Effets préventifs de l’extrait aqueux des graines de picralima nitida (stapf) t. durand & h. durand (apocynaceae) contre la cardiomyopathie induite par la doxorubicine chez le rat

Abstract

The use of anthracyclines in cancer treatment secondarily induces cardiomyopathy. The present study was carried out to assess the preventive effects of Picralima nitida aqueous extract against cardiomyopathy induced by doxorubicin, a reference anthracycline. Thirty rats weighing between 180 and 200 g were divided into 5 groups of 6 rats each. Group 1 received distilled water (10 ml/kg) orally for 31 days. The other 4 groups received distilled water (10 mL/kg, Group 2), ramipril (10 mg/kg, Group 3) and P. Nitida extract at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg respectively for 31 days (Groups 4 and 5). Doxorubicin (10 mg/kg) was administered one day before the end of the experiment, i.e. on day 30, to animals in groups 2 to 5. The following day, the animals were weighed and anaesthetised. An electrocardiogram and measurements of blood pressure and heart rate were taken using the BIOPAC Student Lab device. The heart, liver and kidneys were then sampled and weighed. Serum markers of cardiac inflammation and markers of oxidative stress were assessed by colorimetric assay. Histology of the heart and liver was then performed. The aqueous extract of P. nitida seeds induced a significant decrease in the amplitude of P, QRS and T waves as well as heart rate compared with the negative control. The extract significantly decreased the activity of cardiac markers of inflammation (myocardial band creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase) and nitrites, and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and reduced glutathione. Histological studies showed that rats treated with plant extract and Ramipril protected the heart against muscle fibre disorganisation, muscle dilation and leukocyte infiltration, which was also observed in the liver compared with the negative control. These results show that the aqueous extract of P nitida seeds exerts protective effects against doxorubicin-induced cardiac damage, making this plant a candidate for the management of cardiomyopathy secondary to anthracycline treatment.