RESUMO
In this study, three common natural flavonoids [sour orange, sweet orange and salvia] known to have positive cardiotonic effect were chosen and their ability to inhibit apoptotic death of cardiac muscles and the extent that they could protect them during evolving myocardial infarction were tested. The three flavonoids influenced the apoptotic cell death. The elevated creatine kinase isoenzymes [CK MB] and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] levels were significantly decreased. Also, the decrease in QRS volts and the increase in the heart rate, which were observed in cardiac infarction, were significantly improved. Thus, it was concluded that the three flavonoids, with variable degrees, influenced the apoptotic cell death in the cardiac muscle and protected the heart during evolving MI by decreasing the degree of tissue necrosis. Also, they can improve the performance of the heart and decrease the incidence of ventricular fibrillation