Abstract:
Background: Doxorubicin is one of the most potent and widely used chemotherapeutic
agents. However, clinical utility is limited by dose-dependent cardiotoxicity, which leads to
severe heart failure. Previous studies favour reactive oxygen species as one of the main
factors responsible for doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and administration of
antioxidants has been shown to protect cardiac tissues. Murraya koenigii leaves are rich in
various phytochemicals and have strong antioxidant potential.
Objectives: To investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Murraya leaf on antioxidant
status, lipid peroxidation and myeloperoxidase activity in Wistar rats treated with
doxorubicin.
Methodology: Wistar rats were divided into five groups of 10 animals in each. Group 1
served as the normal control. Group 2, plant extract control received 2.0 g/kg lyophilized
plant extract for 14 days and 10 mL/kg saline on 11th day. Group 3 received 2.0 g/kg
lyophilized plant extract for 14 days and 18 mg/kg doxorubicin on 11th day while group 4
received 10 mL/kg distilled water for 14 days, 18 mg/kg doxorubicin on 11th day. Group 5
which served as the positive control was given 10 mL/kg dH2O for 14 days, 180 mg/kg
dexrazoxane 0.5 hr prior to administration of doxorubicin (18 mg/kg). Animals were
sacrificed on the 15th day. A portion of heart tissues was collected for the estimation of
antioxidant parameters.
Results and conclusions: A significant reduction in reduced glutathione, glutathione
reductase, glutathione peroxidase, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase and
catalase activity and a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and myeloperoxidase
activity was observed in doxorubicin control compared to the normal control group
(p˂0.05). Plant extract treated group showed a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation,
myeloperoxidase activity and significant increase in rest of the parameters compared to the
doxorubicin control (p˂0.05). It can be concluded that Murraya leaf extract has the potential
to ameliorate doxorubicin induced oxidative stress and inflammation in Wistar rats.
