Abstract

Ameliorative effect of the seed of Tetracarpidium Conophorum extract on wistar rats with doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity was investigated. Herbal drugs are used widely even when their biologically active compounds are unknown, probably because of their effectiveness, lesser side effects and affordability. The result of this study will provide harmless and affordable remedy for cardiotoxicity and other oxidative stress induced diseases. Twenty adult wistar rats (140 – 330g) of both sexes were divided into five experimental groups (A, B, C, D, and E). Each group had four rats. Group A, B, C, D, and E represented groups treated with food only, doxorubicin only, (doxorubicin + 6% walnut of feed), (doxorubicin + 12% walnut of feed), and (doxorubicin + Enalapril) respectively. Cardiotoxicity was induced by administration of 3.75mg/kg doxorubicin through intraperitoneal route on alternate days throughout the period of the experiment. After the treatment period of forty-two days, blood samples and hearts were collected for biochemical and histopathological studies respectively. Serum enzyme and lipid profile were checked. There was significant increase (p < 0.05) in aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein  and very low-density lipoprotein with significant decrease (p < 0.05) in high-density lipoprotein in the group induced with doxorubicin without additional treatment when compared with the Tetracarpidium Conophorumand Enalapril treated groups. This observation was supported by histopathological report.The repeated administration of doxorubicincaused toxic damage to the myocardium. But treatment with the Tetracarpidium Conophorum significantly ameliorated (p < 0.05)the myocardium from the toxic damage. This study shows that wallnut has the potential that may have ameliorated the effect of doxorubicin.