Extracts of Crataegus oxyacantha and Rosmarinus officinalis Attenuate Ischemic Myocardial Damage by Decreasing Oxidative Stress and Regulating the Production of Cardiac Vasoactive Agents

Numerous studies have supported a role for oxidative stress in the development of ischemic damage and endothelial dysfunction. ( ) and ( ) extracts are polyphenolic-rich compounds that have proven to be efficient in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. We studied the effect of extracts from and on the myocardial damage associated with the oxidative status and to the production of different vasoactive agents. Rats were assigned to the following groups: (a) sham; (b) vehicle-treated myocardial infarction (MI) (MI-V); (c) extract-treated myocardial infarction (MI- ); (d) extract-treated myocardial infarction (MI- ); or (e) -treated myocardial infarction (MI- ). and treatments increased total antioxidant capacity, the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD)-Cu /Zn , SOD-Mn , and catalase, with the subsequent decline of malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels. The extracts diminished vasoconstrictor peptide levels (angiotensin II and endothelin-1), increased vasodilators agents (angiotensin 1-7 and bradikinin) and improved nitric oxide metabolism. Polyphenol treatment restored the left intraventricular pressure and cardiac mechanical work. We conclude that and treatment attenuate morphological and functional ischemic-related changes by both an oxidant load reduction and improvement of the balance between vasoconstrictors and vasodilators.