Attenuation by fruit extract of (Amla) Emblica-officinalis: Arsenic elevated concentration of serum matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 with high risk of cardiovascular diseases in mice

Exposure to arsenic in individuals has been found to be associated with immune related problems via oxidative stress and inflammation. In earlier studies, we have demonstrated that amla protects against arsenic induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in thymus and spleen of mice. In continuation to that the present study has therefore been focused to investigate the protective efficacy of amla in arsenic induced elevated concentrations of serum matrix metalloproteinase (mmp)-2 and -9 and their associations with high risk of cardiovascular diseases in mice. Arsenic treatment in mice, significantly increased mmp-2 (2.16 fold, p<0.001) and mmp-9 (1.45fold, p<0.01) level as compared to controls. No significant changes were found in control as well as amla alone group. While co-treatment with arsenic and amla significantly decreases mmp-2(0.65 fold, p<0.01) and mmp-9 (0.81fold, p<0.05) level as compared to arsenic alone group. The study results underscore the protective effects of amla in arsenic induced serum up regulation of mmp-2 and mmp-9 level as a high risk of cardiovascular disease, the fruit extract of amla balance the mmps level due to hypolipidemic and cardioprotective nature.