Caesalpinia digyna root extract and bergenin alleviate myocardial infarction in rats by modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrotic pathways

Objective: To evaluate the cardioprotective potential of Caesalpinia digyna root extract (CDRE) and its major bioactive constituent, bergenin, against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. Methods: CDRE was prepared via methanolic extraction and standardized using RP-HPLC. MI was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by ISO administration. Animals were pretreated with the extract and bergenin prior to the ISO challenge. Cardioprotective effects were assessed by measuring serum cardiac biomarkers, evaluating myocardial hypertrophy, inflammation, and fibrosis, and determining the expression of Nrf2, FGF21, NF-κΒ p65, and brain natriuretic peptide. Results: Pretreatment with the CDRE and bergenin significantly attenuated ISO-induced MI, as evidenced by reduced creatine kinase-MB and lactate dehydrogenase levels and improved histopathological architecture. CDRE and bergenin markedly alleviated myocardial hypertrophy, inflammatory infiltration, and fibrotic changes. They also upregulated Nrf2 and FGF21 expression, and downregulated NF-κB p65 and brain natriuretic peptide expression. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate significant cardioprotective effects of CDRE and bergenin, by modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrotic pathways, validating its traditional use for the management of MI.