Effects of Aerobic Exercise and Ethanolic Extract of Purslane Seed on Markers of Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage in Cardiac Tissue of Rats Poisoned with Hydrogen Peroxide

 Oxidative stress is the most important pathophysiological cause of diseases. Studies have shown that exercise and supplementation with medicinal plants have limited side effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate effects of aerobic exercise and ethanolic extract of purslane seed on ATP, O-6-Methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), malondialdehyde (MDA) and prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) levels in the heart tissue of rats poisoned with hydrogen peroxide.

In this experimental trial, 72 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into nine groups: (1) control + H2O2 , (2) aerobic exercise, (3) aerobic exercise and 50 mg/kg purslane seed extract, (4) aerobic exercise and 200 mg/kg purslane seed extract, (5) aerobic exercise and 400 mg/kg purslane seed extract, (6) 50 mg/kg purslane seed extract, (7) 200 mg/kg purslane seed extract, (8) 400 mg/kg purslane seed extract, and (9) healthy control. Oxidative stress was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 1 mmol/kg hydrogen peroxide three times a week for eight weeks. Aerobic exercise was performed three sessions a week for eight weeks, and the purslane seed extract was intraperitoneally injected daily at the mentioned doses.

Aerobic exercise and purslane seed extract alone or combined significantly increased ATP, MGMT and significantly reduced MDA and PAB levels in cardiac tissue of rats exposed to hydrogen peroxide (P<0.05). Moreover, the effect of purslane seed extract was dose dependent.

It seems that aerobic exercise and purslane seed extract supplementation have synergistic cardioprotective effects under oxidative stress.