Objective: Diabetic cardiomyopathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes. Escin may significantly inhibit myocardial damage through its NF-κβ inhibitory, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, and potent anti-inflammatory activity. Hence, the study was carried out to evaluate the effect of escin in diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Methods: Diabetes induction was done in rats with streptozotocin. After six weeks of induction, diabetic animals were administered with escin (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) for the next four weeks.
Results: Escin prevented the progression of abnormalities in the biochemical, hemodynamic parameters and electrocardiogram. Escin also prevented the progression of abnormality in the oxidative stress parameters. The expression of NF-κβ and MCP-1 was significantly reduced with escin treatment. Furthermore, escin also prevented damage to myocardial cells and reduced collagen deposition in the cardiomyocytes.
Conclusion: Escin prevented the progression of cardiomyopathy in diabetic rats. Hence escin can be an alternative option for the management of diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Keywords: Escin; NF-κβ; diabetic cardiomyopathy; horse chestnut; pentacyclic triterpenes.