Cardioprotective effect of whole fruit extract of pomegranate on doxorubicin-induced toxicity in rat

摘要

Context: Cardioprotective effects of various plants are generally attributed to their antioxidant activity. The whole fruit extract of pomegranate (WFEP), Punica granatum L. (Punicaceae), has a potent antioxidant activity. Objective: To investigate cardioprotective effect of WFEP against doxorubicin (Dox)-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. Materials and methods: Male Wistar rats were divided randomly into three groups of eight rats each: control (water, 5?mL/kg); Dox (10?mg/kg i.v.) and WFEP (100?mg/kg). Dox was administered in Dox and WFEP groups. After anesthetizing the animals on the last day, electrocardiogram was recorded and blood was analyzed for creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities. Determinations of superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and histopathology of the heart tissues were carried out. Results: The WFEP group showed decreased QT and increase in heart rate (p??0.05) compared to the Dox group. Significant decrease in CK-MB (p??0.01), LDH (p??0.05) and no such significant decrease in AST were observed as compared to the Dox group. There was significant increase in the level of GSH (p??0.05), whereas inhibition of LPO and increase in SOD concentration was not significant in the WFEP group compared to the Dox group. Histopathological study of the WFEP-treated group showed slight protection against myocardial toxicity induced by Dox. Conclusion: Results indicate that WFEP has cardioprotective effect against Dox-induced cardiotoxicity in rats.