Biological Activity Exerted by Crocodylus moreletii Oil Against Heart Failure using an Ischemia/Reperfusion Model

Several bioactive substances have been isolated from some crocodiles for therapeutic purposes; however, there is scarce information on the biological activity of Crocodylus moreletii against heart failure. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the biological activity of Crocodylus moreletii oil against either heart failure and perfusion pressure. Fatty acids involved in the Crocodylus moreletii oil was determinate by gas chromatography analysis. In addition, the effect exerted by Crocodylus moreletii oil against heart failure (translated as infarct area) was evaluated using either sodium oleate or methyl linolelaidate as controls in an ischemia-reperfusion injury model. In addition, the biological activity of either Crocodylus moreletii (Duméril & Bibron, 1851) oil or sodium oleate or methyl linolelaidate on perfusion pressure was evaluated using an isolated rat heart model. The results showed a high concentration of linolelaidate (23.3%) and oleate (20.3%) fatty acids in the sample from Crocodylus moreletii. Also, the results of biological evaluation shown that both Crocodylus moreletii oil and sodium oleate decreased the infarct area through increase either perfusion pressure and resistance coronary compared with methyl linolelaidate. In conclusion, the results suggest that both Crocodylus moreletii oil and sodium oleate can exert changes on perfusion pressure and coronary resistance translated as a decrease of infarct area and consequently bring a cardioprotective effect.