Cardioprotective Effect of Ajwa Date Aqueous Extract on Doxorubicin-Induced Toxicity in Rats
Meaad F. Sabbah1, Fawzia Alshubali1, Othman A. S. Baothman1,2, Mazin A. Zamzami1, Lobna Shash3, Ibrahim A. Hassan4,5, Aymn T. Abbas6,7 and Mohamed Kamel Abo-Golayel1,8

1Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

2Microbial Toxicology and Natural Products Center, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia.

3Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo.

4Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, 21526 El Shatby, Alexandria, Egypt.

5Centre of Excellency in Environmental Studies (CEES), King Abdulaziz University, 80216, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.

6Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

7Biotechnology Research Laboratories, Gastroenterology Surgery Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.

8Medical Research Center, Ain Shams University Hospitals, Ain Shams University, Cairo.

Corresponding Author E-mail: ma.golayel@kau.edu.sa

Abstract: Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most potent and widely used chemotherapeutic agents to treat several malignancies. However, the clinical use of DOX is seriously restricted due to its acute and chronic cardiotoxic side effects This study investigated the protective effect of (Ajwa) date aqueous extract (AJDAE) against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. Sixty Wister albino male rats (150-200 gms.) were comprised in our study and divided into six equal groups: group I (untreated control), group II, group III, rats were orally received AJDAE (0.75 & 1.5 gm/ kg.bw) respectively, for 4 weeks, rats of groups IV, V and VI  were intraperitoneally injected with one dose of doxorubicin (5 mg/kg.bw) at the end of the 4th week of the study to induce cardiotoxicity, rats of groups V & VI were orally received AJDAE (0.75 & 1.5 gm/ kg.bw) respectively. Cardiac enzymes, lipid profile, SOD, GR, GST, GPx, CAT and MDA in rats’ hearts homogenate, urinary 8OHdG as well as DNA integrity and histopathological changes were investigated in all studied rats.Oral administration of AJDAE (0.75 & 1.5 gm/ kg.bw) attenuated the cardiotoxicity of DOX, improved the cardiac enzymes, lipid profile, reduced the urinary 8OHdG and prohibited the depletion of endogenous antioxidants and suppressed lipid peroxidation (MDA). Moreover, AJDAE enhanced DNA integrity. Histological findings showed that AJDAE (0.75 & 1.5 gm/ kg.bw) administration reduced cardiomyocytes alterations, congestion, edema and the intense cellular stress exerted on myocardial fibers as well as restored the cardiomyocytes architecture. Our data showed that AJDAE obviously resulted in protective effects against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity in rat’s heart. It can be concluded that Ajwa date offers a considerable protection against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.

Keywords: Ajwa Date; Cardioprotection; DOX

[ HTML Full Text]

Back to TOC