International Journal of Molecular and Cellular Medicine (IJMCM)

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a well-known widely-used chemotherapeutic agent in cancer patients. Clinical findings have revealed its association with cardiotoxicity in patients subjected to prolonged administration. Chronic cardiotoxicity may appear after long treatment, with a cumulative dosage exceeding 500–550 mg/m² being a critical risk factor. Poppy seed oil is rich in antioxidants and polyunsaturated fatty acids demonstrated efficacy in attenuating oxidative stress and modulating inflammatory responses. In this study, we have investigated the cardioprotective potential of poppy seed oil in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity model of Wistar rats. DOX was administered (2.5 mg/kg) on alternate days for 14 days to induce cardiotoxicity in groups 2, 3 and 4 rats. Poppy seed oil in dose of 500 and 1000 mg/kg was administered orally for 14 days to groups 3 and 4 rats. Cardiac injury biochemical markers (CK-MB, LDH and Troponin-I), oxidative stress (MDA, SOD, CAT, GSH, GR and GPx), and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) were assessed. Additionally, histopathological assessment of cardiac tissue was performed to exhibit structural alterations. The administration of poppy seed oil significantly improved cardiac biochemical markers, diminished oxidative stress, and restored antioxidant enzyme levels in DOX-treated rats. It also mitigated myocardial damage, as evidenced by decreased lipid peroxidation and reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Histopathological analysis exhibited significant reduction in myocardial degeneration and inflammatory cell infiltration in the poppy seed oil-treated groups. These findings suggest that poppy seed oil may be used as adjunct therapy to reduce chemotherapy-induced cardiac damage, thus warranting further clinical investigation.