Clinical uses of doxorubicin (DOX), a highly active anticancer agent, are 
limited by its severe cardiotoxic side effects associated with increased 
oxidative stress and apoptosis. In this study we investigated whether aged 
garlic has protective effects against doxorubicin-induced free radical 
production and cardiotoxicity in male rats. A single dose of doxorubicin 
(25mg/kg) caused increased both serum cardiac enzymes LDH and CPK activities and 
a significant increase malonyldialdehyde (MDA) in plasma. However, pretreatment 
of rats with aged garlic extract (250 mg/kg) for 27 days before doxorubicin 
therapy, reduced the activity of both enzymes, and significantly decreased of 
MDA production in plasma. Total antioxidant activity was increased after aged 
garlic extract administration. Histopathological examination of heart tissue 
showed that DOX treatment resulted in alteration of cardiac tissue structure in 
the form of peri arterial fibrosis and apoptotic changes in cardiomyocytes. 
Pretreatment with aged garlic extract for 27 days ameliorated the effect of DOX 
administration on cardiac tissue; cardiomyocytes looked more or less similar to 
those of control. However, still vascular dilatation, mild congestion and 
interstitial edemas were observed. Our results suggest that aged garlic extract 
is potentially protective against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.