Cardiotoxicity induced by cyclophosphamide in rats: Protective effect of curcumin

The possible protective effects of curcumin have been addressed in the current study. Cardiotoxicity was induced by challenging male Swiss albino rats with a single dose of cyclophosphamide (150 mg/kg, i.p.). Curcumin (200 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered for 8 consecutive days followed by a single dose of cyclophosphamide. Cardiotoxicity was well characterized morphologically and biochemically. The hallmark of this toxicity was marked congestion and edema in rat cardiac tissues, as well as severe inflammation in the cardiac muscles. Lymphocytic infiltration was also observed and determined by histopathological examination. Prior administration of curcumin ahead of cyclophosphamide challenge improved all the biochemical and histological alterations induced by the cytotoxic drug. Based on these broad findings, it could be concluded that curcumin has proven protective efficacy in this cyclophosphamide myocarditits model, possibly through modulating the release of inflammatory endocoids, namely tumor necrosis factor-alpha and nitric oxide, improving the energy status and restoring the oxidant/antioxidant balance.