Effect of <i>Newbouldia Leavis</i> Aqueous Extract on Cardiac Troponin, Creatinine Kinase, Myoglobin and Lactate Dehydrogenase in Albino Rats Treated with Diclofenac

Diclofenac is a commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) associated with adverse cardiovascular effects, including myocardial injury marked by elevated levels of cardiac biomarkers such as troponin, creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), myoglobin and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Newbouldia laevis, a medicinal plant known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties offer protective effects against such drug-induced cardiotoxicity. This study is aimed to evaluate the serum levels of cardiac troponin, CK-MB, myoglobin and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) in albino rats treated with diclofenac and varying doses of Newbouldia laevis extract. Ethical approval was obtained from the ethical committee of Madonna University, Elele Campus, Rivers State. A total of 20 albino rats were randomly divided into five groups of four rats each. Group 1 served as the negative control which received normal rat food and water, Group 2 received normal rat food, water and diclofenac. The mean cardiac myoglobin and LDH level in group one (positive control) were 3.8 ± 2.0 and 137.7 ± 3.2, group two (negative control) were 61.6 ± 3.7 and 195.2 ± 7.3, group 3 were 48.3 ± 13.2 and 180.0 ± 9.1, group four were 21.8 ± 6.9 and 161.2 ± 19.3 while group five were 4.1 ± 2.1 and 147.5 ± 8.8. However, the mean level of myoglobin and LDH shows a notable significant difference (p < 0.05). (5 mg/kg), while Groups 3, 4, and 5 were treated with diclofenac and 200 mg, 400 mg, and 800 mg of Newbouldia laevis extract, respectively. Blood samples were collected and analyzed using the Finecare fluorescence immunoassay kit for quantitative measurement of Troponin, CK-MB, and myoglobin levels (CTN I/CK- MB/MYO), while LDH was analysed using fortress diagnostic. Data obtained were analysed using SPSS version 27. The diclofenac-only group showed significantly elevated troponin (19.87 ± 4.34 ng/mL) and CK-MB (8.08 ± 2.04 U/L) compared to the control group (0.05 ± 0.04 ng/mL and 1.98 ± 0.44 U/L, respectively). Co-administration with Newbouldia laevis extract, particularly at 400 mg, significantly reduced biomarker levels (0.52 ± 0.56 ng/mL for troponin and 3.53 ± 0.55 U/L for CK-MB). Post hoc analysis showed statistically significant differences between the treatment and control groups (p < 0.05). This study shows that Newbouldia laevis extract has a cardioprotective effect against diclofenac-induced myocardial injury.