Cardiocurative effects of aqueous leaf extracts of Ximenia americana (linn.) and Pappea capensis (eckl. and zeyh.) against myocardial infarction in rats

Different plants are traditionally applied in the treatment of different diseases, including chest pains, hypertension, and inflammation, among others. This study scientifically evaluated the curative treatment effects of X. americana and P. capensis leaf aqueous extracts in rats induced with myocardial infarction. The rats were randomly distributed as follows: Normal control group, consisting of rats treated with oral normal saline; Negative control group, comprising rats induced with MI and treated with normal saline; Positive control group, consisting of rats induced with MI and orally treated with propranolol (10 mg/Kg bw); and three experimental groups consisting rats induced with MI and treated with plant extracts at dose levels 150, 200 and 250 mg/kg bw. This study’s findings demonstrated that there was a significant reduction in the amounts of cTnT, LDH, CK-MB, T-cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, and malondialdehyde, as well as a significant increase in levels of HDL, catalase, SOD, and glutathione peroxidase among rats treated with propranolol and plant extracts as compared to the negative control rats. Additionally, LC-MS analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, and phenolics, which could explain the observed cardiocurative effects. This study concluded that aqueous leaf extracts of X. americana and P. capensis possess cardiocurative activities in rats with myocardial infarction. However, further studies on isolated fractions of the phytochemicals present are recommended. This study provides preliminary data useful in the development of pure and safe cardioactive compounds.