CARDIOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF TAGETES PATULA FLOWERS AGAINST CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE INDUCED CARDIOTOXICITY IN RATS: A BIOCHEMICAL, AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is commonly used as an anticancer and immunosuppressive agent. It is a potent cardiotoxic agent associated with acute cardiotoxicity such as fatal cardiomyopathy, cardiomegaly, and severe congestive cardiac failure. The drug is often used to induce cardiotoxicity models in experimental animals. The present study is to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Tagetes patula flowers (AETP) against cyclophosphamide induced cardiotoxicity in albino rats.

Methods: 20 healthy wistar albino rats were divided into 4 groups. Group I (Normal) received normal saline intraperitoneal on day 1 and 2% gum acacia suspension p.o for 10 days. Group II (CP treated) received cyclophosphamide 150 mg/kg i.p on day 1 and 2% gum acacia suspension p.o for 10 days. Group III (AETP 200 mg/kg) and Group IV (AETP 400 mg/kg) were treated with cyclophosphamide 150 mg/kg i.p on day 1 and AETP 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg per orally respectively for 10 days. Cardiac biomarkers like creatinine kinase (CK), CK isoenzyme MB, and lactate dehydrogenase were assessed. Histopathological examination of the myocardium was done.

Results: CP treated group demonstrated significant elevation of cardiac biomarkers along with damage of myocardium. However, treatment with aqueous extract of Tagetes patula flowers revealed potential protective effect on myocardial tissue and improved cardiac biomarkers.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated the protective role of aqueous extract of Tagetes patula flowers against CP-induced myocardial injury.

Keywords: Tagetes patula, Cyclophosphamide, Cardiotoxicity, Cardiac biomarkers.