The Protective Effect of Propolis Compared to Vitamins C and E Antioxidant Mixture in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Lung Toxicity In Mice

Abstract
Background: Pulmonary toxicity could be induced by oxidative stress secondary to use of the anti-cancerous agent cyclophosphamide (CTX).
Aim of Study: This study was conducted to examine the ameliorating effects of propolis or Vitamins C +Vitamin E antioxidant mixture (Vit. E-C) on lung tissues in mice exposed to cyclophosphamide.
Material and Methods: Forty-eight mice were divided into six groups; the first three groups served as control groups and orally received saline, propolis or antioxidant mixture, respectively; group 4 was intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with a single dose of CTX (200mg/kg); group 5 was injected with a single dose of CTX (200mg/kg) preceded by propolis (90 mg/kg) and group 6 was injected with a single dose of CTX (200mg/kg) preceded by VitE-C antioxidant mixture (50mg/kg bw each) for 14 consecutive days. One day after CTX injection, mice were sacrificed to analyze oxidative stress biomarkers and to examine the histopathological changes.
Results: CTX-treated mice developed elevated malondi-aldehyde and declined antioxidant enzymes. Marked patho-logical changes in the lung architectures were observed. Mice treated with CTX/propolis in group 5 and CTX/antioxidant mixture in group 6 showed improvements in the levels of all oxidative stress markers towards normal. This accompanied by significant restoration of normal lung histology.
Conclusions: Propolis and Vit. E-C antioxidant mixture showed a promising ameliorative effect on CTX-induced toxicity in mice.