BIOCHEMICAL AND ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF CARDIOVASCULAR ACTIVITY OF AYURVEDIC PREPARATION ‘ARJUNARISTA’ IN RAT MODEL

Sharmin Zafar, Refaya Rezwan, Jakir Ahmed Chowdhury, Abu Asad Chowdhury, Shaila Kabir, Mohammad Abdur Rashid and Mohammad Shah Amran*

ABSTRACT

Background: Ayurvedic drugs, among other methods of treatments, are getting importance and reputation day by day because of their required pharmacological actions with fewer side effects. But prolonged and excessive usage may lead to harmful impacts such as damage of the heart muscles leading to various types of arrhythmias and coronary artery diseases. We have chosen a cardioactive Ayurvedic drug “Arjunaristaâ€Â which is mainly used for treatment of heart diseases. The active ingredient of this preparation is â€Å¾Arjuna‟ and it is mainly indicated for the treatment of coronary artery diseases, heart failure, edema, angina and hypercholesterolemia. Methods: In the present study, changes in electrocardiogram and serum lipid profile in Arjunarista pretreated rats at normal (0.28 mL/kg bw) and high dose (2.8 mL/kg bw) were studied before and after digoxin administration. Results: The study showed that pretreatment with Arjunarista had a definite, dose dependent modulatory effect on heart. Both normal (0.28 mL/kg bw) and high dose (2.8 mL/kg bw) of Arjuna pretreated groups offered better cardio-protection when subjected to digoxin induced arrhythmia. The results of lipid profile tests indicated that almost all the atherogenic indices were decreased along with total cholesterol level. Conclusions: It can be inferred that Arjuna pretreated rats demonstrated significant prevention of the risks of coronary heart diseases.

Keywords: Arjunarista, Electrocardiography, Cardiovascular Disease, Rat Model, Traditional Medicines, Arrhythmia, Lipid Profile.