Ameliorative effect of Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) on chemically induced arrhythmias in Rats

authors:

avatar Negin Amini 1 , avatar Mahin Dianat 2 , *

Student Research Committee, Science and Religion Work Group, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Department of Physiology, Persian Gulf Physiology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

how to cite: Amini N, Dianat M. Ameliorative effect of Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) on chemically induced arrhythmias in Rats. Jundishapur J Physiol. 2018;1(1):e148264. 

Abstract

Introduction: Antioxidant factors play an important role in cardiovascular diseases. Medicinal plants are considered as suitable replacement for chemical drugs. Hydro-alcoholic extract of Cynara scolymus L. (artichoke) was effective in the treatment of different diseases due to its strong antioxidant properties. This study was designed to examine the ameliorative effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of artichoke against CaCl2 induced arrhythmia in rats.
Materials and methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (200-250 g) were divided into 5 groups: Control (saline 1 ml/kg, gavage, 21 days), Extract (100, 200, 400 mg/kg, gavage, 21 days) and Amiodarone (10 mg/kg, i.v). The rats were anesthetized and the antidysrhythmic effects induced by CaCl2 (140 mg/kg) injection was evaluated. Lead II was recorded at the first and the last days of the experimental period. Heart rate (HR), incidence rate of premature ventricular beats (PVB), ventricular fibrillation (VF) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) were calculated and the data obtained from extract groups were compared to those from the amiodarone group. Results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and FISHER exact test. Level of statistical significance was set at P<0.05.
Results: Significant decreases in VPB, VF and VT were observed with artichoke extract, at doses 100, 200, 400 mg/kg compared to the control group. The highest activity of the extract was at the dose of 200 mg/kg. Also, a dramatic decline was observed in the heart rate of the extract treatment groups.
Conclusion: This study illustrated the antiarrhythmic properties of hydro-alcoholic extract of artichoke. According to the results, this substance is recommended as an antiarrhythmic agent that could be used in the treatment of heart diseases.