Effect of Leek Extract on Histological and Physiological Changes Resulting from Cardiotoxicity Induced by Doxorubicin Drug in the Albino Rat

الملخص

Doxorubicin (Doxor) drug is cytotoxic agent and belongs to anthracyclines sub-group of chemical complex and is used in cancer chemotherapy. The present experiment was conceived to that tested the role of leek (Allium porrum) extract regarding the protection of cardiac tissue from doxorubicin meditated injury in experimental animals. Thirty-two male white rats were assessed and randomly assigned to four equal groups: The first group was intraperitoneally injected with a normal saline solution (0.9%) twice a day for one week. The second group: were intraperitoneal injected with doxorubicin at dosing of 2.5 mg/kg/ 48 h. The third group: this group was administered a concentrated alcoholic leek extract at a dose of (400 mg/kg in the initial trial. Next after 4 hours of dosing it was intraperitoneally injected with doxorubicin at the as aforesaid concentration level for 8 weeks. Lastly, the last four animals were initially treated intraperitoneally with doxorubicin in a similar quantity for 4 consecutive weeks. Subsequently, the intraperitoneal injection was stopped and orally administered leek extract at the same volume as above was given for 4 weeks. After the end of the experiment period, blood samples were collected and made histological sections of the heart tissue of all experimental animals. The results showed an increase in the levels of each(cTn-1, LDH and AST) with a decrease in the levels of each(GSH and TAC) in the second group compared to the healthy control group, while it was noted in the third and fourth groups a decrease in the level of each cTn-1, LDH and AST with an increase in the level of antioxidants GSH and TAC compared to the second group, while the histological aspect showed the presence of  massive histological changes in the second group with the observation of the presence of simple histological changes in the third and fourth groups. We conclude from the results of our study the effectiveness of the leek plant in protecting the body tissues, including the heart muscle, from the toxic effects resulting from giving the drug doxorubicin.