Protective effect of commercial extracts of oregano (Lippia graveolens) against cardiac ischemia-reperfusion damage

Cardiac ischemia includes severe damage to heart muscle tissue due to decreased or cessation of blood flow, which involves failure to supply nutrients and oxygenation to heart cells. Causes can include blockages due to fat and cholesterol deposits. These damages include cell apoptosis, calcium and sodium concentration imbalance, loss of contraction force, and formation of reactive oxygen species. In the present work, oregano extracts administered to Wistar rats were tested. After 15 days of treatment, the hearts were extracted and the pharmacological response was evaluated in Langendorff isolated perfused heart assay. Left ventricular contractility and perfusion pressure were evaluated before and after inducing an ischemia-reperfusion event by administering three different drugs to stimulate said response. The results, expressed as a percentage of loss of cardiac functionality, suggest a protective effect against cardiac damage in those hearts treated with the extracts after each event. Key words: Wistar rats, cardiac ischemia, Langendorff, oregano extracts.