Nevena Lazarevic, Marijana Andjic, Katarina Mihajlovic, Jovana Bradic, Aleksandar Kocovic, Djurdjina Petrovic, Dragana Stanisic, Vladimir Jakovljevic, Maja Muric, Jovana Joksimovic Jovic, Sergey Bolevich, Stefani Bolevich, Yakhyaev Huseyn, Vanja Tadic, Nenad Stankovic, Jasmina Sretenovic
Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated systemic disorder that extends beyond the skin and may adversely affect cardiovascular function. Herbal therapies have emerged as promising complementary approaches for mitigating psoriasis-associated cardiac complications. The present study aimed to evaluate the cardioprotective potential of Melissa officinalis (MO) extract in psoriasis. Twenty-four male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to four experimental groups: control, MO, psoriasis (PSORI), and PSORI+MO. After induction, animals received MO extract (200 mg/kg b.w.) orally for three weeks. Cardiac function was assessed using the Langendorff isolated heart preparation. Oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines were determined in blood. Psoriatic rats exhibited impaired myocardial contractility and relaxation, accompanied by elevated SLVP and DLVP across all perfusion pressures. Administration of MO significantly improved cardiac performance and attenuated these hemodynamic disturbances. Oxidative stress markers and inflammatory cytokines were markedly reduced in the PSORI+MO group compared with PSORI. Cardiomyocyte diameter and cross-sectional area were increased in both PSORI and PSORI+MO groups relative to controls. Collagen content was substantially elevated in the PSORI group and remained increased, although to a lesser extent, in the PSORI+MO group compared with controls. These findings suggest that MO extract may represent a promising complementary strategy for reducing psoriasis-associated cardiovascular alterations.