Studies on doxorubicin loaded nanoparticle chemotherapy with or without antioxidants for external tumours in dogs

Thirty six dogs presented for treatment of different superficial tumours were divided into six equal groups, and were subjected to different treatment regimens. The dogs of groups I and II were subjected to surgical excision, groups III and IV dogs were given inj. doxorubicin (30 mg/m² i.v. on 0 and 20^th day), whereas, dogs of groups V and VI were given iron oxide nanoparticle-doxorubicin complex (3 mg/kg b.wt) intratumourally at 2-3 different sites on 0, 7^th and 20^th day. Additionally, in groups II, IV and VI, antioxidant supplement (Ocoxin® containing green tea extract, cinnamon extract, minerals, amino acids and multivitamin preparations) was given (1 mL/5 kg b.wt orally) b.i.d for 30 days. Haemato-biochemical evaluation revealed transient systemic toxic effects of intravenous chemotherapy, while histopathological examinations and regression studies indicated favourable results of intratumoural chemotherapy. Overall, the intratumoural iron oxide nanoparticle-doxorubicin complex chemotherapy proved to be superior to intravenous chemotherapy alone. Further, antioxidant supplementation resulted in higher regression of the tumour.