The present study investigated the antiarrhythmic activity of alcoholic extract of Tinospora cordifolia (T. cordifolia) in CaCl2 induced
arrhythmia. CaCl2 (25 mg/kg) was administered by
intravenous infusion (iv) to produce
arrhythmia in rats. The animals were then treated with T. cordifolia extract (150, 250, and 450 mg/kg) and
verapamil (5 mg/kg,iv). Lead II electrocardiogram was monitored. Plasma
calcium,
sodium and
potassium levels were measured. In CaCl2 induced
arrhythmia, heart rate was decreased by 41.10%, T. cordifolia at 150, 300, and 450 mg/kg decreased the heart rate by 26.30%, 29.16%, and 38.29%, respectively, and
verapamil reduced the heart rate by 9.70% compared to the normal group. The PQRST waves were normalized and atrial and
ventricular fibrillation was controlled in rats treated with
verapamil and T. cordifolia. CaCl2 increased
calcium and
sodium levels and decreased
potassium levels in blood. T. cordifolia dose-dependently decreased
calcium and
sodium levels and increased
potassium levels. Hence, T. cordifolia can be used in antiarrhythmic clinical settings and beneficial in atrial and
ventricular fibrillation and flutter and may be indicated in
ventricular tachyarrhythmia.