Cardiovascular damage induced by iron (II) chloride in acquired Wistar rat models is attenuated by Brassica nigra therapy

The growth and development of practically all organisms depend on iron metabolism, which is vital for many physiological processes in the human body. Iron overload or deficiency, which are both symptoms of dysregulated iron metabolism, are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD. This study evaluates the changes in iron chloride-exposed rats and the impact of Brassica nigra treatment. Thirty-five adult wistar rats averagely weighing between 180-220g were used for this study. They were divided into seven groups with five rats per group with daily administration for treatment for 30 days. Group A served as the control group. Groups B,C, D and E were given 2mg/kg body weight of iron(II)chloride and treated with 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg body weight of Brassica nigra and standard drug vitamin C respectively except group B that was left untreated. Group F and G received 200 and 400mg/kg body weights of Brassica nigra only. Rats were euthanized under chloroform and heart harvested and fixed in neutral buffered formalin for hematoxylin and eosin histological staining procedure, and histological slides were examined using light microscope. Statistical results shown there was no significant difference in initial and final body weight. The reduced cardiac antioxidants (SOD, CAT, and GPx) were significantly increased on administration of Brassica nigra extract. Histopathological findings on iron (II) chloride administration showed myocardial degeneration, coronary vascular ulceration and perivascular inflammation. However, intervention with graded doses of Brassica nigra ethanolic extract and standard drug reversed the lesions induced by iron (II) chloride to near normal. These data indicate that by suppressing inflammation, oxidative stress and iron deposition, and enhancing iron excretion, Brassica nigra effectively attenuate iron overload-induced cardiovascular injury.