Quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) is a
pomaceous
fruit that is typically processed into jams, jellies, and marmalade.
The byproduct, i.e., the quince peel emanated from the processing
industry, can be upcycled, ensuring zero waste policy and resulting
in a sustainable food system. In our study, the quince peel was explored
for in vitro phytochemical analysis and in
vivo cardioprotective potential. Two diverse extractions
(ultrasonication and reflux) and four different solvents (aqueous,
ethanolic, hydroethanolic, and methanolic) were used for the extraction
of quince peel and assessed for the phytochemical and antioxidant
study. Among all the evaluated extracts, hydroethanolic quince extract
extracted through the reflux extraction method showed the maximum
phenolic (27.23 ± 0.85 mg GAE/g DW) and flavonoid (16.5 ±
1.02 mg RE/g DW) content. The maximum antioxidant potential (DPPH)
with an IC50 value of 204.8 ± 2.24 μg/mL was
noted for the hydroethanolic extract. This best active extract was
then subjected to HPTLC, UPLC–MS, mineral, and FTIR analysis
to study the metabolic profiling and inorganic composition and to
confirm the presence of bioactives. Additionally, the in vivo study was done in rats using doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity.
The rats were given extracts orally at 160 and 320 mg/kg bw for 30
days. ECG analysis was done at the termination of the experiment.
Besides this, the lipid profile, blood serum parameters (CK-MB, LDH,
AST), and tissue parameters (MDA, SOD, GSH, CAT) were analyzed. The
DOX-treated group unveiled a substantial variance (p < 0.001) in all the parameters in contrast to the normal control
group and extract control groups. However, the pretreated groups substantially
alleviated the DOX-induced changes in all the parameters. Additionally,
recuperation in histopathological alterations of the cardiac tissue
in contrast to the DOX-induced toxicity was also seen in the pretreated
groups. Thus, it could be said that the cardioprotective activity
of the quince peel extract attributed to the presence of phytoconstituents
counteracted the DOX-induced cardiotoxicity and assisted in the restoration
of the cardiac injury in rats.