Pharmacodynamic interaction of Terminalia arjuna (Roxb) with Ocimum sanctum (Linn) in Isoproterenol induced cardiac necrosis

Herbal drugs are used widely even when their biologically active compounds are unknown, probably because of their effectiveness, lesser side effects and affordability. In the present study we investigated the potential cardio- protective effect of combination of standardized extracts of Terminalia arjuna and Ocimum sanctum in isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction. Myocardial infarction was induced in rats by subcutaneous injection of Isoproterenol for two consecutive days at an interval of 24h. Rats were pre-treated with test drugs for the period of 21 days and Isoproterenol was administered on 20 and 21st day. At the end of experiment i.e on 22nd day hemodynamic, biochemical and histopathological study of heart tissue were evaluated from control and experimental groups. Isoproterenol treated animals showed significant increase in heart rate and cardiac biomarkers. Whereas, mean arterial blood pressure and antioxidant parameters were significantly decreased. Animals administered with different combinations of standardized extracts of Terminalia arjuna and Ocimum sanctum significantly maintained the levels of cardiac biomarkers, antioxidant parameters, mean arterial pressure and heart rate. Histopathology study showed marked myocardial necrosis in Isoproterenol treated animals and significant cardiac protection of animals treated with extract combinations. Hence, we may conclude that herb- herb combinations were found to be effective in prevention of myocardial injury induced by isoproterenol.