Ethanolic extract of Boswellia ovalifoliolata bark and leaf attenuates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in mice

• Alcoholic bark and leaf extract of Boswellia ovalifoliolata (BO) showed strong antioxidant activity.
• These extracts of BO reduce SGPT, SGOT, LDH and CKMB activities, as well as MDA and ROS levels in doxorubicin treated animals.
• These extracts of BO also increase the levels of GSH, catalase and SOD levels in doxorubicin treated animals.
• Electrocardiogram tracing shows the protection from doxorubicin (DOX) induced ST segment alteration.

The aim of the study was to investigate the potential protective effect of ethanolic extract of Boswellia ovalifoliolata (BO) bark and leaf against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity in mice. Ethanolic extracts of BO bark (400 mg/kg) and leaves (250 mg/kg) were given orally to mice for 9 consecutive days and DOX (15 mg/kg; i.p.) was administered on the seventh day. Extract protected against DOX-induced ECG changes. It significantly inhibited DOX-provoked glutathione depletion and accumulation of malondialdehyde. The decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase in cardiac tissue were significantly (p < 0.05) mitigated after treatment with BO bark and leaf extracts. Pretreatment with BO significantly (p < 0.05) restored the levels of DOX-induced rise of SGPT, SGOT, serum lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase-MB levels. These findings suggest that ethanolic extract of BO has protective effects against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.