Protective Effects of Sauropus Androgynus Leaf Extract against Isoproterenol Induced Cardiotoxicity.

The current research work focuses on the identification of cardioprotective effect of the ethanolic extract of Sauropus androgynus (EESA) leaves. Sauropus androgynus leaves are being utilized in folk and ayurvedic medicines in India to treat cardiovascular diseases like myocardial infraction, atherosclerosis, and venous thrombosis. However, the cardioprotective effects associated with the leaf extract of this plant has not yet been established. METHODS: The identification of cardioprotective effects of the ethanolic extract of Sauropus androgynus (EESA) leaves was performed using in vitro and in vivo models. The cell culture studies were performed using cardio myoblast cells (H9C2) and in vivo cardioprotective effects of EESA was assessed in albino wistar rats employing isoproterenol (ISO) as cardiotoxic agent. The animals were divided into six treatment groups and myocardial infraction was induced at 14th day followed by the treatment with therapeutic doses of EESA (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) for next two days. Various biochemical and histopathological parameters were evaluated in animals kept under control and treatment groups. RESULTS: The in vitro cell line studies revealed a positive impact on H9C2 cells. The ethanolic extract of Sauropus androgynus depicted low toxicity on cardiomyoblast cells and significant proliferation was observed after treatment. The results from animal studies have shown 1.7 times reduction in serum LDH (151.9 ± 1.302) and CPK (237.6 ± 5.781) levels with EESA treated groups compared to toxic control. EESA also significantly increased the antioxidant enzyme levels, which are responsible for cardioprotective effects in animals. CONCLUSION: This research study reveals that EESA possess antioxidant activity and also provides a protective role against myocardial infarction induced by ISO. We conclude that EESA could be a potential candidate to prevent and treat cardiotoxic consequences of high catecholamine levels.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Seeded Decellularized Tendon Scaffold for Tissue Engineering.

Tendon is a collagenous tissue to connect bone and muscle. Healing of damaged/injured tendon is the primary clinical challenge in musculoskeletal regeneration because they often react poorly to treatment. Tissue engineering (a triad strategy of scaffolds, cells and growth factors) may have the potential to improve the quality of tendon tissue healing under such impaired situations. Tendon tissue engineering aims to synthesize graft alternatives to repair the injured tendon. Biological scaffolds derived from decellularized tissue may be a better option as their biomechanical properties are similar to the native tissue. This review is designed to provide background information on the current challenges in curing torn/worn out the tendon and the clinical relevance of decellularized scaffolds for such applications.