Protective Role of Nanocurcumin in Cyclophosphamide-induced Cardiac Toxicity in Adult Male Albino Rat: A Histological, Immunohistochemical, Biochemical Study

Background: Cyclophosphamide (CYP) is a cardiotoxic agent with antineoplastic and immunosuppressive properties. Objectives: To detect the histological, immunohistochemical, biochemical cardiac toxicity of CYP and determine the protective effectiveness of nanocurcumin on the cardiac muscle of albino rats. Material and methods: The current work used forty Wistar rats allocated into four groups; normal control (I), sham control (II), CYP-treated (III) and concomitant protective CYP + nanocurcumin (IV). Results: CYP-treated group (III) showed fragmented, disrupted cardiac myocytes with cellular infiltrates and interstitial edema. Blood vessels were dilated congested. Cardiac myocytes showed pyknosis, vacuolations and some showed karyolysis. Much improvement was observed in group IV. The area percentage of fibrous tissue, TNF-α and iNOS immunoreactivity in CYP-treated group III showed statistically significant increase in contrast to that of the control group. Use of nanocurcumin in groups IV ameliorate these changes. Biochemically, there were significant increase in means of CK-MB, cTn-1, MDA, levels and decrease of GPx activity in group III (CYP -treated group) compared to the control group. Uses of nanocurcumin has been observed to improve these changes. Conclusion: Cyclophosphamide (CYP) had deleterious effects on the histological structure of the heart, cardiac enzymes, collagen fibers deposition and myofibroblast proliferation in albino rats. Administration of nanocurcumin with CYP injection could largely ameliorate these changes