Sub-Chronic Cardiac Effects of Adimenu Herbal Mixture: Evaluation of CK-MB and Troponin I in Rabbits

Abstract

Background: Adimenu, a locally produced herbal mixture in Nigeria, is widely used to manage several conditions, including hypertension; however, its cardiac safety remains unevaluated. Thus, this study investigated the effects of Adimenu on cardiac biomarkers such as creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in rabbits.

Method: Twenty healthy male rabbits were randomly assigned to four groups comprising control, 25% Adimenu, 50% Adimenu, and 100% Adimenu (n = 5 each). Treatments were administered 

orally for 14 days. During the study, three rabbits were lost, leaving 17 animals that completed the treatment and reached the terminal stage. Body weights and serum CK-MB and cTnI levels were measured, and data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with post hoc comparisons. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: Three animals were lost during the study (two from the 25% group and one from the 100% group), leaving 17 animals that completed treatment. The rabbits given increasing Adimenu concentrations exhibited progressive weight gain, with the 100% group showing the greatest increase (F = 7.773, p = 0.003). CK-MB levels varied across groups but did not differ significantly (F = 0.937, p = 0.451), indicating no consistent effect on this marker. In contrast, cTnI levels were significantly elevated in the 25% (p = 0.005) and 50% (p = 0.003) groups compared to controls; however, not in the 100% group (p = 0.968), suggesting a concentration-dependent response with a peak effect at intermediate doses.

Conclusion: Adimenu produced a dose-related increase in body weight and significantly raised cardiac troponin I at intermediate doses (25% and 50%), while CK-MB remained unaffected. These findings suggest possible cardiotoxic stress at moderate concentrations and an unpredictable response at the highest dose, underscoring the need for dosage regulation and further safety evaluation.