Phoenix Dactylifera L. Tree Fruit Exerts Cardioprotective Effect Against Doxorubicin- Induced Heart Damage in Rats via Inhibition of Oxidative Stress

Introduction: Phoenix Dactylifera L (PDL) is a fruit containing a rich source of nutrients and bioactive mol- ecules. Doxorubicin is a widely used agent, especially in the treatment of solid cancers. However, cardiotoxicity is one of its most challenging side effects. The present study aimed to investigate the preventive effect of PDL extract against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Patients and Methods: A total of 24 albino Wistar rats were divided into four equal groups. Phoenix Dactylifera L (PDLG) and Phoenix Dactylifera L + doxorubicin (PDXG) groups were strictly fed PDL for two weeks. The control group (CG) and the doxorubicin group (DOXG) were fed a standard diet. During this time, 5 mg/kg of doxorubicin was injected intraperitoneally to DOXG and PDXG once a day. Results: Administration of doxorubicin to the DOXG significantly increased tissue oxidative stress parameters and caused the cardiac biomarker troponin-I (TP-I) to be released into the circulation; on the contrary, the levels of potent antioxidants such as total glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase significantly decreased in DOXG compared to the other three groups. However, feeding purely with PDL decreased oxidative stress pa- rameters and TP-I levels in PDXG animals, despite exposure to doxorubicin. Additionally, an excessive decrease of tissue antioxidants was prevented when compared to the DOXG. Histopathological damage signs, such as ne- crosis and hemorrhage, were severe in the DOXG. However, in the PDXG animals, feeding with PDL provided the integrity of the heart tissue structure. Conclusion: PDL was able to improve the cardiotoxic consequences of doxorubicin biochemically and histo- pathologically, possibly due to its antioxidant properties.