Distribution of nitrate/nitrite and toxic metals in the soil-potato system and its health risk assessment in Iran.

Potato is one of the essential food products whose health quality is greatly influenced by soil contamination and properties. In the current study, we have investigated the physicochemical characteristics of agricultural areas and the accumulation of nitrite/nitrate and metals in potato products in Hamedan, Iran. After determining the physicochemical characteristics of soil samples from four agricultural regions of Hamedan, 48 potato samples were collected from these regions. The heavy metals and nitrate/nitrite content were determined by ICP-OES and calorimetric methods, respectively. A negative correlation was observed between soil pH changes with nitrite/nitrate content and the accumulation of some heavy elements in potatoes. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between soil phosphorus content and lead accumulation in potato. In present study, the amounts of lead, nitrate, and nitrite in 83.3%, 56%, and 12% of the collected samples were higher than the permissible limit reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), respectively. The EDI range for nitrate and nitrite was determined to be 130-260 and 1.4-2.7 µg/kg/day, respectively, which is much lower than the RfD set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for nitrite and nitrate. Among metal pollutants, the toxic risk caused by lead in potato consumers was higher than the threshold limit. In conclusion, our findings showed that the physicochemical characteristics of the soil could effectively increase the availability of metal pollutants and nitrite/nitrate to the potato product and significantly reduce its health quality. Therefore, monitoring these pollutants in the soil-potato system, preventing the entry of industrial wastewater, and managing the use of agricultural fertilizers can effectively improve the health of this product for consumers.

Crocin-loaded Niosomal Nanoparticles Reversing Cytotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in HEK293 Cell Line Exposed to Paraquat: An In vitro Study.

BACKGROUND: Paraquat (PQ) is an effective herbicide which is widely used around the world to remove weeds in agriculture. As a water-soluble carotenoid, crocin is a pharmacologically active constituent of C. sativus L. (saffron). OBJECTIVES: In the present study, we investigated the effects of crocin-loaded niosomes (Cro-NIO) compared to free crocin on PQ-induced toxicity in the eukaryotic human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cell line. METHODS: The Cro-NIO was synthesized and characterized. Cell viability was determined using the MTT assay in PQ-exposed HEK293 cell lines. The activities of biochemical markers were quantitatively determined to reveal the potential mechanism of PQ-induced oxidative stress in HEK293 cell line. RESULTS: The particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI), DL, and EE of Cro-NIO were 145.4 ± 19.5 nm, -22.3 ± 3.11 mV, 0.3 ± 0.03, 1.74 ± 0.01%, and 55.3 ± 7.1%, respectively. PQtreated HEK293 cell lines decreased cell viability. The results of oxidative status showed that PQ significantly could increase ROS accumulation, accompanied by a decreasing antioxidant defense system. However, treatment with Cro-NIO, compared to crocin, not only did dose-dependently improve the cell viability but also significantly attenuated the ROS accumulation and increased antioxidant markers. CONCLUSION: According to these results, Cro-NIO, compared to crocin, was superior to ameliorating PQ-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative damage in HEK293 cells.

Therapeutic potentials of N-acetylcysteine immobilized polyrhodanine nanoparticles toward acetaminophen-induced acute hepatotoxicity in rat.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a recommended drug for treating acetaminophen (APAP) intoxication. Due to NAC's low bioavailability, this study aimed to use polyrhodanine (PR) nanoparticles (NPs) as a drug carrier to improve the effectiveness of NAC. After preparation and characterization of NAC loaded on PR, 30 rats were randomly divided into five groups of six. The first group (control) received normal saline. Groups 2-5 were treated with normal saline, PR, NAC, and NAC loaded on PR, respectively. The treatments were started 4 h after oral administration of APAP (2000 mg kg-1 ). After 48 h, the animals were anesthetized, and liver function indices and oxidative stress were measured in tissue and serum samples. The APAP administration can increase aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase enzymes in serum, decreasing the total antioxidant capacity and thiol groups and increasing lipid peroxidation in liver tissue. Administration of PR-NAC could effectively improve the level of serum-hepatic enzymes, total antioxidant capacity and thiol groups, lipid peroxidation, and pathological changes in liver tissue in animals poisoned with APAP. PR-NAC has a significant therapeutic effect on preventing acute hepatotoxicity caused by APAP, and its effectiveness can be associated with an improvement in the oxidant/antioxidant balance of liver tissue.

Antibacterial and Anti-Glucosyltransferase Activity of Verbascum speciosum Against Cariogenic Streptococci.

Objectives: Dental caries is a prevalent chronic human infection worldwide and several plants have shown anticariogenic properties through antibacterial activity against oral pathogens. The present study aimed to assess anticariogenic activity of Verbascum speciosum, in search of novel agents for the prevention and treatment of dental caries. Methods: Hydro-alcoholic extracts from flowers and total aerial parts of the plant were prepared by maceration. Antibacterial activity of the extracts against Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 35668) and Streptococcus sobrinus (ATCC 27607) was investigated by agar diffusion and microdilution techniques. Inhibitory concentration-fifty values of the flowers' extract against Streptococcus mutans glucosyltransferase enzymes were determined. The total flavonoid content of the extracts was determined using an aluminum chloride reaction. Results: Verbascum speciosum flowers' extract showed significantly higher flavonoid content and antibacterial activity; with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 100 and 200 µg/mL for Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus, respectively. The extract inhibited the synthesis of glucan by cell-associated and extracellular glucosyltransferase enzymes in a dose-dependent manner with higher activity against the extracellular enzyme. Conclusion: This study indicated effective anticariogenic activity of Verbascum speciosum flowers extract. This extract can be considered as an alternative to current anticaries therapies or an additive to dental care products.

Targeting autophagy with tamoxifen in breast cancer: From molecular mechanisms to targeted therapy.

BACKGROUND: Tamoxifen (TAM) is often recommended as a first-line treatment for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer (BC). However, TAM resistance continues to be a medical challenge for BC with hormone receptor positivity. The function of macro-autophagy and autophagy has recently been identified to be altered in BC, which suggests a potential mechanism for TAM resistance. Autophagy is a cellular stress-induced response to preserve cellular homeostasis. Also, therapy-induced autophagy, which is typically cytoprotective and activated in tumor cells, could sometimes be non-protective, cytostatic, or cytotoxic depending on how it is regulated. OBJECTIVE: This review explored the literature on the connections between hormonal therapies and autophagy. We investigated how autophagy could develop drug resistance in BC cells. METHODS: Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar were used to search articles for this study. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that protein kinases such as pAMPK, BAX, and p-p70S6K could be a sign of autophagy in developing TAM resistance. According to the study's findings, autophagy plays an important role in BC patients' TAM resistance. CONCLUSION: Therefore, by overcoming endocrine resistance in estrogen receptor-positive breast tumors, autophagy inhibition may improve the therapeutic efficacy of TAM.

The Cytotoxic Effect of Thymoquinone Enhance on HepG2 Cell Line due to Induction of Fenton Reaction by Hydrogen Peroxide: An In Vitro and In Silico Study.

OBJECTIVE: Thymoquinone (TQ) is a component derived from the volatile oil of Nigella sativa. Fenton reaction induction is a well-known strategy to prevent the growth of cancer cells which can stimulate by hydrogen peroxide. This study was designed to investigate the TQ effects on hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity. METHODS: In this study, HepG2 cell survival, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cell membrane integrity, and changes of superoxide dismutase (SOD)/ catalase (CAT) activity were evaluated following incubation of HepG2 cells with 31 µM hydrogen peroxide and different concentrations of TQ (18.5, 37 and 75 µM). In addition, molecular docking studies on the interference of TQ with CAT/SOD enzymes were investigated. RESULTS: Our findings showed that TQ low concentration can increase the survival of HepG2 cells when exposed to hydrogen peroxide, and on the contrary, its high concentration can potentiate cytotoxicity induced by hydrogen peroxide. The TQ alongside hydrogen peroxide increased the production of ROS, which was related to increase CAT and SOD activity in the HepG2 cells. Molecular docking findings showed that TQ effects on the formation of free radicals were not related to its chemical interference with the structure of the SOD/CAT molecules. CONCLUSION: Fenton reaction induction may increase the effectiveness of TQ in preventing HepG2 cells proliferation.

Chlorogenic acid protective effects on paraquat-induced pulmonary oxidative damage and fibrosis in rats.

Paraquat (PQ) is a widely used herbicide that can cause severe oxidative and fibrotic injuries in lung tissue. Due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of chlorogenic acid (CGA), the present study investigated its effects on PQ-induced pulmonary toxicity. To this end, 30 male rats were randomly categorized into five groups of six. Initially, the first and third groups were treated intraperitoneally (IP) with normal saline and CGA (80 mg/kg) for 28 consecutive days, respectively. The second, fourth, and fifth groups were treated with normal saline and 20 and 80 mg/kg of CGA for 28 consecutive days, respectively, and received a single dose of PQ (IP, 20 mg/kg) on Day 7. Then, the animals were anesthetized with ketamine and xylazine, and lung tissue samples were collected for biochemical and histological examinations. The results showed that PQ significantly increased hydroxyproline (HP) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) and decreased the lung tissue antioxidant capacity. In addition, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity increased significantly, while glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity declined substantially. The administration of therapeutic doses of CGA could prevent the oxidative, fibrotic, and inflammatory effects of PQ-induced lung toxicity, and these changes were consistent with histological observations. In conclusion, CGA may improve the antioxidant defense of lung tissue and prevent the spread of inflammation and the development of PQ-induced fibrotic injuries by enhancing antioxidant enzymes and preventing inflammatory cell infiltration.

Protective potential of thymoquinone against cadmium, arsenic, and lead toxicity: A short review with emphasis on oxidative pathways.

Heavy metals are among the most important environmental pollutions used in various industries. Their extensive use has increased human susceptibility to different chronic diseases. Toxic metal exposure, especially cadmium, arsenic, and lead, causes oxidative damages, mitochondrial dysfunction, and genetic and epigenetic modifications. Meanwhile, thymoquinone (TQ) is an effective component of Nigella sativa oil that plays an important role in preventing the destructive effects of heavy metals. The present review discusses how TQ can protect various tissues against oxidative damage of heavy metals. This review is based on the research reported about the protective effects of TQ in the toxicity of heavy metals, approximately the last 10 years (2010-2021). Scientific databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed, were searched using the following keywords either alone or in combination: cadmium, arsenic, lead, TQ, and oxidative stress. TQ, as a potent antioxidant, can distribute to cellular compartments and prevent oxidative damage of toxic metals. However, depending on the type of toxic metal and the carrier system used to release TQ in biological systems, its therapeutic dosage range may be varied.

Hepatic Response to the Interaction Between Thymoquinone and Iron-Dextran: an In Vitro and In Vivo Study.

Iron is one of the most important essential elements for cell function. However, iron overload can exert destructive effects on various tissues, especially the liver. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of thymoquinone (TQ) on hepatotoxicity induced by iron-overload in in vitro and mouse model. After in vitro studies, thirty mice were divided into five groups, six each. Group 1 received normal saline. Group 2 received five doses of iron dextran (i.p; 100 mg/kg, one dose every 2 days). Group 3 received TQ (orally, 2 mg/kg/day). Groups 4 and 5 were administrated iron dextran saline (i.p; 100 mg/kg, one dose every 2 days) following treatment with 0.5 and 2 mg/kg/day of TQ, respectively. Based on the findings of the DPPH experiment, although TQ has significant anti-radical potential, at a safe dose of 15 × 10+3 nM, it reduced the IC50 of iron dextran on HepG2 cells by about 25%, in in vitro. Following administration of low-dose TQ (0.5 mg/kg), a significant improvement was observed in serum hepatic enzymes activity and hepatic lipid peroxidation compared to iron dextran. However, administration of TQ-high dose (2 mg/kg) led to decrease antioxidant defense alongside increased serum hepatic enzymes and pathological damages in iron dextran-treated animals. Due to the different efficacy of TQ in treatment groups, it seems that the TQ therapeutic index is low and does not have significant safety in the iron overload status.

Assessing the Risk of Nephrotoxicity Associated with Aminoglycosides in Brucellosis Patients: A Cross-sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate renal function in patients with brucellosis before and at the end of gentamicin therapy. To ensure the safety of therapeutic doses of gentamicin, renal functions in brucellosis patients were monitored regarding drug serum levels and check for early detection biomarkers of nephrotoxicity. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 41 patients (25 men and 16 women, aged over 15 years) were included, with confirmed acute brucellosis that referred to Brucellosis Research Center in Hamadan, west of Iran between March 2018 to February 2019. At baseline before treatment (first step) and 7 days after gentamicin administration (second step), serum uric acid, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum and urine creatinine, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), quantitative C-reactive protein (CRP) and urinary ß2-microglobulin (ß2M) were measured. Gentamycin serum level due to the highest risk of nephrotoxicity with this drug in aminoglycoside class was also checked by HPLC method. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. RESULTS: The mean urinary ß 2M level, serum and urinary creatinine, uric acid, BUN, and quantitative CRP levels in the first step and second step, there were no statistical differences between the two steps. There was a correlation between urinary creatinine and ESR. In addition, a positive correlation was found between urinary ß2M and serum gentamicin level. ESR levels have been significantly reduced in the patients after the treatment compared to before it. CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm that gentamicin is safe at the dose of 5 mg/kg/day for one week intravenously in brucellosis patients.

Rapid determination of ampyra in urine samples using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction coupled with ion mobility spectrometry.

Ampyra (AMP, 4-Aminopyridine) is a potassium channel blocker that attracts growing research interest due to its adverse effects at high doses. The fast analysis of AMP is challenging because it typically requires complex analytical techniques. In this research, we developed and validated a novel method to assess the fast and quantitative analysis of AMP from real samples. This method combines the strength of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) for rapid detection and the dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction as a fast and effective preconcentration method for the preconcentration/extraction of AMP. In this method, Ag nanoparticles were used as modifier agents. Moreover, the proposed mechanism for interaction of AMP with AgNPs was investigated based on the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) analysis. Also, the sensitivity of the proposed method was improved through the application of a delay on the carrier gas flow after sample injection. Under the optimum conditions, the developed method detected AMP in the linear range of 0.4-16 µmol L-1 with a detection limit of 0.12 µmol L-1. Finally, the developed method was successfully employed to quantify AMP in urine samples. Method validation was performed by comparing our results with those obtained by HPLC-UV/Vis, confirming the applicability of the proposed method for the AMP analysis in real samples. The proposed method will open up a new door toward developing simple, fast, and effective analytical methods.

The Antimicrobial and Healing Effect of Scrophularia striata Boiss Hydroalcoholic Extract on First- and Second-Grade Pressure Wounds in Patients with Brain and Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Materials and Methods: This double-blind clinical trial study was performed on grade 1 and 2 pressure wounds in 120 patients with cerebral-spinal cord lesions. The patients were randomly divided into four groups (n = 30). Topical treatments in all groups were performed twice a day. These groups included experiment 1 (SHE + phenytoin), experiment 2 (SHE + SHE), control (phenytoin + phenytoin), and placebo (eucerin + phenytoin). After evaluating the effect of SHE on wound healing, its antibacterial activity was determined by the standard agar well diffusion method. Results: Patients in each group in this study did not significantly differ in demographic and clinical variables. Complete wound healing by the 10th day of the intervention occurred in 63%, 100%, and 27% of patients in experimental 1, experimental 2, and control groups, respectively. In contrast, the placebo group had no complete wound healing until the 10th day. Topical application of SHE, twice a day in the experimental 2 groups, had a higher potency to heal wounds and reduce the duration of complete wound healing in patients compared with other groups. Conclusion: SHE, as a novel treatment option, has good potential to accelerate the healing of first- and second-degree pressure wounds in patients with brain-spinal cord injuries.

Phlebotomy-induced iron deficiency attenuates the pulmonary toxicity of paraquat in mice.

Phlebotomy is an effective method in the prevention and treatment of some poisonings, among which iron deficiency is a well-known consequence. Given the role of iron in paraquat (PQ) toxicity, the present study investigated the effectiveness of phlebotomy in PQ pulmonary toxicity. After conducting preliminary studies, the duration time of phlebotomy was set to be seven days. Then, the mice were divided into nine separate groups. Groups 1-3 received a single dose of normal saline, and 5 and 10 mg/kg of PQ, respectively, and phlebotomy was not performed on them (NPG status). The animals in groups 4-6 first underwent phlebotomy for seven days and then received a single dose of normal saline, and 5 and 10 mg/kg of PQ (PBPT status). Groups 7-9 first received a single dose of normal saline, and 5 and 10 mg/kg of PQ and then underwent phlebotomy for seven days (PAPT status). Seven days after acute exposure to PQ, the animals were anesthetized and biochemical biomarkers as well as lung tissue changes were evaluated. The findings showed that phlebotomy before and after PQ toxicity significantly decreased serum iron compared to NPG condition. In the PBPT status, phlebotomy could prevent PQ toxicity by increasing the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and decreasing the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO), and the levels of hydroxyproline and lipid peroxidation in the lung tissue. In the PAPT status, a significant improvement was observed in SOD and MPO activities compared to the NPG status. Confirming the biochemical findings, the histological results indicated higher effectiveness of phlebotomy in preventing PQ toxicity (PBPT) compared to its therapeutic effects (PAPT). Considering the role of iron in PQ toxicity, it appears that the reduction of serum iron levels during phlebotomy can be effective in preventing lung injuries caused by PQ and improving the performance of the pulmonary antioxidant system.

Thermally oxidized sunflower oil diet alters leptin/ghrelin balance and lipid profile in rats: Possible role of reactive aldehydes in dyslipidemia.

Sunflower oil is a common edible oil in the world, which is highly prone to oxidative degradation during the frying process. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of products obtained from the thermal oxidation process of sunflower oil on metabolic indices, and the secretion status of leptin and ghrelin in rats. In vivo studies were designed after determining the rate of formation of active aldehydes and peroxide value in sunflower oil following 300°C in a period of 30-240 min. To this end, 36 rats in 6 separate groups were fed with 2 ml of normal saline, fresh sunflower oil, and heated oils at 30, 60, 120, and 240 min for 45 days. Finally, lipid profile changes and leptin/ghrelin secretion were examined, along with histological changes in the liver tissue. The results indicated a significant increase in serum LDL, VLDL and triglycerides, and a decrease in HDL, in the groups treated with heated oils. These changes were associated with a higher accumulation of triglycerides, active aldehydes, and histological changes in the hepatic tissue. Although the serum ghrelin level in the groups receiving heated oil did not change significantly compared to the fresh oil, the serum leptin level increased significantly in the groups receiving heated oil. According to our findings, increasing the time of sunflower oil heating enhanced the formation of active aldehydes, so that daily consumption of such oxidized oils might be associated with the occurrence of dyslipidemia, fatty liver and the development of leptin resistance. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Sunflower oil is highly prone to oxidative degradation during the frying process. Increasing time of sunflower oil heating enhanced the formation of active aldehydes. Daily consumption of oxidized oils might be associated with the occurrence of dyslipidemia, fatty liver and the development of leptin resistance.

Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 in Indoor Air of Sina and Shahid Beheshti Hospitals and Patients' Houses.

Side by side air sampling was conducted using a PTFE filter membrane as dry sampler and an impinger containing a suitable culture medium as a wet sampler. Most of the samples were collected from two hospitals and few air samples were collected from private houses of non-hospitalized confirmed COVID-19 patients. The collected air samples were analyzed using RT-PCR. The results indicated that all air samples collected from the hospitals were PCR negative for SARS-CoV-2. While two of four air samples collected from the house of non-hospitalized patients were PCR positive. In this study, most of the hospitalized patients had oxygen mask and face mask, and hence this may be a reason for our negative results regarding the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in indoor air of the hospitals, while non-hospitalized patients did not wear oxygen and protective face masks in their houses. Moreover, a very high concentration of particles in the size range of droplet nuclei (< 5 µm) was identified compared to particles in the size range of respiratory droplets (> 5-10 µm) in the areas where patients were hospitalized. It can be concluded that using face mask by patients can prevent the release of viruses into the indoor air, even in hospitals with a high density of patients.

Development of effervescence-assisted switchable polarity solvent homogeneous liquid-phase microextraction for the determination of permethrin and deltamethrin in water samples prior to gas chromatography-flame ionization detection.

An effervescent tablet-assisted switchable polarity solvent-based homogeneous liquid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography with flame ionization detection has been conducted for the separation, preconcentration, and detection of permethrin and deltamethrin in the river water specimens. Triethylamine (TEA) was utilized as the switchable polarity solvent in this method. The switching process was carried out by the dissolution of an effervescent tablet including an effervescency agent (sodium carbonate) and a proton donor agent (citric acid). Changing the pH of the specimen solution enhanced the conversion of TEA into protonated triethylamine carbonate through the tablet that generated carbon dioxide bubbles in situ. Finally, the addition of sodium hydroxide changed the ionization state of TEA and separated the two phases. Influential factors in the extraction were investigated. According to optimal situations, the limit of detection and the limit of quantification were 0.16 and 0.5 µg L-1 for permethrin and 0.03 and 0.1 µg L-1 for deltamethrin, respectively. The preconcentration factor was 194 in river water samples and inter- and intra-day precision (relative standard deviation %; n = 5) was <5%. The extraction recovery was obtained in the range of 93.0%-97% for permethrin and deltamethrin in water samples.

The modulatory potential of herbal antioxidants against oxidative stress and heavy metal pollution: plants against environmental oxidative stress.

Free radicals, principally reactive oxygen species (ROS), contribute to oxidative stress in human beings. Free radicals have different mechanisms of action and affect lipids, proteins, and DNA. Heavy metals including cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and arsenic are environmental pollutants that may induce oxidative stress and produce ROS, leading to harmful effects on different body systems such as the liver and brain. On the other side, antioxidants can have protective effects against oxidative stress and decrease their toxicity. Herbal antioxidants have potential antioxidative effects. These antioxidants positively affect neurodegenerative diseases, atherosclerotic diseases, lung fibrosis, kidney injuries, and liver toxicities induced by oxidative agents, including heavy metals. In this manuscript, we explained the mechanisms of oxidative stress, and also discussed heavy metals which contribute to human oxidative stress. We further discussed different herbal antioxidants, their mechanisms of action, and their clinical use for various diseases.

Adulteration of the Herbal Weight Loss Products by the Illegal Addition of Synthetic Antiobesity Medications: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Some anorexic agents are used to fraudulent augmentation herbal weight loss formulations. This study was designed to evaluate the potential existence of illicit substances in 63 herbal weight loss formulations collected from local apothecaries in Hamadan, Iran. METHODS: The thin-layer chromatography method was applied for the primary screening of potential illicit substances in the samples. The positive samples were analyzed using an isocratic high-performance liquid chromatography method. RESULTS: The results showed that 26.98% of the samples contained 17.76 ± 6.02 mg/cap of sibutramine. Daily therapeutic dose intake of sibutramine is in the range of 5 to 15 mg daily. CONCLUSION: Since apothecaries have advised consumers to take at least two capsules a day, it seems that the blood concentration of sibutramine will likely rise beyond the therapeutic concentration and become toxic. Therefore, the usage of such products could pose serious risks to consumers' health.

Pentoxifylline Attenuates Arsenic Trioxide-Induced Cardiac Oxidative Damage in Mice.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the therapeutic potential effect of pentoxifylline (PTX) against arsenic trioxide (ATO)-induced cardiac oxidative damage in mice. Thirty-six male albino mice were divided into six groups and treated intraperitoneally with normal saline (group 1), ATO (5 mg/kg; group 2), PTX (100 mg/kg; group 3), and different doses of PTX (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg; groups 4, 5, and 6, respectively) with ATO. After four weeks, the blood sample was collected for biochemical experiments. In addition, cardiac tissue was removed for assessment of oxidative stress markers and histopathological changes (such as hemorrhage, necrosis, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and myocardial degeneration). The findings showed that ATO caused a significant raise in serum biochemical markers such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and troponin-I (cTnI), glucose, total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) levels. In addition to histopathological changes in cardiac tissue, ATO led to the significant increase in cardiac lipid peroxidation (LPO) and nitric oxide (NO); remarkable decrease in the activity of cardiac antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx); and the depletion of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total thiol groups (TTGs). PTX was able to reduce the increased levels of serum cardiac markers (LDH, CPK, cTnI, TC, and TG), cardiac LPO, and improve antioxidant markers (TAC, TTGs, CAT, SOD, and GPx) alongside histopathologic changes. However, no significant changes were observed in elevated serum glucose and cardiac NO levels. In conclusion, the current study showed the potential therapeutic effect of PTX in the prevention of ATO-induced cardiotoxicity via reversing the oxidative stress.