Evaluation Of Cardioprotective Potential of Aqueous Extract of Hibiscus Rosa Sinensis Against Doxorubicin Induced Cardiotoxicity in Albino Rats

Background: Cardiotoxicity is one of the most terrifying side effects of anticancer agents like Doxorubicin. Hibiscus rosa sinensis (Malvaceae family) has been found to have antiulcer, antidiabetic, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and antibacterial activity. Since not much literature was available on cardioprotective potential of Hibiscus rosa sinensis, the present study was undertaken to investigate the cardioprotective potential of aqueous extract of Hibiscus rosa sinensis. Material and Methods: Following approval from institutional animal ethics committee of L.L.R.M. Medical College registered under CPCSEA, India, this study was undertaken in Department of Pharmacology. During the study period of 21 days, 30 rats was randomized into five groups of 6 rats each. Group 1 was given Normal saline 1ml/kg orally (control) for 21 days. Group 2 in addition to normal saline was administered Doxorubicin (20mg/kg intraperitoneally) on 21st day of study. Group 3 was treated with Carvedilol 30 mg/kg orally for 21 days followed by Doxorubicin (20mg/kg intraperitoneally) on 21st day. Group 4 and 5 received aqueous extract of Coriander sativum orally in 2 graded doses for 21 days and Doxorubicin (20mg/kg intraperitoneally) on the 21st day. The rats were observed for 48 hours and then sacrificed under ketamine (75mg/kg) and xylazine (10mg/kg) anesthesia given intraperitoneally. Blood samples (volume ≈ 5ml) were collected from abdominal aorta for performing biochemical tests. The animals were sacrificed and heart was dissected out for histopathological study. The data obtained was organized and analyzed by suitable statistical methods i.e. ANOVA followed by Post Hoc test. Results: In the present study, serum Creatinine phosphokinase-MB (CK-MB), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were used as biochemical markers for assessing cardiac injury. The present study revealed increased levels of serum markers of cardiotoxicity such as CK-MB, LDH, AST and ALT on Doxorubicin administration (20mg/kg i.p). Biomarker levels were significantly lower in rats pretreated with Hibiscus rosa sinensis. Degree of protection with Hibiscus rosa sinensis against Doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity was also evident clearly on histopathological examination of cardiac tissue. Conclusion: Excessive formation of free radicals and oxidative stress resulted following doxorubicin administration. Hibiscus rosa sinensis significantly reduced doxorubicin induced damage to rat myocardium. No significant adverse effects were seen among the rats after the administration of aqueous extract of Hibiscus rosa sinensis for 21 days. This cardioprotective potential of Hibiscus rosa sinensis might be attributed to the antioxidant property of chemical compounds present in them and can serve as a good source for the production of a cardioprotective herbal medicine