Aim of study: The aim of this study is to explore the ability of the carotenoids (CARs) to offer protection against acute cardiotoxicity and hepatotoxicity induced by doxorubicin (DOX) (25 mg/kg) in tumor bearing Swiss albino mice.
Materials and methods: Tumor bearing Swiss albino mice administered with DOX (25 mg/kg, i.p) and two doses of CARs (50 and 100 μg/kg). 24 h after administration of the drugs, histopathological evaluation of tumor, liver and heart tissues carried out. Furthermore, various antioxidant parameters in these tissues were investigated. Serum marker enzymes for tissue injury were examined.
Results: Administration of CARs prevented the depletion of antioxidants in the heart and liver, thereby protecting the tissue damage and release of marker enzymes. However, similar antioxidant depletion was not observed in the tumor tissue. CARs prevented DOX induced variation in tissue architecture in heart and liver tissues. However, CARs did not influence DOX induced alterations in the tumor.
Conclusion: Administration of CARs could prevent DOX induced acute toxicity to heart and liver.