ABSTRACT
OJECTIVE：To explore whether EGb761 could protect against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, and whether it affects on doxorubicin antitumor activity. METHOD： Doxorubicin-induced rat heart mitochondria damage in vitro and doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in mice were used. The cardiotoxicity were evaluated via spectrophotography, electromicrography and other methods.RESULTS： Doxorubicin markedly induced malondialdehyde formation, adenosine 5′-triphosphatase activity loss, membrane rigidification, swelling, disintegration and lysis of rat heart mitochondria in vitro, all the above pathological and biochemical damages were reduced significantly by EGb761. Cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin in mice as measured by increases of heart Malondialdehyde level and serum creatine phosphokinase activity was significantly alleviated by EGb761. Moreover. The antitumor activity of doxorubicin, as assayed by prolonged life span of mice bearing with H22 hepatoma, was not reduced by EGb761 treatment. CONCLUSION：Ginkgo biloba extract may protect heart against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity without interfering with its antitumor activity in mice.