Abstract
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.