Cardioprotective Potential of Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) Essential Oil: A Zebra Fish Model Study on Donepezil-HCl Induced Cardiotoxicity with Biochemical Analysis

Kamalambigeswari Rethinasamy; Shana Mullan

doi:10.31632/ijalsr.2026.v09i02.017

Kamalambigeswari Rethinasamy Department of Industrial Biotechnology, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600064, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8251-8790
Shana Mullan Department of Industrial Biotechnology, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600064, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4569-5675

DOI https://doi.org/10.31632/ijalsr.2026.v09i02.017

Abstract

Background: Drug-induced cardiotoxicity is a major limitation in long-term pharmacotherapy and is often mediated through oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways. Donepezil, a widely prescribed acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, has been reported to induce adverse cardiovascular effects. Methods: The present study evaluated the cardioprotective potential of hexane-extracted Momordica charantia essential oil (MCEO) against Donepezil-induced cardiotoxicity using a zebrafish (Danio rerio) model. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH radical scavenging and total antioxidant capacity assays, while anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by red blood cell membrane stabilization. Gene expression of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) was analyzed using RT-PCR in zebrafish heart tissue. Results: MCEO demonstrated significant free radical scavenging activity and concentration-dependent enhancement of total antioxidant capacity. The essential oil also exhibited marked anti-inflammatory activity by stabilizing erythrocyte membranes. Donepezil exposure significantly increased MPO expression and reduced HSP70 expression, indicating enhanced oxidative stress and inflammation. Treatment with MCEO significantly reduced MPO expression and restored HSP70 levels toward normal. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that Momordica charantia essential oil exerts cardioprotective effects against Donepezil-induced cardiotoxicity through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. MCEO shows promise as a natural cardioprotective agent against drug-induced cardiac injury.

Keywords: Cardiotoxicity, Momordica Charantia, Oxidative Stress, Zebrafish Model

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References

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