Cardioprotective and antioxidant effects of Rosa damascena leaf and stem extract against lead acetate-induced myocardial injury in rats.

Cardiovascular disease and environmental pollution are major global health concerns, with lead exposure posing a serious public risk through oxidative stress, fibrosis, and cardiac damage. This study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant and cardioprotective effects of Taif Rose (leaves and stems) extract against lead acetate-induced myocardial injury in rats. Forty adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 10): control, Taif Rose extract (0.5 mg/kg/day), lead acetate (0.2 mg/kg/day), and lead acetate plus Taif Rose extract, treated orally for 30 days. Cardiac injury was quantitatively evaluated by measuring serum creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI), together with cardiac oxidative stress biomarkers (MDA, GSH, and SOD), followed by histopathological and quantitative morphometric analyses. Lead exposure induced marked cardiotoxicity characterized by elevated CK-MB, cTnI, and MDA levels, decreased GSH and SOD activities, and significant histological alterations, including myocardial degeneration, inflammatory infiltration, and collagen deposition. Co-administration of Taif Rose extract significantly mitigated these effects, restoring antioxidant balance, reducing serum cardiac injury markers, and preserving normal myocardial structure with minimal fibrosis. The findings suggest that Rosa damascena leaf and stem extract may have potential therapeutic value against lead-induced cardiotoxicity in rats.