CARDIOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF MORUS ALBA L. LEAVES IN ISOPRENALINE INDUCED RATS

The study was designed to evaluate the cardioprotective effect of methanolic extract of Morus alba L. leaves against isoprenaline- induced myocardial infarction and was investigated by an in vivo method in rats. Male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups (n=6). Group I rats served as normal control. Group II rats served as isoprenaline induced toxic control (110 mg/kg body weight) which was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) for two consecutive days (14^th and 15^th days). Group III rats were given Morus alba intragastric intubation (500 mg/kg body weight) for 15 days. Group IV rats were also given Morus alba as in Group III and additionally isoprenaline was given for two consecutive days (14^th and 15^th days).The results described the cardioprotective effect that was observed in Group IV which showed a significant (P< 0.05) decreased levels of TBARS and enhanced the activities of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants (SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH) in myocardial infarcted rats when compared to Groups II and III. In serum, the biomarkers (LDH, CK) activities were significantly (P< 0.05) increased in Group II compared to pretreated Group IV. Histopathological studies were also co-relating with the above biochemical parameters. These findings concluded the cardioprotective effect of Morus alba on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense system during isoprenaline -induced myocardial infarction in rats.