Effects of Musa cavendish on Selected Physiological Parameters and Haematological Changes in Isoproterenol-Induced Myocardial Infarction in Wistar rats

Myocardial infarction (MI) is characterized by necrosis of heart muscle cells. Risk factors of MI include hypertension, diabetes mellitus and obesity which are derangements in blood pressure, blood glucose and body weight respectively. Haematological changes play a significant role in the pathophysiology and management of MI. Musa cavendish (MC) is known to exhibit some characteristics which may be protective in MI. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of MC on selected physiological parameters and deranged haematological indices in isoproterenol (ISP) induced MI in Wistar rats. This study employed an experimental design. Aqueous extraction of MC was carried out. 60 rats were randomly assigned into ten groups (n=6). The groups were Normal control which received distilled water; MC only (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively); MI control (ISP 85 mg/kg); Positive control (ISP + Propranolol 0.5 mg/kg); Aqueous extract of MC (ISP +100, 200 and 400 mg/kg). Blood samples were collected for biochemical analyses. Data analysis utilized one way ANOVA and tukey’s post hoc test with significance set at p<0.05. MC did not cause any significant change in blood pressure, blood glucose and heart rate of healthy animals. There was a decrease in total white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and platelet count and an increase in haemoglobin concentration after 4 weeks of treatment, when compared to control. MC thus reverses ISP induced derangements in PCV, Haemoglobin concentration, platelets, total white blood cell counts, neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes.