الفهرس 
Methotrexate …Only 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Methotrexate (MTX) is an anti-folate drug used to treat cancer and
some inflammatory diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis). The
efficacy of MTX is often limited by its severe toxicity. Propolis (bee glue) is
one of the most significant bee products that has an important role in
balancing antioxidant systems and has an anti-peroxidant effect on several
tissues. The present study was conducted to investigate the ameliorative
effect of propolis (PP) extract against oxidative damage of MTX on blood
and liver, kidney and brain tissues in rats. One hundred and twenty male
Wistar albino rats with mean body weights 90 g ± 5 g were divided into 5
groups. Control group (G1), Saline + DMSO group (G2), propolis extract
group (G3), MTX group (G4) and MTX plus propolis extract co-administered
group (G5). Rats were administered their respective doses of propolis extract
and/or MTX for 3, 6 and 9 weeks intervals. The results showed that the
MTX significantly reduced hemoglobin concentration (Hb), hematocrit %
(Hct), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), red blood cell
count (RBCs), white blood cell count (WBCs) and platelet s count. While
significantly increased mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and lymphocytes
%. Moreover, MTX caused significant increase of malondialdehyde (MDA)
level and significant decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration
and antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione
peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR)) in liver and brain tissues as
compared to control group (G
2) in a time dependent manner. MTX
administration also caused significant increase in serum amino transferase
AST, ALT and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities in a time dependent
manner, but a significant increase in total bilirubin only in 9 weeks as
compared to control group (G2). On the other hand, MTX impaired kidney
function as reflected by a significant increase in serum urea and creatinine
levels and decrease in serum uric acid level as compared to control group
(G
2). Results suggested that co -administration of propolis with MTX (G5)
normalized all these altered parameters as compared to MTX-treated group
in the three different time intervals. Propolis extract administration also
recovered the structural and functional integrity of the hepatic cells.
Data showed that long term administration of MTX for 9 weeks
produce maximum damage over 6 or 3 weeks, whereas, propolis
administration in combination with MTX for 9 weeks offers better
alleviation over 6 or 3 weeks.
Key words: Methotrexate, Propolis extract, Oxidative damag