Costus improves atorvastatin-induced myotoxicity in rats: Histopathological, Ultrastructural, and biochemical studies

BACKGROUND: Hyperlipidemia is the main cause of cardiac arrest and death; atorvastatin is the best medicine for its treatment. Increase its use has led to the appearance of side effects especially muscles. Costus is a medicinal herb that prevents the risks of poisoning that occur because of the use of atorvastatin. The aim of this study is to evaluate the costus extract against the myotoxicity of atorvastatin on male albino ratsMETHODS: Eighty adult albino rats were used, divided into four groups each is twenty rats, the first group as a control, given only water throughout the experiment. The second group was given Costus root extract at a dose (0.4 mg/kg) daily. The third group was given 50 mg/kg/day of atorvastatin liquified in pure water and the fourth group was given the extract of the root of the costus at a dose (0.4 mg/kg) daily with 50 mg/kg / A Day of atorvastatin liquefied in pure water daily 90 days, via a gastric tube.After the end of the experiment, rats were anesthetized and excision of extensor digitorum longus then evaluating histopathology of muscles by light and electron microscopes and evaluating serum cardiac enzymes, potassium, creatinine and serum (CPK).RESULTS: Significant abnormalities in all biomarkers of muscle toxicity with its degenerative changes, and use of the root extract of costus with the sub-chronic intake of atorvastatin ameliorating signs of muscle toxicity.CONCLUSION: Sub-chronic use of atorvastatin could cause myotoxicity On the contrary antioxidant costus may help to prevent atorvastatin-induced myotoxicity