Cardioprotective Effect of Terminalia Arjuna on Caffeine Induced Coronary Heart Disease

The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of bark extract of Terminalia arjuna (6.75mg/kg of body weight) on caffeine (10 mg/kg body weight) induced coronary heart disease. Male wistar rats weighing about 120 and 160g were used as the experimental animal for the study. Caffeine dissolved in physiological saline (Nacl) with a pH of 7.0 administered orally to wistar rats continuosly for about 14 days. Thereafter, all the animals at the end of experiment showed a significant elevation in level of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides and also a decreased level of HDL-cholesterol, (P< 0.01). When compared to the control rats, cotreatment of rats with caffeine and Terminalia arjuna resulted in an increase in HDL-cholesterol, decrease in serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and VLDL cholesterol as compared to caffeine treated animals with a significant of p<0.05. These findings suggest that the bark extract of Terminalia arjuna has protective effects against caffeine induced coronary heart disease and may have potential as a cardioprotective agent. INTRODUCTION: Caffeine is a trimethylxanthine, found in many everyday products like coffee, tea, kolanuts, chocolate, soda beverages, drugs etc. These are widely and immensely consumed. Its primary biological effect is the antagonism of the A1 and A2A subtypes of adenosine receptors 1, 2, 3 on the surface of heart muscle cells . Caffeine has been found to have various pharmacological and cellular responses in biological systems . These include stimulation of the central nervous system and cardiac muscle, increased urinary output, and relaxation of smooth muscles . However, consumption of caffeine increases urinary calcium levels and also causes irregular heart beat in cartain people . It has also found to cross the placenta and blood brain barriers . From other studies, high caffeine intake during pregnancy is associated with a risk factor for low birth weight 9, 10 and also doubles the risk and spontaneous abortion 11, . After ingestion of caffeine from coffee or other beverages, they are absorbed by the stomach and small intestine. Metabolism of caffeine takes place in the liver by the cytochrome P450 oxidase enzyme system. It results in the formation of three metabolite products 13 like paraxanthine, Theobromine and Theophylline. These are further metabolized and then excreted in the urine. Some reported that these active chemicals are responsible for the increase in serum cholesterol level after coffee consumption .