Lupeol and its ester ameliorate the cyclophosphamide provoked cardiac lysosomal damage studied in rat

Cyclophosphamide (CP), an alkylating agent widely used in cancer chemotherapy causes fatal cardiotoxicity. Lupeol, a pentacyclic triterpene, isolated from Crataeva nurvala stem bark and its ester, lupeol linoleate possess a wide range of medicinal properties. The effect of lupeol and its ester was evaluated in CP-induced myocardial toxicity in rats. Male albino rats of Wistar strain were categorized into six groups. Group I served as control. Rats in groups II, V and VI animals were injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of CP (200 mg/kg body weight) dissolved in saline. CP-treated groups V and VI received lupeol and lupeol linoleate (50 mg/kg body weight), respectively, dissolved in olive oil for 10 days by oral gavage. CP-administered rats showed a significant increase (p < 0.001) in the activities of lysosomal hydrolases in serum and heart, a decrease (p < 0.001) in the levels of cellular thiols and myofibres were swollen with loss of myofilaments in electron microscopical analysis in heart. Lupeol and its ester showed reversal of the above alterations induced by CP. These findings demonstrate that the supplementation with lupeol and its ester could preserve lysosomal integrity, improve thiol levels, highlighting their protective effect against CP-induced cardiotoxicity.