Catechism of protective potential of Areca catechu in Isoprenaline challenged Wistar rats

Areca catechu is an important ancient drug commonly known as Supari in ayurvedic system of medicine. A lot of research work has been done on Areca catechu regarding various cardiovascular disorders such as Hypertension, Arrhythmia but no work has been done to find out its cardioprotective activity. Experimental procedures done on Wistar Albino rats as Normal control group (NC) received 0.5ml of normal saline throughout the study and served as control. Isoprenaline group (ISO) received 0.5ml of normal saline throughout the experimental phase and received Isoprenaline (85mg/kg, s.c.) on 14th and 15th day at a time lapse of 24 hours. Standard group (STD) received Metoprolol (pure) (10mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 13 days and received Isoprenaline (85mg/kg, s.c.) on 14th and 15th day. Test group received Areca catechu extract (100mg/kg/day, p.o.) and (200 mg/kg/day, p.o.) respectively for 13 days and Isoprenaline (85mg/kg, s.c.) on 14th and 15th day. On 16thday animals were sacrificed. The level of marker enzyme in serum as AST, ALT, CK, LDH, Troponin-I have shown significant decrease (P<0.001) in rats pre-treated with Areca catechu when compared to toxic group. Further, histopathological examination showed the reduction of necrosis, edema and inflammation following Areca catechu pre-treatment. Findings revealed that Areca catechu may be a potential preventive and therapeutic agent against the myocardial necrosis associated ischemic heart disease. Thus, the aqueous ethanolic Areca catechu seeds extract could be recommended as a potential cardioprotective drug.