RESUMO
Nardostachys jatamansi is a medicinally important herb of Indian origin. It has been used for centuries in the Ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicine for the treatment of various ailments. We have evaluated the effect of N. jatamansi (rhizomes) on the biochemical changes, tissue peroxidative damage and abnormal antioxidant levels in doxorubicin (adriamycin)-induced cardiac damage. Preliminary studies on the effect of the graded dose of extract showed that 500 mg kg(-1) orally for seven days was found to be optimum and hence all further study was carried out with this particular dose. Rats administered doxorubicin (15 mg kg(-1), i.p.) showed myocardial damage that was manifested by the elevation of serum marker enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, aspartate aminotransaminase and alanine aminotransaminase). The animals showed significant changes in the antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase) and lipid peroxidation levels. Pretreatment with N. jatamansi extract significantly prevented these alterations and restored the enzyme activity and lipid peroxides to near normal levels. Restoration of cellular normality accredits the N. jatamansi with a cytoprotective role in doxorubicin-induced cardiac damage.