Investigation of the effect of the aqueous extract of the root of Prosopis farcta plant on the function of the isolated hearts of rats under ischemia - reperfusion condition

Prosopis farcta plant is used traditionally in several parts of the country. Due to lack of scientific information on the cardiovascular effects of this plant, especially during ischemia - reperfusion and the importance of the issue, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of Prosopis farcta root extract on the isolated hearts of rats under ischemia-reperfusion condition. This experimental study included 58 rats which were divided into perfusion and ischemia-reperfusion groups. The hearts of the animals were isolated and then subjected to ischemia and reperfusion in langendorff setup, after baseline step. Parameters of cardiac function, including heart rate, left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), rate pressure product (RPP) and coronary flow (CF) were assessed. The results showed that administration of aqueous extract of Prosopis farcta plant significantly reduced cardiac parameters including RPP (p=0.0242) and CF (p=0.0113) in perfusion group, and also exacerbated cardiac damage (RPP) induced by ischemia in the ischemic group compared to the control group (p= 0.0126). Considering the inhibitory effect of Prosopis farcta root extract on cardiac function, this plant may have useful effect on lowering blood pressure, but owing to its undesirable effects following myocardial ischemia, its administration is not recommended in these cases. The present results were not consistent with previous reports on nitric oxide dependent vasodilatory effect of this plant, and investigation of the compounds of this plant in different regions of the country is recommended in the future studies.