Cardioprotective Effect of Malva Verticillata against Doxorubicin Induced Toxicity in Rats

Abstract

M. Verticillata (Malvaceae) is a medicinal plant used to treat many illnesses. It is traditionally used for skin, digestive, and respiratory disorders recovery, strengthen heart, liver and stomach functions, and for treatment of helminthiasis and piles. The plant leaf extracts possess antioxidant activities, anti-inflammatory, antinoceciptive, and anti-diabetic. Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective chemotherapeutic agent used for treat many types of cancers, but not widely used due to its acute and chronic cardiotoxicity, which often leads to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by chamber dilation and cardiac defect. The study aimed to investigate the potential protective role of M. verticillata against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six male albino rats were divided into six groups, (n = 6): G1: normal control (was given 1 ml/kg of NaCl 0.9%, two times weekly), G2: cardiotoxic control (was given 1 mg/kg of DOX two times weekly), G3: was given 250 mg/kg of M. verticillata, G4: was given 500 mg/kg of M. verticillata, G5: was given 250 mg/kg of M. verticillata and 1 mg/kg i.p of DOX, G6: was given 500 mg/kg of M. verticillata and 1mg/kg i.p of DOX. The extract of M. verticillata was administered to all rats by oral gavage once daily for 6 weeks. Total body weight was taken weekly. Blood was collected and processed for determination of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine phosphate kinase (CPK), Troponin, Heart: body weight ratio. The hearts were taken away and processed for histopathological test. Results: M. verticillata showed a significant and dependent dose reduction in the cardiac enzyme levels, LDH, CPK activities and Troponin levels. The histopathological studies in rat’s hearts also supported that M. Verticillata extract markedly reduces the toxicity of DOX and preserves the histoarchitecture of the heart tissue to near normal when compared to that of control.