Cardioprotective Activity of Fruit Extracts of Momordica Dioca Roxb. on Doxorubicin Induced Toxicity on Rats

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the major death causing disease worldwide and identification of herb based therapeutics is the need of today. Present study was undertaken to evaluate the cardioprotective activity of Momordica dioca Roxb. (MDR) fruit extract on doxorubicin (DXR) induced cardiotoxicity on rats. Methods: The crude methanolic extract (MEMD) was prepared by soxhlet extraction and fractionated into flavonoid (FFMD) and non-flavonoid (NFFMD). All the extracts were standardized by, preliminary phytochemical tests, in vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging potential. Based on the above activity two extracts i.e., MEMD and FFMD were selected for in vivo cardioprotective activity against DXR induced cardiotoxicity. The cardioprotective activity was evaluated by serum (CK-MB, LDH and AST) and non serum parameters like endogenous antioxidants (SOD, catalase, GSH and lipid peroxidation), ECG and histopathological studies. Results: The rats treated with DXR alone have shown elevated level of serum biomarkers, decreased anti-oxidant system, changes in ECG and histopathology studies. The rats pretreated with MEMD and FFMD have reversed the toxicity produced by DXR. The level of biomarker enzymes were restored to normal by both the extract whereas, MEMD have shown more activity when compared with FFMD. The activity was found to be significant when compared to the standard Vitamin E. The same was observed in endogenous anti-oxidant system, ECG as well as histopathological examination. Conclusion: The result reveals the protective effect of MDR fruit on cardiotoxicity induced by DXR. However, further research can be undertaken to reveal the mechanism and phytochemical responsible for the said activity.