The aim of this work was to investigate possible ameliorative action of Hemidesmus indicus root extract (HiRe) against doxorubicin (Dox) induced toxicity. HiRe was administered 14 days before doxorubicin (25 mg/kg.b.wt) administration. Mouse in all groups was sacrificed 24 hrs after doxorubicin injection. Serum markers of heart injury –LDH, CPK, SGOT and SGPT levels, which were markedly increased by doxorubicin treatment, were decreased to normal levels by HiRe pre-treatment. Antioxidant enzymes-SOD, CAT and GPx, as well as GSH levels in heart tissue decreased drastically after doxorubicin injection. HiRe pretreatment elevated these levels significantly. Oxidative stress markers in heart tissue, which were high in control animals, were decreased significantly by HiRe pretreatment. The biochemical changes were consistent with histopathological observations, suggesting that Hemidesmus indicus, due to its antioxidant properties significantly reduced the oxidative stress and thereby toxicity induced by doxorubicin.
