Pharmacodynamic interaction of captopril with garlic in isoproterenol-induced myocardial damage in rat.

It is known that various preparations of garlic and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor such as captopril (CAP) have beneficial effects on the left ventricular function and cardiovascular events after myocardial infarction (MI) when used individually. There is no reported interaction between garlic homogenate (GH) and CAP during and after acute MI. Thus the purpose of the current study was to evaluate the possible pharmacodynamic interaction of GH with CAP on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial damage in rat. Female Wistar albino rats were treated with GH at three different doses of 125; 250 and 500 mg/kg orally for 30 days and CAP (30 mg/kg, p.o.) was incorporated in the interactive groups during the last seven days of GH treatment. Myocardial damage was induced by administration of ISO (150 mg/kg, s.c.) for two consecutive days. Biochemical parameters were studied in serum and heart tissue homogenate of all animals. The GH 250 mg/kg was found to dislodge the effect of ISO on superoxide dismutase and catalase and retained the activities of LDH and CK-MB. Incorporation of CAP during GH treatment provided further protection to myocardium from injury. However, higher dose of GH alone or with CAP failed to prevent damaging effect of ISO. Histopathological determinations confirmed biochemical findings. Thus it is concluded that the combination needs to be used carefully when garlic is consumed at high doses. Copyright (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.