ANTI-ARRHYTHMIC ACTIVITY OF THE FRUIT OF Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn. ON THE HEART OF Daphnia carinata

Background: Plants have an important role as a source of useful compounds to mankind.Benincasa hispida (Thunb.)Cogn.belongs to Cucurbitaceae family is known as Neer Poosanikai in Tamil Nadu.Aim and objective: This study aims to evaluate anti-arrhythmic activity from ethanolic extract of the Benincasa hispida fruit (EEBHF) in lactose induced arrhythmic heart of the Daphnia carinata (water flea) along with preliminary acute toxicity assessment.Methods: EEBHF evaluated for in-vitro antioxidant by DPPH method and in-vivo lactose induced arrhythmic activity using Daphnia carinata. Results:The results for in-vitro antioxidant using various concentration of EEBHF (50, 100, 150, 200, 250 g/ml) were found to be 51.61 0.09, 62.93 0.22, 73.44 0.04, 81.89 0.09, 92.47 0.03.The results for in vivo antiarrhythmic activity using D. carinata was as follows, heartbeat of control, disease control and lactose induced EEBHF (20, 40, 60, 80 g/ml) treated were found to be 192 1. 84, 94 1.26, 135 2.04, 155 1.84, 179 2.40, 188 2 (bpm) respectively.Standard drug metoprolol (25 g/ml) showed 190 1.26.The results were statistically significant (p<0.001). Discussion and Conclusion:It was concluded that the study indicates that the EEBHF possess potential cardio protective activity on the lactose induced arrhythmia of the D. carinata heart without any toxicity and mortality.It was assumed that this cardioprotective effects may be due to the presence of secondary metabolites and cucurbitacin and the influence of calcium, potassium, magnesium content present in the fruit.