Abstract
Traditional medicine is the primary healthcare source for most people in developing nations, with herbal remedies used for disorders of metabolism. The study assessed how Andrographis paniculata aqueous extract affected male Wistar rats' cardiotoxicity caused by dichlorvos. Three groups consisting of eighteen rats were randomly assigned (n = 6). Group A was not exposed to dichlorvos, as it served as (control). Group B was exposed to dichlorvos (1 ml/day for 1 week) via inhalation. Group C was exposed to dichlorvos (as in B) and treated with Andrographis paniculata aqueous extract (500 mg/kg body weight) orally for 28 days. Exposure to dichlorvos caused alteration in cardiovascular variables and electrocardiac function (blood pressure, heart rate and electrocardiogram), cardiac injury (lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase), oxidative stress (malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)), cardiac inflammation (tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and apoptosis (caspase 3). However, treatment with Andrographis paniculata aqueous extract improved the antioxidant defense system, attenuated electrocardiac impairment, and prevented damage to cardiac musculature. Andrographis paniculata aqueous extract exhibited cardioprotective potential.