Evaluation of the Cardioprotective Potential of Polygala tenuifolia Ethanolic Extract via Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Mechanisms in Myocardial Infarction: An In Vivo Study

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) continues to be a leading contributor to illness and death worldwide, even in the face of substantial therapeutic and preventive interventions. Polygala tenuifolia, a traditional medicinal herb rich in diverse bioactive compounds, exhibits a broad range of therapeutic effects; however, its cardioprotective role has not been fully elucidated. Objectives: The herein study was proposed to examine the cardioprotective efficacy of the ethanolic extract of P. tenuifolia (PTEE) and was assessed in an isoproterenol (ISO)-induced MI model using male Wistar albino rats. Materials and Methods: Animals were randomly assigned to four groups: control, ISO-treated, and two groups pre- and co-treated with PTEE for 20 days, followed by ISO administration on days 19 and 20. On day 21, blood and heart tissue samples were collected for biochemical and molecular analyses. Results: PTEE administration modulated serum biochemical parameters, enhanced antioxidant defense, stabilized myocardial ionic balance, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, and regulated nuclear factor kappa B/heme oxygenase-1/ NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NF-κB/HO-1/NQO-1) signaling pathways in MI-induced rats. Overall, PTEE exhibited significant cardioprotective activity by mitigating oxidative and inflammatory damage. Conclusion: The present results imply that PTEE may be pursued as a therapeutic option for managing MI and allied cardiovascular disorders; however, further mechanistic and long-term studies are warranted to substantiate its clinical applicability.