Apigenin improves myocardial function and attenuates cardiotoxicity induced by doxorubicin in male rats

Background: Doxorubicin has been used in the treatment of malignancies, including lymphoma, leukemia and breast cancer. Cardiotoxicity is the main adverse effect of doxorubicin. Apigenin, as a flavonoid, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti tumoral properties. The aim of this study is the assessment of the effect of apigenin on cardiotoxicity induced by doxorubicin. Materials and Methods: 60 male wistar rats were divided into 6 groups. Cardiotoxicity was induced by 6 injections of doxorubicin (2 mg/kg, ip) over 12 days. The treatment groups received orally 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg/day apigenin for 12 days simultaneously with cardiotoxicity induction. Results: The heart weight to body weight ratio showed no significant difference between different groups. In the apigenin group (25 mg/kg), EF and FS showed&nbsp; a significant increase (P<0.05) and LVEDs, LDH and CK-MB showed a significant decrease, in comparison to the cardiotoxicity group. Conclusion: Apigenin prevents LDH and CK-MB elevation and also EF and FS reduction and improves cardiac tissue changes and leads to a decrease in cardiac damage induced by doxorubicin.&nbsp