Portulaca oleracea protects H9c2 cardiomyocytes against doxorubicin-induced toxicity via regulation of oxidative stress and apoptosis

Abstract  Background and Objectives: Doxorubicin as an effective chemotherapeutic agent is frequently used in various cancers. Nowadays, the application of doxorubicin is limited due to its cardiotoxic effects. The important mechanism which is involved in the cardiac injury of doxorubicin is the generation of reactive oxygen species; therefore antioxidant compounds may reduce cardiotoxicity. Materials and methods: In this research we evaluated the protective effects of Portulaca oleracea against doxorubicin induced damage in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. The H9c2 cells were pre-treated 2h with different concentrations (12-200µg/ml) of extract or resveratrol (positive control), then doxorubicin was added for 24h. Results: The results reveal that doxorubicin extremely decreased cell viability via increasing of malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species and apoptotic cells. The extract could reverse doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity through anti-oxidant activity, as well as resveratrol. Conclusion: In conclusion, we witnessed that Portulaca oleracea has protective effect against doxorubicin-caused cardiomyocytes damage and could be considered as a natural cardio-protective agent for treatment of doxorubicin cardiotoxicity.