CARDIOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF HYDRO-ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF CUMINUM CYMINUM SEEDS AGAINST ISOPRENALINE- AND DOXORUBICIN-INDUCED CARDIOTOXICITY IN RATS

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the cardioprotective potential of the hydro-ethanolic extract of Cuminum cyminum seeds against experimentally induced cardiotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: Seeds of Cuminum cyminum were shade-dried, powdered, and extracted using ethanol: water (70:30) in a Soxhlet apparatus. Preliminary phytochemical screening was performed, and the extract was standardized by determining total phenolic and total flavonoid content. In vitro antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and nitric oxide scavenging assays. Acute oral toxicity was conducted according to OECD guideline 423. For in vivo studies, cardiotoxicity was induced using doxorubicin (10 mg/kg, i.v.) and isoprenaline (85 mg/kg, s.c.). Rats were pretreated with hydro-ethanolic extract of Cuminum cyminum (HECC) at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o., and ascorbic acid (20 mg/kg, p.o.) as standard. Serum biochemical markers including CK-MB, LDH, SGOT, SGPT, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), total protein (TP), HDL, and LDL were estimated. Cardiac tissue homogenates were analyzed for reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation (LPO). Histopathological examination of myocardial tissue was performed. Results: The extract showed no mortality up to 2000 mg/kg in acute toxicity studies. HECC pretreatment significantly reduced serum cardiac biomarkers (CK-MB, LDH, SGOT, SGPT, TC, TG) and increased HDL levels compared to cardiotoxic control groups. Antioxidant analysis revealed a significant increase in GSH levels and a decrease in LPO levels. Histopathological evaluation demonstrated near-normal myocardial architecture in HECC-treated groups, particularly at 400 mg/kg, comparable to ascorbic acid. Conclusion: The hydro-ethanolic extract of Cuminum cyminum seeds exhibited significant dose-dependent cardioprotective activity against isoprenaline- and doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. The protective effect may be attributed to its phytoconstituents, including phenolics and flavonoids, and its potent antioxidant properties.