PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF LACTUCA SERRIOLA ON DOXORUBICIN-INDUCED TOXICITY IN H9C2 CELLS.

The use of doxorubicin (DOX) is limited by its dose-dependency because of its cardiotoxicity. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the pathological process. The aim of this study is to evaluate the protective effect of Lactuca seniola against DOX-induced apoptosis and death in H9C2 cells. The cells were incubated with different concentrations of extract for 4 h which continued in the presence or absence of 5 µM doxorubicin for 24 h. Cell viability, apoptotic induction and the level of apoptotic proteins were determined by using MTT, PI and immunoblotting assays, respectively. The level of lipid peroxidation was measured by fluorimetric method. DOX significantly decreased cell viability which was accompanied by an increase in ROS production and lipid peroxidation. Pretreatment with Lactuca seniola increased the viability of cardiomyocytes and could decrease lipid peroxidation. Also, Lactuca seriola inhibited the reduction of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein and elevation of apoptotic Bax and caspase-3 proteins. In conclusion, Lactuca seniola exerts protective effect against oxidative stress-induced cardiomyocytes damage. Therefore, it has the potential to be used as cardioprotective agent by the patients with cardiovascular diseases.