DOI: 10.5061/dryad.3r2280gvk
title: Protective effects of <em>Melissa officinalis</em> ethanolic extract on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in a rat model

description: Despite its proven efficacy in cancer treatment, doxorubicin's
 therapeutic potential is limited by cumulative, dose-dependent
 cardiotoxicity, primarily associated with oxidative stress. Given the
 well-documented antioxidant properties of Melissa officinalis L., this
 study aimed to assess the cardioprotective potential of its ethanolic
 extract (MOE) against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC). Twenty-one
 female Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups: CTRL
 (healthy, untreated), DOX (doxorubicin-treated), and DOX-MO (treated with
 both doxorubicin and MOE). Doxorubicin (15mg/kg, i.p.) was administered on
 Day 8, while MOE (200mg/kg, orally) was given daily for 10 days. Cardiac
 function was evaluated using echocardiography and Langendorff-perfused
 hearts, followed by analysis of oxidative stress markers and morphometric
 analysis. MOE improved cardiac function and partially preserved myocardial
 architecture following DIC, significantly reducing fibrosis compared to
 the DOX group. Nitrite levels were significantly elevated in MOE-treated
 rats, suggesting preserved endothelial function and enhanced nitric
 oxidemediated vasodilation. These results suggest that MOE may mitigate
 DIC through antioxidative and vasodilatory mechanisms, as well as by
 preserving endothelial and myocardial integrity. Histological findings
 further indicate a possible reduction in inflammatory changes, supporting
 a modest anti-inflammatory effect. These findings suggest that MOE may
 have cardioprotective potential against DIC, warranting further
 investigation in preclinical and clinical settings.
description: # Protective Effects of *Melissa officinalis* Ethanolic Extract on
 Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in a Rat Model ## Summary of
 Experimental Efforts This dataset supports a preclinical study
 investigating the cardioprotective potential of *Melissa officinalis*
 ethanolic extract (MOE) against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC)
 in female Wistar albino rats. The study included 21 rats divided into
 three groups: healthy control (CTRL), doxorubicin-treated (DOX), and
 doxorubicin plus MOE (DOX-MO). MOE was administered orally for 10 days,
 and doxorubicin was injected intraperitoneally on Day 8. The experiment
 evaluated in vivo cardiac function using echocardiography, ex vivo
 function using the Langendorff heart model, oxidative stress biomarkers in
 cardiac effluent, histological assessments, and antioxidant capacity of
 MOE via in vitro assays. --- ## File Structure and Contents ###
 Antioxidant_activity_MOE.xlsx * **Content**: Total phenolic content (TPC)
 of MOE extract. * **Variables**: * `Values`: Sample ID * `mg GAE`: Total
 phenolics (mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry extract) * `AA`: Ascorbic acid
 (µg/ml) * `BHA`: Butylated hydroxyanisole (µg/ml) * `TROLOX`:
 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid (µg/ml) *
 **Assay**: Folin-Ciocalteu method using microplate spectrophotometry. ###
 Cardiodynamics.xlsx * **Content**: Ex vivo heart function parameters
 recorded during Langendorff perfusion. * **Variables**: * `HR`: Heart rate
 (beats/min) * `dp/dt max` and `dp/dt min`: Max/min pressure change
 (mmHg/s) * `SLVP`: Systolic left ventricular pressure (mmHg) * `DLVP`:
 Diastolic pressure (mmHg) * `CF`: Coronary flow (mL/min) * **Measurement
 Timepoints**: Stabilization, post-ischemia (every 5 minutes for 40
 minutes). ### Colagen.xlsx * **Content**: Picrosirius Red quantification
 of myocardial collagen deposition. * **Variables**: * `Collagen %`: Area
 percentage of red-stained collagen fibers. * **Interpretation**: Reflects
 myocardial fibrosis severity. ### EHO.xlsx * **Content**:
 Echocardiographic parameters measured via M-mode. * **Variables**: *
 `LVIDd`, `LVIDs`: Left ventricular internal diameters (cm) * `IVSd`,
 `IVSs`: Septal wall thickness (cm) * `PWd`, `PWs`: Posterior wall
 thickness (cm) * `EF`: Ejection fraction (%) * `FS`: Fractional shortening
 (%) * `LVEDV`, `LVESV`: Volumes from Teichholz formula (mL) ###
 HE_Histology.xlsx * **Content**: Morphometric analysis of histological
 slides (H&E). * **Variables**: * `CSA`: Cross-sectional area of
 cardiomyocytes (µm²) * `LSD`: Longitudinal section diameter (µm) *
 **Qualitative**: Scores for inflammation, fiber waviness, and nuclear
 hypertrophy. ### Oxidative_stress_efluent.xlsx * **Content**: Markers of
 oxidative stress in coronary venous effluent. * **Variables**: * `O2−`:
 Superoxide anion radical (absorbance 530 nm) * `H2O2`: Hydrogen peroxide
 (absorbance 610 nm) * `NO2−`: Nitrite (μmol/L via Griess assay) * `TBARS`:
 Lipid peroxidation index (nmol/mg protein) * **Timepoints**: Stabilization
 and every 5–10 min during reperfusion. ### Weight.xlsx * **Content**:
 Animal body weights tracked throughout experiment. * **Timepoints**: Day 0
 (baseline), Day 7 (pre-doxorubicin), Day 10 (sacrifice day) * **Units**:
 Grams (g) * **Variables**: * `CTRL I`: Control group, Day 0 (g) * `DOX I`:
 DOX group, Day 0 (g) * `DOX-MO I`: DOX-MO group, Day 0 (g) * `CTRL II`:
 Control group, Day 7 (g) * `DOX II`: DOX group, Day 7 (g) * `DOX-MO II`:
 DOX-MO group, Day 7 (g) * `CTRL III`: Control group, Day 10 (g) * `DOX
 III`: DOX group, Day 10 (g) * `DOX-MO III`: DOX-MO group, Day 10 (g) ---
 ## Abbreviations and Definitions | Term | Meaning | | ----------------- |
 --------------------------------------------- | | MOE | *Melissa
 officinalis* ethanolic extract | | DIC | Doxorubicin-induced
 cardiotoxicity | | EF, FS | Ejection Fraction, Fractional Shortening (%) |
 | TBARS | Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances | | dp/dt | Rate of
 pressure change in ventricle (mmHg/s) | | CSA, LSD | Cross-section area
 and longitudinal diameter | | IVS, LVID, PW | Echocardiographic wall
 measurements (cm) | | CTRL, DOX, DOX-MO | Experimental groups | --- ##
 Missing Data * No placeholder values used. * Missing data are indicated by
 **empty cells**. --- ## Related Resources * Manuscript: *Protective
 Effects of Melissa officinalis Ethanolic Extract on Doxorubicin-Induced
 Cardiotoxicity in a Rat Model* * Corresponding author: Dr. Isidora
 Milosavljević\ Email:
 [isidora.milosavljevic@fmn.kg.ac.rs](mailto:isidora.milosavljevic@fmn.kg.ac.rs) --- ## License and Reuse * License: Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication applies to all materials deposited in this Dryad data package. These materials may be used, shared, modified, and distributed without restriction. * Scope: This CC0 waiver applies only to the contents of this Dryad repository submission and does not affect the copyright status of the journal manuscript or any third-party materials included under separate terms. * Citation: While not required by the CC0 license, citation of the associated manuscript is appreciated and strongly encouraged when reusing these data. * Recommended Citation: Terzić J. et al. Protective Effects of Melissa officinalis Ethanolic Extract on Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in a Rat Model. [Journal], [Year]. DOI: [Insert when available] --- ## Notes for Reuse and Replication * Data derived directly from controlled laboratory experiments. * All experimental design, methods, and statistical tests are described in detail in the associated manuscript. * Sample sizes for each group: **n = 7** * Measured values are representative of both functional and biochemical effects of treatment. * This dataset is suitable for meta-analysis, replication, and educational use in cardiovascular pharmacology and toxicology research.