Micronized flavonoid fraction Daflon 500 protects heart against ischemia–reperfusion injury: an old medicine for a new target

The effects of flavonoids, in the medical formulation Daflon 500 mg (DAF) in protection of the heart against ischemia/reperfusion are not completely understood. Heart function data from Langendorff perfused Wistar rat hearts (n = 8/group) were digitally computed, and the infarct size was evaluated using 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and cardiac enzyme levels. The total oxidants (TOS) and antioxidants (TAS) levels as well as pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines levels were estimated by TOS and TAS assay kits and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were evaluated using RANDOX kits. Longtime treatment of DAF for 2 or 4 weeks normalized cardiac hemodynamics, vascular dynamics, and heart contractility. A significant reduction in the infarct size and cardiac enzyme levels (P < .05) was produced by DAF treatment. Short time infusion of DAF two hours before inducing ischemia yielded similar results. DAF treatment significantly (P < .05) decreased TOS levels in the perfusion effluent and increased SOD levels in the cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, treatment with DAF prevents the deterioration of cardiac function and ischemic injury caused by oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines. The protective effects of DAF are possibly due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.