Methanolic Leaf Extract of Parkia biglobosa Protects against Doxorubicin-induced Cardiotoxicity in rats

Abstract

Summary . Aqueous-methanolic leaf extract of Parkia biglobosa (PBE) was investigated for its effects on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and phytochemical constituents. Adult albino rats weighing (200g-220g) were pretreated with ramipril (10mg/kg/day) or PBE (25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, 75 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg/day) by gavage for 14 consecutive days before receiving single i ntraperitoneal (i.p) dose of doxorubicin (15mg/kg) on the 13 th day. Animals were sacrificed twenty hours after the last administration and the heart homogenate and serum were analysed for biochemical indices of oxidative stress, tissue markers of cardiotoxicity and serum lipid profile. Results revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides, total flavonoid (121.30±3.2 mg Quercetin equivalent), total phenol (55.40±1.2 mg gallic acid equivalent), and dose-dependent reduction of iron-induced MDA formation in rat’s heart by PBE. Doxorubicin caused significant elevations (P<0.05) of cardiac MDA, serum creatine kinase-MB, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and dyslipidemia while causing significant reduction in the levels/or activities of cardiac reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase and superoxide dismutase. Pretreatment with PBE prevented most of these derangements in a comparable manner to that of ramipril. It may be concluded from the study that PBE can protect against doxorubicin-induced toxicity probably via antioxidative and antihyperlipidemic mechanisms. Industrial relevance. The use of plants and plant-products will continue to find relevance in the treatment and management of numerous diseases and /or pathological conditions especially in the low-income countries due to the ready accessibility and inexpensive nature of these materials. Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) Benth., is a common and widespread tree in tropical Africa where it is used for timber and food and also with popular ethnomedicinal applications in the treatment of cardiovascular-related complications. This study was undertaken to provide scientific information on the folkloric claims on the plant. The active phytoconstituents responsible for the medicinal property could be isolated and developed into suitable formulations to provide a cheaper, safer and effective cardioprotective option, on a commercial scale. Keywords. Parkia biglobosa; cardiotoxicity; doxorubicin; antioxidants; antihyperlipidemic