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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
A Doxorubicin-induced Cardiomyopathy Model in Adult Zebrafish
Published on: June 7, 2018
Protective effects of lycopene and tomato extract against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity
Gholamreza Karimi1, Mohammad Ramezani, Azadeh Abdi
1Department of Pharmacodynamy and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Gho_karimi@yahoo.com
Abstract:
The protective effect of tomato extract and lycopene on acute doxorubicin (DOX) myocardial toxicity was evaluated in mice. DOX toxicity, induced by a single intraperitoneal injection (15 mg/kg), was revealed by an elevated serum CPK(MB) and histopathological observations. Tomato extract (1.2 and 2.4 g/kg, i.p.) and lycopene (1.7 and 3.5 mg/kg, i.p.) prevented the rise in serum CPK(MB) and ameliorated cardiac cell injury. These results suggest that tomato extract and lycopene inhibit DOX cardiotoxicity and might serve as a novel combination chemotherapeutic agent with DOX to limit free radical-mediated organ injury.
Insights
Tomato extract and lycopene protect against doxorubicin (DOX) induced heart damage in mice. These natural compounds may help limit free radical injury when used with DOX chemotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Oncology
Background:
- Doxorubicin (DOX) is a potent chemotherapy agent with known cardiotoxicity.
- Myocardial damage from DOX is often mediated by free radicals.
- Natural compounds are being investigated for cardioprotective effects against chemotherapy-induced toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the protective effects of tomato extract and lycopene against acute doxorubicin-induced myocardial toxicity in a mouse model.
- To determine if tomato extract and lycopene can mitigate DOX-induced cardiac cell injury and biomarker changes.
Main Methods:
- Mice were administered a single intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin (15 mg/kg) to induce cardiotoxicity.
- Mice received varying doses of tomato extract (1.2 and 2.4 g/kg) or lycopene (1.7 and 3.5 mg/kg) intraperitoneally.
- Serum creatine kinase-MB (CPK(MB)) levels and histopathological examinations were used to assess cardiac damage.
Main Results:
- Doxorubicin administration significantly increased serum CPK(MB) levels and caused observable cardiac cell injury.
- Both tomato extract and lycopene treatments significantly prevented the rise in serum CPK(MB) levels.
- Histopathological analysis showed that tomato extract and lycopene ameliorated doxorubicin-induced cardiac cell injury.
Conclusions:
- Tomato extract and lycopene demonstrate significant cardioprotective effects against acute doxorubicin toxicity in mice.
- These findings suggest that tomato extract and lycopene can inhibit DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.
- Tomato extract and lycopene may represent novel agents for combination therapy with doxorubicin to reduce free radical-mediated organ damage.
