Effects of vitexin derived from Prosopis farcta in a rat model of experimental heart failure

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a chronic cardiovascular condition and remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide despite advances in pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Vitexin, a natural flavonoid derived from Prosopis farcta, has demonstrated cardioprotective effects in several cardiovascular conditions; however, its efficacy in HF remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the effects of vitexin in a rat model of HF. Method: Thirty male albino rats were randomly assigned to five groups ( n = 6 per group). Group I (negative control) received intraperitoneal isotonic saline for 7 days, followed by oral placebo for 14 days. Group II (positive control) received intraperitoneal isoprenaline (5 mg/kg/day) for 7 days to induce HF, followed by placebo for 14 days. The remaining 18 HF-induced rats also received isoprenaline for 7 days and were subsequently randomized into three treatment subgroups: vitexin (30 mg/kg/day, orally), digoxin (7 µg/kg/day, oral gavage), or carvedilol (5 mg/kg/day, oral gavage) for 14 days. The CODA tail-cuff system was used to measure blood pressure and heart rate on days 1, 7, and 14. At the end of the experiment, rats were anesthetized, and blood and 24-hour urine samples were collected to assess cardiac biomarkers (troponin-I, B-type natriuretic peptide, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, matrix metalloproteinase-9, alkaline phosphatase, and creatine phosphokinase) and renal function parameters. Results: Isoprenaline-induced HF significantly increased cardiac biomarkers, impaired renal function, and reduced systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures. Vitexin significantly improved cardiac biomarkers, renal function parameters, and blood pressure, while heart rate remained unchanged. Digoxin and carvedilol also improved these parameters. Conclusion: Vitexin derived from P. farcta exhibited cardioprotective and renoprotective characteristics in a rat model of HF, and the observed therapeutic effects were comparable to those of the reference treatments evaluated in this study; these findings support further preclinical and clinical investigations to evaluate the therapeutic potential of vitexin.