Objectives: This study aimed to establish the protective role of Cuscuta reflexa against isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in Wistar albino rats.

Materials and method: Phytochemical screening, acute toxicity study, and then in vivo isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction were carried out. During the study period, biochemical, cardiac marker, electrograph, and antioxidant evaluations were conducted. In the end, an antioxidant and Histopathology study was carried out using Olympus binuclear at 45 X using eosin and haemoxylin stains.

Result: This study demonstrated the presence of phytochemicals such as alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, saponins, proteins, amino acids, tannins, flavonoids, and steroids. No mortality and morbidity were observed until 2000 mg/kg doses. During the in vivo study, the protective role of Cuscuta reflexa on the restructuring of electrographic parameters QT, P wave, RR interval, PR intervals, QRS complex, and heart rate was observed. In the serum biomarker test, recovery to the average level from elevated ALT, AST, CK-MB, CK-NAC, and LDH was observed in treatment groups. Enzymatic antioxidants were found to be protective in a dependent manner. The histopathological finding suggested the significant recovery of reversible cellular injury characterised by striation, cellular necrosis, vacuoles, interstitial spaces, neutrophils, and macrophage infiltration regarding the ethanolic extract of Cuscuta reflexa.

Conclusions: The present study highlights the presence of secondary metabolites such as carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids, tannins, and saponins. We also discussed the protective role against electrocardiographic changes, elevated cardiac biomarkers, anti-inflammatory parameters, free radicals, and reversible or irreversible cellular injury.