BackgroundMethamphetamine is widely abused in all parts of the world. It has been reported that short-term and long-term methamphetamine exposure could damage the dopaminergic system and induce cardiomyopathy and cardiotoxicity via mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Vanillic acid (VA), a phenolic acid compound derived from plants, is known for its antioxidant and mitochondrial protection properties.MethodsIn the current study we used VA for attenuating of Methamphetamine-induced mitochondrial toxicity in cardiac mitochondria. Isolated mitochondria obtained from rat heart were grouped as: control, methamphetamine (250 µM), VA (10, 50 and 100 µM) was cotreated with methamphetamine (250 µM) and VA (100 µM) alone. After 60 min, mitochondrial fraction including: succinate dehydrogenases (SDH) activity, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), mitochondrial swelling, mitochondrial glutathione (GSH), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were evaluated.ResultsMethamphetamine exposure significantly disrupted mitochondrial function and induced ROS formation, lipid peroxidation, GSH depletion, MMP collapse and mitochondrial swelling, while VA significantly increased SDH activity as indicator of mitochondrial toxicity and dysfunction. VA also significantly decreased ROS formation, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial swelling, MMP collapse and depletion of GSH in cardiac mitochondria in the presence of methamphetamine.ConclusionThese findings suggested that VA is able to reduce methamphetamine-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Our results demonstrate that VA could potentially serve as a promising and accessible cardioprotective agent against methamphetamine-induced cardiotoxicity, via antioxidant and mitochondrial protection properties.