Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Public Health, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi Arabia.
2
Health and Humanities Research Center, University of Bisha, P.O. Box 225, Bisha, Saudi Arabia.
3
HIMT College of Pharmacy, Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU), Greater Noida; India.
4
Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.
5
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi Arabia.
6
Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
7
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmacy Practice Research Unit, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
8
Pharmacy Department, Jazan University Hospital, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
Doxorubicin (DOX) is a well-known widely-used chemotherapeutic agent in cancer
patients. Clinical findings have revealed its association with cardiotoxicity in patients
subjected to prolonged administration. Chronic cardiotoxicity may appear after long
treatment, with a cumulative dosage exceeding 500–550 mg/m² being a critical risk
factor. Poppy seed oil is rich in antioxidants and polyunsaturated fatty acids
demonstrated efficacy in attenuating oxidative stress and modulating inflammatory
responses. In this study, we have investigated the cardioprotective potential of poppy
seed oil in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity model of Wistar rats. DOX was administered
(2.5 mg/kg) on alternate days for 14 days to induce cardiotoxicity in groups 2, 3 and 4
rats. Poppy seed oil in dose of 500 and 1000 mg/kg was administered orally for 14 days
to groups 3 and 4 rats. Cardiac injury biochemical markers (CK-MB, LDH and
Troponin-I), oxidative stress (MDA, SOD, CAT, GSH, GR and GPx), and inflammatory
cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) were assessed. Additionally, histopathological assessment of
cardiac tissue was performed to exhibit structural alterations. The administration of
poppy seed oil significantly improved cardiac biochemical markers, diminished
oxidative stress, and restored antioxidant enzyme levels in DOX-treated rats. It also
mitigated myocardial damage, as evidenced by decreased lipid peroxidation and reduced
levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Histopathological analysis exhibited significant
reduction in myocardial degeneration and inflammatory cell infiltration in the poppy
seed oil-treated groups. These findings suggest that poppy seed oil may be used as
adjunct therapy to reduce chemotherapy-induced cardiac damage, thus warranting
further clinical investigation.
Keywords