Cyclophosphamide, a cytotoxic alkylating agent, is an extensively used antineoplastic agent. Cardiotoxicity
is considered as one of the limiting side effects of its use, which is attributed to oxidative
stress. Zingiber officinale is powerful antioxidants against free radicals and oxidative attacks. The aim
of this study is to investigate the possible protective effects of Z. officinale against cyclophosphamide
induced cardio-toxicity in adult male albino rats. We used 30 adult male albino rats, divided into five
groups; Group Ia (-ve control), Group Ib (+ve control), Group II (Z. officinale treated group; 200
mg/kg/day orally), Group III (cyclophosphamide treated group; single dose of 150 mg/kg I.P.), and
Group IV (cyclophosphamide and Z. officinale treated group; rats received Z. officinale as before
followed by single dose of cyclophosphamide (150 mg/kg)). At the end of experiment, we studied
biochemical parameters: oxidative markers (MDA, GSH and Catalase), and Troponin i. The heart tissue
was examined by light and electron microscope to evaluate histo-pathological changes and immunehistochemical
technique for localization of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the cytoplasm of
cardiomyocytes. The result showed increase in troponin I and disturbance of oxidative markers in
cyclophosphamide treated group compared to control groups. Whereas these results had significantly
improved in cyclophosphamide and Z. officinale treated group. Light and electron microscopic
examination revealed disruption in the heart tissue histo-architecture in cyclophosphamide group with
strong positive cytoplasmic iNOS immunoreaction in numerous cardiomyocytes by histochemical
examination unlike that in cyclophosphamide and Z. officinale treated group which returned near
normal. In conclusion, cyclophosphamide has a cardiotoxic effect which can be prevented by Z.
officinale supplementation. Further studies about cyclophosphamide toxic effect on the heart and about
Z. officinale role in protection are recommended.