Abstract
This study investigated the effects of berberine, a natural alkaloid, on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in mice. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with saline 10 ml/kg (n = 10), doxorubicin 2.5 mg/kg (n = 10), 60 mg/kg berberine 1 h before doxorubicin 2.5 mg/kg (n = 10), or 60 mg/kg berberine alone (n = 10) every other day for 14 days. Body weight, general condition and mortality were recorded over the 14-day study period. Electrocardiography was performed before the start of treatment and after 14 days and plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was measured after 14 days. At the end of the study period the heart was excised and examined histologically. An increase in mortality, an initial decrease in body weight, increased LDH activity, prolongation of QRS duration and increased myocardial injury were seen in the doxorubicin-treated group compared with the saline control group. These changes were significantly attenuated by pretreatment with berberine. The study suggests that berberine may have a potential protective role against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in mice.