Protective effect of Terminalia chebula against lysosomal enzyme alterations in isoproterenol-induced cardiac damage in rats.

BACKGROUND

Terminalia chebula is an ayurvedic drug recommended for the treatment of heart diseases. Earlier studies by the authors validated the beneficial cardioprotective effect of T chebula against isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of T chebula in protecting against isoproterenol-induced lysosomal membrane damage.

METHODS

Lysosomal enzyme activities from the serum, heart and lysosomal fractions were determined. The triphenyltetrazolium chloride assay was used to confirm the protective effect of T chebula on the myocardium.

RESULTS

Isoproterenol administration produced significant cardiac damage (as seen by the triphenyltetrazolium chloride assay) and significantly altered lysosomal enzyme activities. Pretreatment with an ethanol extract of T chebula was found to retain near normal activities of lysosomal enzymes in rats given T chebula or T chebula plus isoproterenol compared with rats given isoproterenol alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Pretreatment with T chebula extract stabilizes the lysosomal membrane and, thus, may have prevented myocardial damage.