The effect of catechin on the liver oxidative stress induced by doxorubicin treatment in mice inoculated with Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma

Abstract

This investigation aims to evaluate the antioxidant potential of catechin on the liver toxicity induced by doxorubicin treatment in mice inoculated with Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC). Tumor was induced in mice by intraperitoneal injection of EAC cells (2.5x106cells/ml/mouse) during the whole experimental time (24 days).The antitumor Doxorubicin (15mg/kg.bwt.) and /or the antioxidant catechin (200mg/kg.bwt) were administrated (i.p.) to the experimental animals after 10 days of tumor inoculation for 2 weeks. Animals were divided into five groups as follows: 1-Control group ; 2-Mice were inoculated with Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cells ; 3-Mice were inoculated with EAC cells and injected with Dox 4- Mice were inoculated with (EAC) cells and injected with Catechin ; 5- Mice were injected with both Dox and Catechin in addition to the inoculation with EAC cells. Results obtained from the biochemical studies showed increase in hepatic AST and ALT activities in EAC bearing mice group while doxorubicin administration decreased these enzymes. The data verified significant increase in hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) accompanied by highly significant decrease in hepatic GSH content in both EAC bearing mice and doxorubicin treated groups. Combined treatments of doxorubicin plus catechin caused amelioration in liver functions which were manifested by normalized AST and ALT activities, hepatic MDA and GSH contents as compared to the normal control and EAC bearing mice groups. On the other hand, hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities showed remarkable increase in EAC bearing mice compared to normal control mice. While GSH-Px and SOD recorded significant reduction in doxorubicin treated mice. Administration of doxorubicin plus catechin modulated the hepatic GSH-Px and SOD activities, which back to near normal levels. In conclusion, the present study suggested that the catechin treatment may significantly reduce liver oxidative stress induced by doxorubicin treatment in Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma cells- bearing mice. This protection of catechin demonstrated by the induction of the antioxidant enzymes system and by blocking the lipid peroxidation in liver tissues.