ORIGINAL RESEARCH

 

Cardiotoxic effects of pavetamine extracted from Pavetta harborii in the rat

 

 

L. Hay^I; R.A. Schultz^II; P.J. Schutte^I

^IDepartment of Physiology, University of Limpopo, Medunsa Campus, P.O. Box 130, Medunsa, 0204 South Africa
^IISection of Toxicology, Private Bag X05, ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa

 

 

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ABSTRACT

Previous studies have shown that crude extracts from Pavetta harborii as well as dried plant material have cardiotoxic effects on rats and sheep that can lead to heart failure. The active component has since been isolated and identified. This substance has been named pavetamine. The aim of this study was to determine whether pavetamine has cardiotoxic effects similar to those seen in previous reports, when administered to rats intraperitoneally. Sprague Dawley rats received two doses, initially 4 mg/kg and then 3 mg/kg pavetamine respectively and were monitored for 35 days before cardiodynamic parameters were measured by inserting a fluid-filled catheter into the left ventricle via the right carotid artery. These values were compared to those of control rats that had received only saline. Pavetamine significantly reduced systolic function and body mass in the treated rats, which indicates that it has the potential to induce heart failure in this animal model.

Keywords: Cardiodynamics, cardiotoxic, pavetamine, Pavetta harborii, rat

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Accepted for publication 17 June 2008-Editor

 

 

* Author to whom correspondence is to be directed. E-mail: lhay@ul.ac.za