Doxorubicin (DOX) is a potent anticancer drug whose 
application is hampered by its cardiotoxicity mediated by oxidative 
stress and inflammation.  
Glycyrrhizic acid (glycyrrhizin) is a natural compound 
that exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant action. 
The present study aimed to examine whether the 
administration of glycyrrhizic acid can produce protective effect 
against acute DOX cardiotoxicity. 
Cardiotoxicity was induced in rats by intraperitoneal 
injection of DOX (15 mg/kg). Results revealed that DOX 
administration 
exhibited 
elevated 
serum level Lactate 
Dehydrogenase (LDH) myocardial TNF-α content, in addition to 
reduced myocardial Catalase (CAT) activity. Pretreatment with 
glycyrrhizic acid (100 mg/kg, orally) for nine days markedly 
ameliorated all these changes and substantially reduced the 
myocardium peroxidative damage.  
The protective effects obtained by glycyrrhizic acid may 
be via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and suggest 
its possible use to prevent or reduce doxorubicin-induced 
cardiotoxicity