Cardio-Protection by Tamarindus indica Leaves: Mitigating Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Isoproterenol-Induced Mice

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) as a key independent risk factor. Objective: This study evaluates the cardioprotective potential of Tamarindus indica leaf extract (TILE) in mitigating isoproterenol-induced Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH), a critical risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Methods: The crude extract underwent phytochemical screening followed by total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, DPPH, and OH radical scavenging assays. Swiss albino mice with isoproterenol-induced LVH were treated orally with TILE (three doses) over four weeks. Key parameters, including lipid profiles (TC, TG, HDL, LDL), cardiac biomarkers (Troponin I), oxidative stress markers (SOD, CAT), liver and renal function (SGPT, SGOT, Serum Creatinine), LVW/BW ratio, and histopathology, were measured and compared with atorvastatin, which has been taken as a standard drug. Results: TILE showed considerable phenolic (29.69 ± 2.14 mg/g) and flavonoid contents (145.42 ± 7.58 mg/g) and potent antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 10.82 μg/mL (DPPH) and 17.86 μg/mL (OH radical scavenging assay). Isoproterenol elevated TC, TG, LDL cholesterol, Troponin I, SGPT, SGOT, and serum creatinine, while reducing HDL cholesterol, SOD, and catalase levels. TILE treatment reversed these changes significantly, demonstrating antioxidative and antihyperlipidemic properties, and reducing cardiac hypertrophy by improving the LVW/BW ratio. Conclusion: TILE exhibited significant cardioprotective effects against isoproterenol-induced LVH, which were associated with improvements in antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid profile parameters. However, further studies are required to elucidate the precise molecular mechanisms underlying these effects.