Cleistopholis patens root bark extract exerts cardioprotective effect against doxorubicin-induced myocardial toxicity in rats
Authors: Ononiwu Chidinma Pamela , Joshua Parker Elijah , Amah Christian Chijioke , Asomadu Rita Onyekachukwu , Okorigwe Ekezie Matthew , Nnemolisa Chukwubuikem Stephen , Ezeorba Timothy Prince Chidike , Nwanelo Valentine Odirachukwumma , Iyidiegwu Favour Chinagorom , Duru Justin Onuawuchi , Okeke Peace Nkiruka , Adiele Onyinyechi Becky 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Background
Myocardial Infarction still persists as the most prevalent cardiovascular disease and is a top cause of morbidity and mortality in doxorubicin treated cancer patients. This study evaluated the prophylactic effect of the ethanol root bark extract of Cleistopholis patens (ERBECP) against doxorubicin-induced myocardial infarction in wistar rats. Extraction, preliminary phytochemical analysis, acute toxicity study and body weight (b.w.) of ERBECP were achieved using standard methods. Phyto-constituents in ERBECP were indentified using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) technique. Thirty (30) male albino Wistar rats of average b.w. ranging between 100 and 130 g were divided into six groups of five rats each. Groups I, II and III served as normal, doxorubicin (DOX) and standard (Vasoprin 150 mg/kg b.w) controls respectively, while groups IV, V and VI were orally pre-treated with the extract (200, 400 and 600 mg/kgb.w) for two weeks prior to intraperitoneal induction of cardiotoxicity with DOX (20 mg/kg bw) on day 14.

Results
Disturbances in serum cardiac function bio-markers such as; Cardiac Troponin-I (CTnI), Creatine Kinase (CK), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Lipid profile markers such as; Total cholesterol (TC), Triacylglycerol (TAG), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL). Oxidative stress markers such as; Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione (GSH) confirmed the induction of myocardial infarction. Histological assessment of heart tissues was performed to validate biochemical results. The GC–MS analysis of ERBECP identified a total of 69 compounds. Safety profile of the aqueous extract was safe for the animals up to the highest dose of 5000 mg/kg b.w. Pre-treatment of DOX group with ERBECP could significantly increase the b.w. compared to the DOX-treated group during the experimental period of 2 weeks. There were significant (p < 0.05) alterations in the levels of CTnI, CK, LDH, AST, ALT and lipid profile indices in the DOX control rats. Also, significant (p < 0.05) increase was observed in MDA and decrease in SOD, CAT and GSH in the DOX control rats. However, administration of the extract significantly (p < 0.05) normalized these alterations and reversed the architectural changes in the heart. The 69 compounds were screened against the target protein (CBR1); we identified seven hits based on the docking score and interactions with the active site residues. All the C. patens constituents had MW (g/mol) less than 500, HBA < 10 and HBD not more than 5. Apart, 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)-, 2,3-dihydroxy propyl ester and Estra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17. beta. -ol, all the constituents had LD50 lower than 2000 mg/kg.

Conclusions
The findings reveals ERBECP demonstrated promising potential and can be exploited in the development novel cardiac therapeutic agents.