Chamomile Extract Reduces Heart Damage in Women with Solid Tumors

Greg Howard
18th August, 2024

Chamomile Extract Reduces Heart Damage in Women with Solid Tumors

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study by Tanta University investigated the protective effects of chamomile against heart damage caused by Ehrlich solid tumors in female mice
  • Chamomile treatment improved heart function and structure, reducing harmful biochemical markers and tissue damage caused by the tumors
  • The findings suggest chamomile could be a helpful addition to cancer treatments to prevent heart toxicity
Cancer remains one of the most critical health challenges, with breast cancer being the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women globally. The search for effective treatments has led to increased interest in alternative and complementary medicines, many of which are plant-derived. A recent study conducted by Tanta University has investigated the protective effects of chamomile against cardiac damage and toxicity induced by Ehrlich solid tumor (EST) in adult female mice[1]. The study involved 40 female mice, divided into four groups: control, chamomile, EST, and EST+chamomile. The results demonstrated that EST caused significant alterations in cardiac function and structure. Specifically, there were notable increases in serum creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase MB (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), myoglobin (MB), potassium, chloride ions, cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Additionally, there was a significant decrease in sodium ions and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). EST also induced cardiac tissue damage and increased expressions of apoptotic markers P53 and Caspase 3. However, treatment with chamomile improved these biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical alterations, suggesting its potential as an adjuvant for preventing cardiac toxicity. This study builds on previous research that has explored the protective effects of natural compounds against cancer-induced organ damage. For instance, a study on vitamin B17 (VB17) demonstrated its renal protective effects against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in female mice. VB17 treatment resulted in improvements in DNA damage, cytological examination, and various blood parameters. It also moderated kidney histological structure and reduced renal P53 and PCNA protein expression[2]. Similarly, curcumin nanoparticles (Cur NPs) have shown cardiac protective effects against EAC-induced cardiac toxicity. Treatment with Cur NPs improved several cardiac parameters and reduced expressions of injury and inflammatory markers[3]. The current study on chamomile adds to this growing body of evidence by highlighting another natural compound with potential therapeutic benefits. Chamomile's ability to mitigate cardiac damage caused by EST aligns with findings from studies on other natural compounds like VB17 and Cur NPs, which have shown protective effects against organ damage induced by cancer cells. These studies collectively underscore the potential of plant-derived compounds in complementing conventional cancer treatments and reducing their side effects. The methodology of the chamomile study involved administering chamomile to mice with EST and comparing the results to control groups. The researchers measured various biochemical markers, observed histopathological changes, and assessed immunohistochemical expressions to evaluate the extent of cardiac damage and the protective effects of chamomile. The significant improvements in these parameters in the EST+chamomile group indicate that chamomile can counteract the adverse effects of EST on the heart. In conclusion, the study by Tanta University demonstrates that chamomile may serve as a valuable adjuvant in treating and preventing cardiac toxicity induced by Ehrlich solid tumors. This aligns with previous research on other natural compounds, reinforcing the potential of plant-based treatments in oncology. As the interest in alternative and complementary medicines continues to grow, further research is essential to fully understand the mechanisms and efficacy of these natural compounds in cancer therapy.

MedicineHealthAnimal Science

References

Main Study

1) Chamomile Extract Reduces Cardiac Toxicity in Female Mice with Ehrlich Solid Carcinoma.

Published 17th August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12013-024-01476-6

Related Studies

2) Ameliorative effects of vitamin B17 on the kidney against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma induced renal toxicity in mice.

https://doi.org/10.1002/tox.22888

3) Ehrlich ascites carcinoma as model for studying the cardiac protective effects of curcumin nanoparticles against cardiac damage in female mice.

https://doi.org/10.1002/tox.23016


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