Possible protective effects of quercetin on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats

ObjectiveOur study aimed to investigate the possible protective effects of quercetin (QCT) on doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity in rats.BackgroundDOX is an antineoplastic drug that produces cardiotoxicity; it generates highly cytotoxic-free radicals that damage the cardiomyocytes. QCT is a plant flavonoid. QCT pretreatment reduces DOX-induced oxidative stress.Materials and methodsFifty-five adult rats were divided into four groups: group 1 (control) received saline (5 ml/kg) orally for 4 weeks; group 2 (DOX) received six doses of DOX intraperitoneally (2.5 mg/kg) on alternative days in the last 2 weeks; group 3 (QCT + DOX) received QCT orally (10 mg/kg once daily) for 4 weeks and DOX intraperitoneally (2.5 mg/kg) in the last 2 weeks as group 2, and group 4 (QCT) received QCT (10 mg/kg once daily) orally for 4 weeks. We measured the body weight, heart weight, and ECG parameters. Serum cardiac troponin-I (cTn-I), serum malondialdehyde (MDA), and total serum antioxidant capacity (TAC) have been estimated. In addition, histopathological changes of the rat heart were assessed.ResultsThe DOX group showed significant ECG changes, significant increase in serum cTn-I (P < 0.001) and MDA (P < 0.001), significant decrease in TAC (P < 0.001), pathological picture of cardiomyopathy by hematoxylin and eosin staining, and high apoptotic index (P < 0.001) by caspase-3 stain compared with the control group. QCT pretreatment improved ECG changes, significantly decreased serum cTn-I (P < 0.001) and MDA (P < 0.001), significantly increased serum TAC (P < 0.001), and improved histopathological changes of the heart with significant lower apoptotic index (P < 0.001) compared with the DOX group.ConclusionQCT may be a promising cardioprotective agent against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity due to its inhibition of cardiac apoptosis and oxidative stress.