Cardioprotective Effect of Pistacia vera L. (Green Pistachio) Hull Extract in Wistar Albino Rats with Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiac Damage

BACKGROUND: Pistacia vera L. (green pistachio) has been shown to increase antioxidant capacity and protect against cardiovascular diseases and cancer. This study investigated the protective effect of the Pistacia vera L. hull in rats with experimental cardiac damage induced by doxorubicin. METHODS: Sixty adult Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 12). Sham, doxorubicin, doxorubicin + Pistacia vera L. extract 50 mg/kg, doxorubicin + Pistacia vera L. extract 100 mg/kg, and Pistacia vera L. extract 100 mg/kg. Biochemistry parameters, total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine, and caspase 3/7 values were measured in serum samples. Excised heart tissues were examined histopathologically. RESULTS: The groups were statistically significantly different in 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine, caspase 3/7, total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, and basal biochemical parameter values (P < .05, P < .001). In group II, 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine, caspase 3/7, and total oxidant status values increased while the total antioxidant status value decreased (P < .001). In the treatment groups (group III and group IV), 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine and caspase 3/7 values decreased compared to group II (P < .001). While total oxidant status and oxidative stress index values decreased in the treatment groups, total antioxidant status values increased (P < .001). The histopathological examination of the heart revealed fewer areas of focal necrosis in the treatment groups compared to group II. CONCLUSION: In this study, the cardioprotective effect of Pistacia vera L. hull extract was investigated in vivo. It was shown that Pistacia vera L. hull extract reduced apoptosis and deoxyribonucleic acid damage in the face of cardiac damage and had antioxidant activity. Future studies will increase our knowledge on this subject.