Effect of Silymarin Against CAF Protocol Cardiotoxicity

Abstract

ABSTRACT:BACKGROUND: Breast cancer became the commonest type of cancers among Iraqi women since the last two decades. The main underlying cause is thought to be DNA damage, which is oxidative in nature. CAF protocol (Cyclophosphamide + Adriamycin + 5-FU) associated with toxic effects of heart and other organs, mainly through production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species. Silymarin, the dried extract of a ripe seeds of the plant silybium marianum, was found to be a powerful antioxidant agent against toxin -induced tissue damage. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the possible time and dose-dependent protective effect of the orally administered silymarin as antioxidant agent against oxidative stress-related cardiotoxicity induced by CAF protocol in breast cancer women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 74 breast cancer women randomly distributed and allocated into three groups:Group (A): 24 patients received CAF protocol by I.V infusion once every 21 days and for 63 days.Group (B): 25 patients received 210mg/day of silymarin along with the same CAF protocol of group (A).Group (C): 25 patients received 420mg/day of silymarin along with the same CAF protocol of group (A).Cardiac function enzymes (CK and LDH) were measured at baseline, after 21, 42, and 63 days of treatment.RESULTS: Levels of CK and LDH, which were significantly elevated by CAF protocol, showed significant reduction when silymarin used with CAF, in time and dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION:The use of antioxidant agent (silymarin) in this study can ameliorate, in time and dose-dependant manner, the harmful cardiac effects of the oxidative stress that induced by breast cancer and its antineoplastic CAF protocol. .