Therapeutic Effect of Echium amoenum on Isoproterenol-Induced Heart Failure in Male Rat

Echium amoenum has shown anti-inflammatory and antioxidants properties and is suggested for heart disease in Persian medicine. To evaluate its cardioprotective effects, 50 male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: control (normal saline), isoproterenol (negative control), and three experimental groups (E. amoenum aqueous extract with daily doses of 150, 300 and 450 mg/kg). All rats, except the control group, were administered isoproterenol (150 mg/kg subcutaneously), for two consecutive days to induce heart failure. From the third day until ninth, treatment groups received the extract by gavage. The animals rested for one week. On the 17th day, they were anesthetized; blood samples were collected after echocardiography to measure CK (creatine kinase), LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), troponin, MDA (Malondialdehyde), NO (nitrogen oxide), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). Pathological specimens were collected from the heart. Administration of 150, 300 and 450 mg/kg E. amoenum extract increased the ejection fraction significantly; fractional shortening increased significantly only at 300 mg/kg. The dose of 450 mg/kg decreased the CK-MB and troponin levels. All doses decreased LDH. Administration of 450 mg/kg extract increase SOD and GPX level compared to the control and isoproterenol group. In addition, 300 and 450 mg/kg extract resulted in a significant decrease in NO and MDA levels compared to the isoproterenol group.  Echium amoenum (300 mg/kg) reduced the percentage of tissue fibrosis. Echium amoenum has a significant effect on the protection of heart failure induced by isoproterenol.