The use of Maytenus ilicifolia to prevent cisplatin-induced ototoxicity

Maytenus ilicifolia is a native plant from South America, with several medicinal properties including antioxidant effects. AIM: using an original cisplatin induced ototoxicity model, we evaluated a possible otoprotection caused by Maytenus ilicifolia extract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: clinical and experimental study design with female albino guinea pigs divided in groups as follows: 9 animals receiving cisplatin only (three doses of 7.5mg/kg/day), 4 animals receiving the plant extract only, 10 animals receiving the cisplatin protocol and 1g/kg/day of extract for 8 days, 5 animals with cisplatin and 3g/kg/day of extract for 8 days, and 5 animals receiving extract for 3 weeks and cisplatin in the last week. The tests were distortion product otoacoustic emissions, brainstem auditory response, before and after medication and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: the animals receiving cisplatin plus plant extract, had alterations in all the tests, showing lesions on the basal cochlear region under electron microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Despite of the plant extract’s antioxidant effect, it was not sufficient to protect the cochlea against cisplatin ototoxicity.