Clinical uses of doxorubicin (DOX), a highly active anticancer agent, are limited by its severe cardiotoxic side effects associated with increased oxidative stress and apoptosis. In this study we investigated whether aged garlic has protective effects against doxorubicin-induced free radical production and cardiotoxicity in male rats. A single dose of doxorubicin (25mg/kg) caused increased both serum cardiac enzymes LDH and CPK activities and a significant increase malonyldialdehyde (MDA) in plasma. However, pretreatment of rats with aged garlic extract (250 mg/kg) for 27 days before doxorubicin therapy, reduced the activity of both enzymes, and significantly decreased of MDA production in plasma. Total antioxidant activity was increased after aged garlic extract administration. Histopathological examination of heart tissue showed that DOX treatment resulted in alteration of cardiac tissue structure in the form of peri arterial fibrosis and apoptotic changes in cardiomyocytes. Pretreatment with aged garlic extract for 27 days ameliorated the effect of DOX administration on cardiac tissue; cardiomyocytes looked more or less similar to those of control. However, still vascular dilatation, mild congestion and interstitial edemas were observed. Our results suggest that aged garlic extract is potentially protective against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.
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