Tamoxifen (TAM) is an anti-estrogen used in the prevention and treatment of hormone dependent
breast cancer. TAM therapy may cause hepatic injury, which may indicate the stoppage of the drug.
Therefore the present study was done to clarify the possible protective role of cardamonin (CAR)
against TAM induced hepatotoxicity. In this work, the protective effects of CAR against TAM
hepatotoxicity were studied in female rats. Sex groups of rats were used each formed of eight rats
Group I (control group): received normal 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose vehicle orally for 7 weeks.
Group II (CAR group): received CAR (30 mg/kg), orally suspended in 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose
vehicle for 7 weeks .Group III (TAM 0.6 mg group): received tamoxifen in a dose of (0.6 mg /Kg/
day) for 6 weeks. Group IV: (TAM 0.6 mg & CAR group): TAM in a dose of (0.6mg /Kg/ day) orally
for 6 weeks and CAR (30 mg/kg) orally, for 7 weeks. Group IV (TAM 45mg group): received TAM
in a dose of (45 mg /Kg/ day) i.p., for 7 successive days. Groups VI (TAM 45mg& CAR group): TAM
in a dose of (45 mg /Kg/ day) i.p., for 7 successive days and CAR (30 mg/kg) orally, for 2 weeks.
TAM intoxication caused elevation of serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate
aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase, malondyde(MDA) and tumor necrosis factor – α
(TNF α) as well as depletion of reduced glutathione(GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)with
degeneration and necrosis of the hepatocytes there was also decrease in serum concentrations of total
cholesterol, HDL cholesterol , LDL cholesterol and triglyceride concentration compared to control
group. Histopathological study revealed that CAR treatment resulted in marked improvement in
histopathological and immunohistochemical pictures. Furthermore CAR treatment improves all
biochemical markers compared TAM intoxicated group. In Conclusion, CAR supplementation
appeared to be beneficial to a great extent in treating TAM hepatotoxicity.