[Cardioprotective and antiarrhythmic properties of Rhodiolae roseae preparations]

It is established that the chronic administration of Rhodiola rosea extract (RRE) in a single daily dose of 1 ml/kg (p.o.) during 8 days increased the resistance of myocardium with respect to the cardiotoxic action of isoproterenol and the arrhythmogenic action of epinephrine in rats. Pretreatment with RRE prevented the stressor cardiac damages, as measured by 99mTc-pyrophosphate accumulation in the heart. The cardioprotective action of RRE was maximum after 5-day administration. The antiarrhythmic effect of the adaptogen was maximum after 8-day administration. It was found that p-tyrosol also exhibited antiarrhythmic and cardioprotective properties. Pretreatment with RRE decreased the infarction size/risk area ratio during the coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion in vivo. The chronic administration of RRE increased th e tolerance of the isolated perfused rat heart to the pathogenic action of global ischemia and reperfusion. Pretreatment with RRE not only prevented the occurrence of arrhythmias, but also abolished cardiac electrical instability in rats with postinfarction cardiac sclerosis. It has been found that the chronic administration of RRE (1 ml/kg, p.o., over 8 days) increased the level beta-endorphin in rat blood plasma and the content of leu-enkephalin in myocardial tissue. Naloxone (2 mg/kg) abolished cardioprotective and antiarrhythmic effect of the adaptogen. It was suggested that both RRE effects depend on the occupancy of opioid receptors by endogenous opioid peptides. It has been found that the sympathetic nervous system is involved in the development of antiarrhythmic effect of RRE, while HSP-70 is not involved in the cardioprotective and antiarrhythmic effect of adaptogen. It is concluded that the mechanism of cardioprotective and antiarrhythmic action of RRE needs further investigation.