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Ascidians, commonly called as sea – squirts are marine sedentary organisms found in abundance in the
coastal regions of Tuticorin. Among these, Microcosmus exasperatus is a simple ascidian belonging to
the class Ascidiacea and family Pyuridae. Many biologically active compounds with pharmacological
properties have been reported from this group. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the
protective effect of Microcosmus exasperatus against isoproterenol induced myocardial ischemia in rats.
Wistar male albino rats were divided into 3 main groups - control (saline only), ISO control
(saline+isoproterenol) and Microcosmus exasperatus treated (ME+ISO). The extract of Microcosmus
exasperatus was administered at a dose of 50,100 and 150 mgkg-1 i.g.c for 28 days. On 29th and 30th day
of the experiment, the animals of ISO control and ME pretreated groups were given isoproterenol (150
mgkg-1) at an interval of 24 hours. A significant increase in the level of LDH, AST, ALT in the serum and
marker enzyme - MDA in serum and heart tissue and decrease in the enzymatic and non-enzymatic
antioxidant enzymes - SOD, CAT, GPx in heart tissue and GSH in both serum and tissue were noted in
ISO treated groups. In the pretreated groups all the parameters were normal. Restoration of enzyme level
observed in the co-treated groups indicate that the extract of Microcosmus exasperatus has protective
role against ISO induced myocardial ischemia. Histopathological architecture also confirmed the
cardioprotective effect of the extract.
Keywords: Microcosmus exasperatus, myocardial ischemia, cardiotoxicity, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant.