Cardioprotective effect of apigenin and carvedilol against isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats

Myocardial infarction remains one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity globally. While apigenin (AP), a trihydroxyflavone, and carvedilol, a beta blocker, have both been utilized in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. There is a notable lack of comprehensive research or limited data regarding their combined cardioprotective activity. This gap emphasizes the need for further investigation into the potential synergistic effects of AP and carvedilol in the context of myocardial infarction. This study aims to evaluate the cardioprotective effect of AP and carvedilol in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used and divided into five groups (<i>n</i> = 6). Isoproterenol (85 mg/kg/s.c.) was administered to induce myocardial infarction. AP (50 mg/kg/day/p.o) and carvedilol (5 mg/kg/day/p.o) were administered to rats for 14 days, along with Isoproterenol on the 15th and 16th days. Various parameters were estimated, including biochemical markers, cardiac markers, oxidative stress markers, antioxidants, and lipid profiles, to observe the effects of flavonoids and drugs. Administration of Isoproterenol showed changes in physical parameters, significantly elevated levels of serum biochemical markers, cardiac markers, oxidative stress markers, lipid profile, and decreased antioxidant enzymes. Treatment with AP and carvedilol diminished these changes very significantly. Histopathological examination of heart tissue in isoproterenol-induced rats showed necrotic lesions, which were reduced by the treatment with test drugs alone and in combination. Our study demonstrated that AP alone and in combination with carvedilol showed cardioprotective activity over isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats. Further investigations are needed to explore the underlying mechanism.