Characterization of antihypertensive and cardioprotective effects of extra virgin olive oil against doxorubicin induced cardiomyopathy in rats

Context: The medicinal uses of olive fruit oil (Olea europaea) are clearly documented as an anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic (type-2 DM), and to protect against heart diseases. Aims: To evaluate the therapeutic influence of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) as an antihypertensive and cardioprotective against doxorubicin (DXR) induced cardiomyopathy in rats. Methods: Wistar rats were divided into five groups as group 1 (normal control), group 2 (disease control i.e., DXR-treated) and groups 3, 4 and 5 as therapeutic groups (i.e., DXR- treated rats plus 2.5%, 5%, and 10% EVOO in diet respectively). Cardiac injury was induced by the administration of DXR. Cardioprotective, anti-hypertensive and antioxidant potential of EVOO were studied by measuring different blood, serum, and tissue biomarkers, enzymes and hemodynamic parameters in disease control and experimental rat groups. Results: Hemodynamic parameters were significantly reduced in rats administered with 2.5%, 5%, and 10% EVOO as compared to group 2 rats at p<0.05, p<0.01, and p<0.001 respectively. Serum levels of creatinine kinase, troponin T, CK-MB and LDH were found markedly reduced in rats fed with 10% dietary EVOO as compared to disease control rats (p<0.01). Serum levels of antioxidant enzymes like GSH and SOD were found significantly higher in group 5 rats as compared to group 2 at p<0.01, and p<0.001, respectively. Conclusions: Dietary administration of EVOO has the potential to reduce drug-induced cardiomyopathies and sustained use of EVOO in diet could be cardioprotective and useful against high blood pressure.