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Schisandra chinensis protects against adriamycin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats
Jyh-Sheng You1, Tai-Long Pan, Yu-Chang Hou
1School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipe, ROC. y0606@mail.cgu.edu.tw
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.
Conclusion:
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.
Insights
Schisandra (SC) protects against Adriamycin (ADR) cardiotoxicity by improving antioxidant status and cardiac function. SC treatment mitigates ADR-induced damage, suggesting a therapeutic role in cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Adriamycin (ADR) is a potent chemotherapy drug with dose-limiting cardiotoxicity.
- ADR-induced cardiotoxicity is linked to oxidative stress, inhibiting nucleic acid and protein synthesis.
- Schisandra (SC) possesses significant antioxidant properties that may counteract ADR toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of Schisandra (SC) against Adriamycin (ADR)-induced cardiotoxicity.
- To evaluate SC's impact on myocardial antioxidant levels and lipid peroxidation in the context of ADR treatment.
Main Methods:
- Wistar rats were assigned to control, ADR, SC, or SC + ADR groups.
- Cardiac function, nucleic acid and protein synthesis rates, myocardial antioxidants, and lipid peroxidation were assessed.
- Key markers included malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities.
Main Results:
- ADR induced cardiotoxicity, evidenced by ascites, liver congestion, and impaired cardiac function.
- ADR decreased nucleic acid and protein synthesis, elevated MDA, and reduced GSHPx and SOD activity.
- SC administration significantly reduced mortality and ascites, while increasing GSHPx, macromolecular biosynthesis, and SOD activities, and decreasing lipid peroxidation.
Conclusions:
- ADR cardiotoxicity is associated with an antioxidant deficit in the heart.
- Schisandra (SC) treatment effectively improves the cardiac antioxidant status.
- SC demonstrates a cardioprotective effect, enhancing cardiac function in the presence of ADR.
