Effect of Hemidesmus indicus on ischemia–reperfusion injury in the isolated rat heart

The root extract of Hemidesmus indicus (Linn.) R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae) (HI) was studied for its cardioprotective effect in Langendorff-perfused rat hearts. HI was perfused for 15 min at a concentration of 0.09 g/L prior to 30 min global ischemia/120 min reperfusion (I/R). Recovery of functional parameters, reperfusion arrhythmias, and infarct size (TTC staining) served as the end-points. After 15 min of perfusion with HI, the left ventricular developed pressure (LVdevP) and HR (heart rate) were not altered significantly (p > 0.05), as compared with the pre-drug values. During R, HI showed a significantly higher (p < 0.05) recovery of LVdevP at nearly all time points. The recovery of maximal rate of pressure development (+dP/dtmax) and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) at 40 min of R were significantly better than in non-treated controls. There was also a significant reduction in the total number of ventricular premature beats (VPB) and duration of ventricular tachycardia (VT). HI can protect...