Cardiovascular effects of faba bean extract in mammals

ABSTRACT

Electrocardiograms [ECG] and blood pressure [BP] were recorded in both rats and rabbits to establish are effect of c crude extract of faba beans. The LD50 of the extract was found to be 5.2 gm/kg body weight in the rat and 2.7 gm/kg body weight in the rabbit. In young rats 1/2 LD50 of the extract induced brief bradycardia followed by severe tachycardia, while in adults rats, slight bradycardia was obtained. In rabbits, a negative chronotropic effect was noticed following the extract administration. This decrease in heart rate was accompanied by a significant prolongation of the QT interval and ST segment depression. Nonsignificant change in blood pressure values were obtained after the administration of the extract in both rats and rabbits. The present results suggest the myocardial ischemia mediated by a decrease in O2 concentration as a result from faba bean extract administration in rats and rabbits