Ameliorative Potential of Different Doses of Indol-3-carbinol on Doxorubicin-induced Cardiotoxicity in Mice

Abstract

Background: Doxorubicin (DOX) is a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent that is associated with serious dose-limiting cardiotoxicity. This cardiotoxicity was attributed to various mechanisms including induction of oxidative stress and inflammation together with inhibition of apoptosis. Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is a phytochemical that was suggested to have potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Aim: It was to detect the possible ameliorative effects of different doses of I3C on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in mice. Methods: Eighty mice were divided into four equal groups: control untreated group; DOX group; DOX + I3C 1000 ppm group and DOX + I3C 2000 ppm group. Survival rate, serum creatine kinase (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and troponin I were measured. Also, tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), tissue catalase (CAT), tissue glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and tissue tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were determined. Parts of the heart were subjected to histopathological examination. Results: I3C produced dose-dependent significant increase in the survival rate, tissue GPx and CAT with significant decrease in serum CK-MB, LDH, troponin I, tissue MDA and TNF-α and improved the histopathological and immunohistochemical changes compared to DOX-treated group. Conclusion: I3C- in a dose dependent manner- had a protective effect against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in mice.