Schisandra chinensis protects against adriamycin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats.
BACKGROUND
Adriamycin (ADR) is an effective chemotherapeutic agent against cancers but its clinical use is limited due to its cardiotoxicity. It has been suggested that the pathogenesis involves inhibition of nucleic acid and protein synthesis, free radical formation and lipid peroxidation. Schisandra (SC) has strong antioxidant activity. We investigate the protective effects of SC on adriamycin-induced cardiotoxicity.


METHODS
Wistar rats were divided into four groups: CONT (control), ADR, SC and SC + ADR. After treatment, the hearts of the rats were surgically removed and studied for synthesis rates of nucleic acid and protein, myocardial antioxidants and lipid peroxidation.


RESULTS
Cardiotoxicity was characterized by ascites, congested liver and depressed cardiac function. Nucleic acid and protein synthesis were inhibited, malondialdehyde (MDA) was increased, while myocardial glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were decreased by ADR. In contrast, administration of SC before and concurrent with ADR significantly reduced mortality and the amount of ascites. Indexes in myocardial GSHPx, macromolecular biosynthesis and SOD activities increased with a concomitant decrease in lipid peroxidation.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that ADR cardiotoxicity is associated with antioxidant deficit and SC treatment changes the antioxidant status of the heart and improves cardiac function.
You
Jyh-Sheng
JS
School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipe, ROC. y0606@mail.cgu.edu.tw
Pan
Tai-Long
TL
Hou
Yu-Chang
YC
D000818:Animals; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000633:toxicity*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000633:toxicity*; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D032141:Schisandra; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D004317:Doxorubicin; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase