Ameliorative Effect of Glycyrrhizic Acid against Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Rats

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a potent anticancer drug whose application is hampered by its cardiotoxicity mediated by oxidative stress and inflammation. Glycyrrhizic acid (glycyrrhizin) is a natural compound that exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant action. The present study aimed to examine whether the administration of glycyrrhizic acid can produce protective effect against acute DOX cardiotoxicity. Cardiotoxicity was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of DOX (15 mg/kg). Results revealed that DOX administration exhibited elevated serum level Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) myocardial TNF-α content, in addition to reduced myocardial Catalase (CAT) activity. Pretreatment with glycyrrhizic acid (100 mg/kg, orally) for nine days markedly ameliorated all these changes and substantially reduced the myocardium peroxidative damage. The protective effects obtained by glycyrrhizic acid may be via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and suggest its possible use to prevent or reduce doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.