Methanol leaf extract of Azadirachta indica mitigates isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction through the modulation of oxidative stress, and PPARα and BCL2 signaling in rats

Abstract

Objective: Evaluation of Azadirachta indica’s potential on the modulation of blood pressure parameters, antioxidant defense status, as well as immunohistochemical expressions of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2) in rats exposed to isoproterenol was the objective of this study. Materials and Methods: Fifty rats (Rattus norvegicus) of the Wistar strain were used, with myocardial infarction induced by intraperitoneal administration of isoproterenol (ISO) for two consecutive days. Cardiac and renal biomarkers of oxidative stress, blood pressure parameters, electrocardiography, and immunohistochemical staining of PPARα and BCL2 were performed. Results: ISO toxicity heightened blood pressure parameters, aggravated oxidative processes, declined antioxidant defense system, and decreased immunohistochemical expressions of PPARα and BCL2. Interestingly, A. indica improved antioxidant status, lowered free radical generation, mitigated serum myeloperoxidase and xanthine oxidase activities, respectively. Conclusion: Mitigation of oxidative mechanisms and antihypertensive effects of Azadirachta indica suggest a positive modulatory role for the medicinal plant in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction.