Bacopa monniera extract mitigates isoproterenol-induced cardiac stress via Nrf2/Keap1/NQO1 mediated pathway

Abstract

The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of standardised hydroalcoholic extract of Bacopa monniera (BME) against isoproterenol (ISO) induced cardiac stress. Isoproterenol (85 mg/kg body weight) was administered intraperitoneally to induce cardiac stress in rats. Bacopa monniera extract (BME75 and 150 mg/kg) was orally administered for 21 days followed by ISO on 22nd and 23rd experimental days. ISO caused significant cardiac damage, which was concomitant with increased apoptosis and attenuated expressions of Nrf2, HO-1, and regulating apoptotic protein expressions of Bax, Bcl2 and NOS2. Treatment with BME in rats significantly improved cardiac dysfunction by maintaining cardiac rhythm, myocardial integrity. Decreased oxidative stress by restored expressions of Nrf2, NQO1 and HO-1 followed by elevating antioxidant enzymes and total glutathione levels. Our present results suggest that the BME treatment strengthening the endogenous defence system through Nrf2 modulation and played a key role against cardiac oxidative stress induced by ISO in rats.

Keywords:

• Antioxidant
• Bacopa monniera
• cardiovascular stress
• electrocardiograph
• Isoproterenol
• Nrf2

Acknowledgements

All the authors are grateful to Director DFRL for providing constant support and necessary facilities to conduct the research work. Mohan Manu T is thankful to DST for providing INSPIRE Fellowship.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.