2006 in the electrophysiology laboratory of the Cardiovascular Research Center of Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Golestan, Gorgan, Iran.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results showed that both the total plant extract and the alkaloid fraction of Ruta graveolens had a similar trend of action on nodal conduction time and refractoriness. Furthermore, we observed increased atrioventricular conduction time (83+/-4 to 108+/-5) msec and functional refractory period (157.6+/-3 to 163.7+/-4 msec) at a maximum concentration of 3.75 x 10(-6) % W/V.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The above results indicated a potential antiarrhythmic effect of Ruta graveolens in treating supra ventricular tachyarrhythmia.
authors.affiliation: Golestan Cardiovascular Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Golestan, Gorgan, Iran. vaph99@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Vahid
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Khori
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nayebpour
authors.forename: Shahryar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Semnani
authors.forename: Mohammad J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Golalipour
authors.forename: Abdoljalal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marjani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D001283:Atrioventricular Node / Q000187:drug effects*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D032105:Ruta; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts