Comparison of Cardioprotective Effects of Amlodipine, Ficus Carica Leaf and Fruit Extracts on Histopathological Profile of Myocarditis Caused by Doxorubicin in Rat Model.

Background: Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anticancerous drug causing free radical mediated cardiotoxicity. This damage is usually treated by drugs like Amlodipine. Objectives: To compare the protective effects of Amlodipine, Ficus carica leaf & fruit extracts on doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity. Methods: This study was conducted for 10 days, in Postgraduate Medical Institute (PGMI), Lahore. Total of 50 rats were divided into 5 groups with each group containing 10 rats. Group 1(control), Group 2 (DOX 15mg/kg single intraperitoneal injection), Group3 (DOX 15mg/kg single intraperitoneal injection + 5mg/kg/d of Amlodipine was given via NG tube daily for 10 days), Group 4 (DOX 15mg/kg single intraperitoneal injection + 400mg/kg/d of Ficus carica leaf extract orally for 10 days), Group 5 (DOX 15mg/kg single intraperitoneal injection + 400mg/kg/d of Ficus Carica fruit extract orally for 10 days). Results: DOX produced severe (Grade 3) damage to cardiac cells. Beneficial effects produced by Ficus Carica leaf and fruit extracts were comparable to that of Amlodipine. Both the extracts have significantly reduced the Oedema, vacuolization, myocardial atrophy and degeneration in cardiac cells of rats. Conclusion: The Ficus carica leaf and fruit extracts have potential to protect against the doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]