Administration of aqueous extract of Desmodium gangeticum (L) root protects rat heart against ischemic reperfusion injury induced oxidative stress.

Myocardial reperfusion is believed to be associated with free radical injury. The present study evaluates the effect of aqueous extract of D. gangeticum (DG) on lipid peroxides and antioxidants in ischemic reperfused (IR) Wistar albino male rats. Significant elevation in lipid peroxide products (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) and decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase) were observed in the rat hearts during ischemia reperfusion phase. Pre treatment of rats with aqueous extract of DG orally for 30 days showed significantly improved preservation of antioxidant enzymes and subsequent reduction in lipid peroxidation. But 2,3,5 triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) stained rat heart did not show much significant antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation. On the other hand, TTC unstained rat heart showed significant improvement in the antioxidant activities indicating cardio protective effect of aqueous extract of DG in myocardium affected by ischemia reperfusion insult. The administration of DG to normal rats did not have any significant effect on any of the parameter studied. These results indicate that DG improves the antioxidant capacity of heart and attenuate the degree of lipid peroxidation after IR.