Protective Effect of 6-Gingerol Against Cardiotoxicity Induced by Doxorubicin

Abstract: Doxorubicin (DOX) has a wide spectrum of antitumor activity with dose-related cardiotoxicity as a major side effect. This cardiotoxicity has been suggested to result from enhanced oxidative stress caused by oxygen centered free radicals. The present study was performed to investigate the influence of the antioxidant 6-gingerol on cardiotoxicity in-duced by doxorubicin (DOX). A single dose of DOX (20 mg/kg i.p.) induced myocardial toxicity after 48 hrs, manifested biochemically by a significant elevation in the following serum enzymes activities: creatine phosphokinase (E.C.2.7.3.2), lactate dehydrogenase (E.C.1.1.1.27), aspartate transaminase (E.C.2.6.1.1) and serum cardiac isoenzyme creatine phos-phokinase (MB). Administration of 6-gingerol (10 mg/kg/day p.o.) in drinking water starting 5 days before and continuing during the experimental period significantly ameliorated myocardial toxicity induced by DOX. The amelioration of car-diotoxicity was evidenced by significant reductions in serum enzymes activities and cardiac isoenzyme. The current data support 6-gingerol as a potentially selective cardioprotective agent, against cardiotoxicity induced by DOX and it may therefore improve the therapeutic index of DOX.