Protective effect of mangiferin on doxorubicin-induced liver damage in animal model

Mangiferin is a bioactive compound which has antioxidant effect, but its effect on liver protection during chemotherapy with doxorubicin is understudied. The objective of this study was to assess the protective effect of mangiferin on liver injury induced by doxorubicin. The doxorubicin was injected intraperitoneally at a total dose of 15 mg/kg b.w, and then the animals were orally supplemented with mangiferin (either 50 and 100 mg/kg b.w) for five weeks. The activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione, and liver histopathology were examined to evaluate the liver damage. The results showed that doxorubicin could cause liver cell damage to the rats. In addition, the study revealed that the supplementation of mangiferin (50 and 100 mg/kg b.w) decreased ALT and AST activities, as well as lipid peroxidation. It also increased SOD and GSH levels of liver cells (p <0.05). Our study proved that the improvement in liver function and oxidative stress parameters caused by doxorubicin, indicates that the mangiferin has a protective effect against liver damage induced by doxorubicin.