Antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties of Kalpaamruthaa in type 2 diabetes mellitus induced cardiovascular complications

Antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effect of Kalpaamruthaa against type 2 diabetes mellitus induced-cardiovascular damage (CVD) was investigated in this study. Kalpaamruthaa is a herbal preparation, consists of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut milk extract, fresh dried powder of Emblica officinalis fruit and honey. Antioxidant effect of Kalpaamruthaa was studied through analyzing the enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants, lipid peroxides and carbonyl levels in CVD-induced rats. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were studied to analyze the anti-apoptotic effect of Kalpaamruthaa. Oxidative stress mediated cellular damage was reduced by Kalpaamruthaa through decrease in the levels of lipid peroxidative products and protein carbonyl content, and increased antioxidants in CVD-induced rats. Kalpaamruthaa reduced the apoptosis in heart of CVD-induced rats through the alteration in mRNA expressions of apoptotic markers such as Bcl-2 and Bax. This study exhibits the antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of Kalpaamruthaa to protect from CVD.