Cardio-protective potentials of Bryophyllum pinnatum against doxorubicin-induced heart impairment in Wistar rats

Doxorubicin (Dox), an antibiotic used to treat a variety of tumors, has several substantial adverse effects that limit its clinical utilization. Dox administration induces myocardial damage and impairs cardiac functions, Bryophyllum pinnatum is an effective anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory plant that treats many ailments. This study was therefore set to ascertain the cardioprotective role of Bryophyllum pinnatum (Crassulacaea) against Dox-induced cardiac damage in rats. Five groups of 7 rats each were used for the study. The control received normal rat feed and drinking water. Group 2 (Dox only) received 50 mg/kg of Doxorubicin i.p. once daily. Group 3 (Extract group) took 600mg/kg of the ethanolic extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum orally once daily. Group 4 (Dox + extract) had Doxorubicin + extract and group 5 (Dox + Bis) received Doxorubicin + 5mg/kg of Bisoprolol orally once daily. The feeding regimens lasted 28 days. Blood samples and the heart were collected. Our results revealed that administration of doxorubicin induced cardiac injured in rats with significant increases in Apolipoprotein-E, CRP and IL-6 and reduction in Apolipoprotein-A concentrations. Also, Dox-only group had significant (p<0.05) elevation of serum cardiac biomarkers (Troponin, myoglobin, CK-MB, ACE) as well as significant (p<0.05) reduction in NO concentration. Doxorubicin also significantly (p<0.05) reduced serum antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx and TAC) concentrations. Furthermore, all the photomicrographs featured damage to cardiomyocytes induced by doxorubicin administration. All these anomalies were ameliorated following treatment with ethanolic extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum or Bisoprolol. These findings reveal the cardio-protective potentials of Bryophyllum pinnatum extract against doxorubicin-induced heart damage in rats.