Antiarrhythmic Effect of the Ethanol Extract of Pomegranate Mesocarp on Isolated Heart Following Ischemia and Reperfusion

Aims: Ischemic heart disease is the most prevalent cause of mortality in current populations. In recent years, many researchers have focused on plants to discover new natural therapeutic agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiarrhythmic effect of the ethanolic extract of pomegranate mesocarp on rat isolated heart following myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. Materials & Methods: The hearts from Wistar rats were removed under deep anesthesia and were studied using Langendorff apparatus. The control and the test animals, in groups of 10, were gavaged with distilled water or the ethanol extract of pomegranate juice (200 mg/kg), respectively, daily for 3 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, the isolated hearts of the animals were studied. After 30 min stabilization, all hearts experienced 30 min global ischemia followed by 90 min reperfusion. Cardiac arrhythmias including single, salvo, ventricular tachycardia (VT), and ventricular fibrillation (VF) were characterized according to the guidelines of Lambeth Convention. Findings: The ethanolic extract of pomegranate mesocarp caused a remarkable significant reduction in all kinds of arrhythmias including single, salvo, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. Conclusion: The results of this research suggest promising protective effects for the ethanolic extract of pomegranate mesocarp against ischemia and reperfusion induced arrhythmias in isolated rat heart.