Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences

Abstract
Doxorubicin is a chemotherapeutic agent used to treat cancer, but its use is associated with cardiotoxicity. This study evaluated the effects of Balanites aegyptiaca seed oil extract on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. Extraction of the B. aegyptiaca seed oil was done by cold maceration, using n-hexane. Twenty-one male albino rats were used for the study. They were randomly assigned to three groups (A, B and C) of seven rats each. Baseline (day 0) parameters were assayed before groups B and C were given doxorubicin at 2.5 mg/kg body weight, by intraperitoneal injection every other day for five days to induce cardiotoxic damage. Group C rats were further treated daily with B. aegyptiaca oil extract by oral gavage at 2 ml/kg for seven days. Group A rats served as the normal control. Serum activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK), as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) and calcium levels were further assayed on days 7, 14 and 21 of the experiment. Three rats from each group were euthanized and the heart tissues were dissected and processed for histopathology. Results showed that doxorubicin administration led to significantly (p < 0.05) higher serum MDA levels and lower serum SOD activity on days 7, 14 and 21 in Group B rats and on days 7 and 14 in Group C rats. LDH and CK activities were significantly (p < 0.05) higher on day 14 in Groups B and C rats, and on day 21 in Group B rats only. Serum calcium levels was significantly (p < 0.05) higher on day 21 in Group C rats. There was severe coagulative necrosis, petechial haemorrhages and mild infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells in the interstitial and perivascular spaces of the heart tissue of the Group B rats. The heart tissue of Group C rats showed no evidence of myocardial necrosis. It was concluded that B. aegyptiaca seed oil extract ameliorated doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, and may serve as a useful adjunct to doxorubicin chemotherapy.

Keywords: Doxorubicin; Cardiotoxicity; Balanites aegyptiaca seed oil extract; Histopathology, Oxidative stress.

How to cite this article:
Anyogu DC, Onyema I, Kalu GC and Emejuo NT (2024). Effects of Balanites aegyptiaca seed oil extract on doxorubicin-induced
cardiotoxicity in albino rats. Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences, 14(1): 533 – 543.

*Correspondence: E-mail: ifeanyi.onyema@unn.edu.ng Phone: +2348063707010