Kalanchoe pinnata aqueous extract efficacy against myocardial infarction and effects on three cardio-metabolic biomarkers in NaCl-overloaded rat

Cardiovascular diseases are among the causes of global mortality in the world with hypertension and myocardial infarction being one of the key risk factors. Kalanchoe pinnata is a plant that has shown antihypertensive and cardioprotective effects in rat model. This research aimed at investigating the cardioprotective effect of Kalanchoe pinnata on concurrent NaCl overloading and myocardial infarction condition in rats. Thirty animals both males and females were divided into 5 groups of 6 animals each, a normal/neutral control, negative control group, positive control group and two groups that received two doses of the leaf aqueous extract (100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg). Hypertension was induced by excess salt loading (18%NaCl) meanwhile myocardial infarction was induced by subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol (100 mg/kg). Levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein and cardiac troponin were determined using commercial kits. Administration of excess NaCl concurrently with isoproterenol caused a significant 82% elevation in triglyceride levels. Both doses of the extract reduced non-significantly the level of triglycerides, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein. Meanwhile the level of troponin was also significantly elevated (P<0.001) in the negative control group (2.49±0.21 ng/dL) compared to the normal (0.49±0.04 ng/dL). Cardiac troponin level was significantly reduced (P<0.05) by 52% in the extract treated groups compared to the negative control. Examination of heart tissues revealed damages in the negative control group meanwhile positive control and groups that received the extract showed no damage. Therefore, Kalanchoe pinnata is efficacious in preventing myocardial infarction even in salt loaded rats.