Progression of electrophysiological impairments in diabetic cardiomyopathy and intervention using Enicostemma axillare

Earlier studies widely reported advanced ventricular impairments only at the later stages of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). The present study aimed to understand the duration-based early to late stages of cardiac electrophysiological impairments using electrocardiography (ECG) and intervention using <i>Enicostemma axillare</i> subsp. <i>littorale</i>. The experimental rats were streptozotocin (SZ)-induced diabetic rats that were administered <i>E. axillare</i> formulations as follows: (1) normal; (2) SZ - 40 mg/kg, single, i.p.); (3) SZ + insulin (2 U/day) + losartan (10 mg/kg); (4) SZ + insulin + losartan + <i>E. axillare</i> decoction (2 mL/day); (5) SZ + <i>E. axillare</i> decoction; (6) SZ + <i>E. axillare</i> (low dose-500 mg/kg), and (7) SZ + <i>E. axillare</i> (high dose-2 g/kg). Steady hyperglycemia was witnessed until day 5 followed by various elevated patterns until day 60 in the SZ group that was potentially treated with <i>E. axillare</i> formulations from day 20. ECG (lead II) revealed early significantly impaired ventricular events, namely widened QRS complex, elevated R-amplitude, and prolonged R-R interval from day 10 that were regulated using <i>E. axillare</i> decoction. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed a strong relationship between basal blood glucose (day 0) and impaired ECG parameters. This duration-based study therefore illustrated the progression of glycemic shifts, ventricular impairments, and their correlation besides establishing the interventional potential of <i>E. axillare</i> subsp. <i>littorale</i> towards these impairments associated with DCM. These glycemic-ECG impairments were substantiated by the increased blood HbA1c, serum NT-pro BNP, and LDH levels that were ameliorated by <i>E. axillare</i> subsp. <i>littorale</i> decoction. It was concluded that <i>E. axillare</i> subsp. <i>littorale</i> can restore early ventricular depolarization impairments, marking it as the reversible hypertrophic cardiomyopathic stage towards intervention in DCM.