Protective Activity of Beetroot Extract on Doxorubicin-Induced Hepatic and Renal Toxicity in Rat Model

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The administration of doxorubicin can increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and disrupt the balance of antioxidant defenses triggered a cell damage including liver cells and renal cells. Antioxidant from medicinal plants have play role in protecting the cells against ROS. Beetroot tuber contains various phytochemical compound that has an antioxidant property. AIM: The purpose of the study was to determine the protective effect of beetroot ethanol extract on concurrent use of doxorubicin for 15 days by measuring blood levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, Creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and histopathological changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five male white rats as weighing 180–200 g were divided into five treatment groups. Group I was the normal control group, Group II was a negative control group that only injected doxorubicin with a cumulative dose of 15 mg/kg body weight (BW) for 15 days. Group III-V was the test group given beetroot extract (BE) at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg, respectively, for 15 days with doxorubicin. RESULTS: The group treated with BE at a dose of 200 mg/kg BW could improve serum levels of liver enzymes compared with negative controls (p < 0.05). The group treated with BE at a dose of 100 mg/kg BW also showed an improved effect on creatinine and BUN levels of rats compared to negative controls (p < 0.05). All parameters showed that the protective activity of beetroot ethanol extract was dependent on increasing the dose. CONCLUSION: This research proves that the compound contained in beetroot ethanol extract has protective activity in liver and kidney of rats induced by doxorubicin.