The manna of ferula assa-foetida has been traditionally used for its medicinal effects. The current research has aimed to elucidate the cardiac effects of the manna on isolated rat heart. Rats were anaesthetized using pentobarbital sodium and the hearts were immediately removed and perfused using a Langendorff setup. The hearts were stabilized for 30min before being perfused with modified Krebs containing manna of ferula assa-foetida. The manna was perfused to the hearts at 1 or 10 ppm for 5min, on a random order, with 15min intervals for each treatment. The heart rate and the intra-ventricular pressure did not change significantly due to any of the concentrations of manna used. However, the coronary perfusion pressure increased only in response to the manna at 10 ppm. The manna had arrhythmogenic effects on the hearts, especially at 10 ppm concentration. The current research suggests that the manna of ferula assa-foetida may enforce cardiac contractility and may also be cardiotoxic due to its arrythmogenic effects.

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