CARDIOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF SILYMARIN AND VITAMIN E AGAINST DOXORUBICIN-INDUCED CARDIOTOXICITY IN RATS: EVIDENCE FROM OXIDATIVE STRESS MARKERS AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity (DIC) is a challenge in clinical settings, with limited therapeutic options. This research was designed to investigate the enhanced cardioprotective potential of combined silymarin and vitamin E therapy. METHODS: An in vivo approach was used in order to examine the efficacy of silymarin and vitamin E in protecting myocardial tissue from doxorubicin-induced damage. Doxorubicin was given intraperitoneally at a weekly dose of 5 mg/kg. This study analysed changes in body weight, markers of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis, serum activity of lactate dehydrogenase and cardiac Troponin, in addition to the histological examination of heart tissue samples of the treated animals. RESULTS: Doxorubicin administration caused a significant reduction in body weight and elevated serum levels of Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) and Troponin I compared to the control group (P<0.05). In cardiac tissue, doxorubicin treatment significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Caspase-3, and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, while significantly decreasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and Bcl-2 levels (P<0.001). The co-administration of silymarin and vitamin E significantly attenuated these biochemical alterations, maintained body weight, and restored oxidative and inflammatory markers to levels comparable to the control group. Histopathological examination revealed that the combination therapy effectively preserved myocardial architecture and reduced fibrosis and congestion compared to the doxorubicin-only group. CONCLUSION: The present study confirmed that at the examined doses, silymarin and vitamin E exhibit a protective effect on the heart tissue against doxorubicin-induced toxicity.