ISSN 2149-2263 | E-ISSN 2149-2271
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Protective effects of Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) extract against digoxin-induced arrhythmias in rats [Anatol J Cardiol]
Anatol J Cardiol. 2015; 15(12): 970-975 | DOI: 10.5152/akd.2014.5869

Protective effects of Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) extract against digoxin-induced arrhythmias in rats

Hayrullah Alp1, Burak Cem Soner2, Tamer Baysal3, Ayşe Saide Şahin2
1Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Malatya State Hospital, Malatya-Turkey
2Department of Clinic Pharmacology, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya-Turkey
3Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya-Turkey

Objective: Digitalis preparations are commonly used by children and adults with heart diseases worldwide, although excessive doses may cause cardiac effects. The aim of the study is to evaluate the antiarrhythmic effect of Crataegus oxyacantha extract on digoxin-induced arrhythmias in anesthetized Wistar rats. Methods: Control and experimental groups were evaluated for arrhythmias induced by digoxin. Fifteen rats (7 as controls and 8 as the experimental group) were included in the study. The dry fruits of 100 mg Crataegus oxyacantha were extracted by percolation method. Digoxin, at a dose of 40 µg/kg/min, was infused to form the arrhythmias in all rats. Simultaneously, the extract was infused into the experimental group, while 0.9% NaCl was infused into control group. Electrocardiographic QRS prolongation and arterial blood pressure changes were analyzed. Results: The experimental group lived longer (62.13±2.20 min) than the controls (p=0.002). On the other hand, the time to beginning of QRS prolongation did not differ between the two groups (p=0.812). Bradycardia was significant in the control group (288.01±10.54 beat/min and p=0.01). The maximum QRS duration was observed in the control group during the digoxin and 0.9% NaCl infusion period (53.29±3.99 ms and p=0.001). Also, the durations of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias were shorter in the experimental group. However, arterial blood pressure dipping was significant in the experimental group (23.67±10.89 mm Hg and p<0.001). Conclusion: Crataegus oxyacantha alcoholic extract produced an antiarrhythmic effect that was induced by digoxin in Wistar rats. However, in the clinical use of this extract, the hypotensive effect should be considered. Also, the alcoholic extract of Crataegus oxyacantha may be an alternative treatment medication for arrhythmias induced by digoxin toxicity in humans.

Keywords: crataegus oxyacantha, digoxin, arrhythmia, antiarrhythmic effect, hypotension

Hayrullah Alp, Burak Cem Soner, Tamer Baysal, Ayşe Saide Şahin. Protective effects of Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) extract against digoxin-induced arrhythmias in rats. Anatol J Cardiol. 2015; 15(12): 970-975
Manuscript Language: English


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