The role of catechin against doxorubicin - induced cardiotoxicity in Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma Cells (EAC) bearing mice

Doxorubicin (Dox) is a chemotherapy drug used for treatment of wide variety of cancers. It known that, Dox may cause cardiotoxicity by producing free radicals and oxidative stress along the period of treatment. Catechin is considered one of the flavonoids which has powerful antioxidant properties and free radicals scavenger. The present work was designed to investigate the protective role of catechin on doxorubicin - induced cardiotoxicity in Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) bearing- mice and to test whether catechin has an effect on the antitumor properties of the Dox. Mice were divided into five groups as follows: (G1): Control group, (G2) Mice were injected with Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cells (2.5 x 10 6 EAC/ml) to form a solid tumor , (G3) Mice were inoculated with (2.5 x 10 6 EAC/ml) and injected (i.p.) with Doxorubicin (15 mg/kg), (G4) Mice were inoculated with (EAC) at the same dose and were injected (i.p.) with (200mg/kg) Catechin , Group5 (G5) Mice were injected (i.p.) with Doxorubicin 15mg/kg of and 200mg/kg of Catechin in addition to the inoculation with EAC (2.5 x 10 6 EAC/ml). Dox (15mg/kg) and /or Catechin (200mg/kg) were administrated after 10 days in EAC bearing- mice through a period of 2 weeks in six equal injections. Results showed that, EAC -bearing mice treated with Dox plus Catechin recorded decrease in the mean tumor weight and significant increase in the cumulative mean survival time as compared to the other treated groups. Biochemical studies of EAC inoculation showed decline in serum total protein and lactate dehydrogenase activities, while serum total lipid has significantly increased. The treatment of tumor-bearing mice with Dox plus Catechin (G5) improved these levels. Significant increase in cardiac lipid peroxidation and glutathione contents for both tumor-bearing mice (G2) and doxorubicin groups (G3) were recorded. Combined treatment of Dox and Catechin (G5) caused amelioration in these contents. Glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities showed highly significant increase in all treated groups. Administration of Dox plus Catechin (G5) modulate these activities. In conclusion, the present study suggested that Catechin treatment may significantly reduce cardiotoxicity induced by doxorubicin in Ehrlich Carcinoma - bearing mice by the induction of the cardiac antioxidant enzymes and blocking lipid peroxidation. Also, Catechin enhances the antitumor properties of doxorubicin by increasing its inhibitory effect on tumor growth. (Journal of American Science 2010;6(4):146-152). (ISSN: 1545-1003).