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Background: Isoproterenol is a drug used for the treatment of bradycardia that has many side effects due to its non-selective β-adrenoceptor agonist properties. Aim: In this study, we evaluated an in vivo experimental model for isoproterenol (ISO) cardiac injury using BALB/c mice and protective treatment with a combined optimized dose of Arctiin (AR) and Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) (ARLP; 30 mg/kg b.w. AR and viable 106 CFU/mL LP p.o.) together. Introduction: Isoproterenol causes cardiac injury in many instances. Arctiin is a naturally occurring lignin glycoside present in many herbal medicinal plants that has many beneficial effects for humans. Lactobacillus plantarum is yet another beneficial probiotic that benefits largely to humans. Materials and Methods: Male BALB/c mice in appropriate groups (6 animals each) were treated with ARLP for 7 days with ISO administration (100 mg/kg i.p.) on days 5 and 6. On the 8th day, animals were sacrificed. Serum and heart samples were collected for further processing. CK-MB, cardiac troponin, AST, ALT, LDH, GST, GPx, CAT, SOD, GSH, GSSG, MDA, nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), TNF-α, and IL-6 by ELISA and gene expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were estimated in samples. Results: Mice administered with ISO showed a prominent rise in the serum marker enzyme activities and tissue oxidative stress markers (MDA and GSSG). Furthermore, marked reductions in body weight and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant levels were noticed in ISO toxicity. Alterations in proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and Nrf2 levels by RT-PCR were analyzed. Histopathology of the heart also indicated cardiac injury in ISO-intoxicated mice. ARLP pretreatment prevented all these cardiac injuries and exerted significant (p ≤ 0.05) prophylactic protection toward cardiac tissue. Further, we analyzed the possible interactions between AR and LP in vitro, to understand the influence of ARonLP, which showed no significant suppressive/antibacterial activity on LP. Conclusion: In conclusion, ARLP exerts a strong cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory activity in cardiovascular injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greater burdock (Arctium lappa L.), a biennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, is a rich source of some bioactive compounds including chlorogenic acid, arctiin, and inulin which are involved in the treatment of a broad range of disorders. In this study, the phytochemical variability and antioxidant activity of nine Iranian A. lappa populations collected from different geographical regions were investigated. The highest content of chlorogenic acid was recorded in Baft (76.48 mg/g DW), Rudsar (75.5 mg/g DW), and Bijar (74.8 mg/g DW) populations, respectively. The content of chlorogenic acid in A. lappa seeds ranged from 23.4 to 75.1 mg/g DW with the lowest content in the Baft population and the highest content in the Savadkooh population. In addition, the highest content of arctiin was found in the seeds of Savadkooh (78.21 mg/g DW) and Baft (77.7 mg/g DW) populations. The mean total carbohydrate content in A.lappa populations was 31.8 mg/g DW. The maximum antioxidant activity was observed in the roots of Roodsar (IC50 = 78.2 µg/mL) and seeds of Firoozkooh (IC50 = 174.8 µg/mL) populations. In comparison, the antioxidant activity of the roots was the most reliable among the extracts. This information provides a perspective for the plant used in domestication, conservation, and breeding programs and for further commercial exploitation in food industries as a potent natural antioxidant source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]