Abstract:
Arsenic trioxide (ATO) has been long used as a
chemotherapeutic agent because of its significant anticancer
property. Unfortunately, the use of ATO is limited due to its
cardiotoxic effects. The present study evaluates the protective
property of ethanolic extract of Boerhavia diffusa
(BDE) against ATO-induced toxicity on various cell
organelles in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. The effects of different
concentrations of ATO (5, 7.5 and 10 lM) on cell organelles
like mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum (ER),
lysosome and actin, generation of reactive oxygen species,
antioxidant enzyme status and intracellular calcium overload
were evaluated. ATO significantly (P B 0.05) altered
mitochondrial transmembrane potential, intracellular calcium
level, ER, lysosomal activity and F-actin network in
addition to induction of oxidative stress. Co-treatment with
BDE protected the cardiomyocytes from the adverse effects
of ATO, especially at 5 lM concentration, which was evident
from decreased activity of lactate dehydrogenase
(5 lM ATO ? 20 lg/mL BDE: 6.61 ± 1.97 lU/mL,
respective control group: 16.15 ± 1.92 lU/mL), reduced
oxidative stress, calcium influx and organelle damage.
Results obtained from the present study allow for a better
characterization of the effects of ATO on H9c2 myoblasts.
In conclusion, our data suggest that cell organelles are also
the targets of ATO-induced cardiotoxicity in addition to
other reported targets like ion channels, and BDE has the
potential to protect the cardiotoxicity induced by ATO.
