Abstract

INVESTIGATE ON THE LEAVES OF CINCHONA OFFICINALIS L – IT’S DISTINCT IN VIVO REVERSAL OF TACHYCARDIA INDUCED BY SYNTHETIC CATHINONES ON MICROCRUSTACEAN DAPHNIA MAGNA ARRHYTHMIC HEART.

Pradeepa Ramar*

Abstract

Objective: To screen the invivo cardio protective potential of alkaloid enriched fraction of the leaves Cinchona officinalis L Family Rubiaceae using the model organism Daphnia magna along with acute toxicity assessment. Method: The cardioprotective effect of ethanolic extract (EE) of leaves C.officinalis in vivo syntheticcathinone induced cardiac arrhythmia on the myogenic heart of D.magna (water flea) innovative model system for studying chronotropic and inotropic effects and its effectiveness comparable to currently available therapeutic agent verapamil (1.5μM).Video microscopy and digital image processing were used to study the pharmacological effects on the heart. Initialy, the leaves extracted with ethanol and separate the alkaloidal enriched fraction, acute toxicity assessment were determined. HPTLC profile of EE C.officinalis showed the presence of the presence of Rutin (2mg/g), Quinine (1.5mg/g), Gallic acid (1.12mg/g), and Quercetin (2.4mg/g). Results: Normal heart beat of the D.magna at 20±2°C was found to be 215 beats/min. Arrhythmia was induced by synthetic cathinone (2μM) in the bathing medium. The EE of the leaves of C.officinalis (0.5, 1.0, 1.5μg/ml) prevented the synthetic cathinone induced arrhythmia in dose dependent manner. Assessment of acute toxicity showed LC50 of EE C.officinalis 1.5μg/ml. C.officinalis is economically potential species. Conclusion: EE of the leaves of C.officinalis may be therapeutically effective agent on arrhythmic heart without toxicity. We also assumed that the cardio protection may be due do the presence of quinine, rutin, quercetin. We recommend further investigations in animal model and clinical trials to confirm this potential therapeutic effect.

Keywords: Cinchona officinalis, Rubiaceae, cardiac protection, Daphnia magna, Alkaloid.