Withania somnifera provides cardioprotection and attenuates ischemia-reperfusion induced apoptosis.
OBJECTIVE
The present study was undertaken to evaluate the cardioprotective mechanisms of Withania somnifera (Ws), in the setting of ischemia and reperfusion (IR) injury.


METHODS
Wistar rats were divided into three groups and received orally saline (sham, control IR) and Ws-50 mg/kg (Ws-IR), respectively, for 1 month. On the 31st day, in the rats of control IR and Ws-IR group, LAD coronary artery occlusion was undertaken for 45 min followed by 1 h reperfusion. Subsequently, all the animals were sacrificed for biochemical, immunohistochemical {Bax and Bcl-2 protein}, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) positivity and histopathological studies.


RESULTS
Post-ischemic reperfusion injury resulted in significant cardiac necrosis, apoptosis, decline in antioxidant status and elevation in lipid peroxidation in the IR control group as compared to sham. Ws prior-treatment favorably restored the myocardial oxidant-antioxidant balance, exerted marked anti-apoptotic effects {upregulated Bcl-2 (p<0.001) protein, decreased Bax (p<0.01) protein, and attenuated TUNEL positivity (p<0.01)}, and reduced myocardial damage as evidenced by histopathologic evaluation.


CONCLUSIONS
The antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties of Ws may contribute to the cardioprotective effects.
Mohanty
Ipseeta Ray
IR
Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 29, India.
Arya
Dharamvir Singh
DS
Gupta
Suresh Kumar
SK
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009336:Necrosis; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D032341:Withania / Q000737:chemistry*; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein