Abstract
Background
The adverse effects of methotrexate (MTX) mainly hepatotoxicity restrict its clinical use. This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of saffron (Crocus sativus) (CS) extract on MTX-induced hepatotoxicity.
Methods
Twenty-eight male Wistar rats randomly divided into four equal groups. Except for control, all groups received a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of MTX on the 3rd day of study. The CS extract was given (80 mg/kg i.p.) to rats 3 days before MTX and continued for the next 7 days (Pre&Post-CS group) or administrated after MTX injection and lasted for 7 days (Post-CS group). On the 11th day, all rats were sacrificed and their plasma levels of liver enzymes including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined. Also, liver histopathology and hepatic levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and super oxidase dismutase (SOD) were evaluated.
Results
The results showed that MTX significantly incremented plasma levels of AST, ALT, ALP and LDH (all p<0.001) and hepatic MDA and NO levels; whereas, decreased SOD activity. Histological alterations such as early fatty changes were evident in the MTX group. Administration of CS extract at both methods could ameliorate liver enzyme elevation, oxidative/nitrosative stresses and morphological alterations of the liver. Pre-and-post treatment with CS extract showed better protective effects than only post-treatment.
Conclusion
The present findings provide showing CS could effectively alleviate MTX-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Further investigations are recommended to determine the exact mechanisms underlying the hepatoprotective potential of saffron.
Acknowledgments
This work was financially supported by Birjand University of Medical Sciences (Grant number: 455638).
Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.
Research funding: Birjand University of Medical Sciences http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100005117 (Grant number: 455638).
Employment or leadership: None declared.
Honorarium: None declared.
Competing interests: The authors have no financial or nonfinancial conflicts of interest to declare.
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© 2019 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
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Articles in the same Issue
- Reviews
- Antimalarial plants with potential male-factor antifertility properties
- Non-pharmacological management of gestational diabetes: The role of myo-inositol
- Pre-Clinical
- Immune stimulatory and anti-HIV-1 potential of extracts derived from marine brown algae Padina tetrastromatica
- Antihyperglycaemic, haemorheological and antioxidant activities of Lychnis chalcedonica L. extract in a streptozotocin-induced rat model of diabetes mellitus
- Wound healing activity of Terminalia bellerica Roxb. and gallic acid in experimentally induced diabetic animals
- Crocin treatment decreased pancreatic atrophy, LOX-1 and RAGE mRNA expression of pancreas tissue in cholesterol-fed and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
- Oral supplementation with geranium oil or anise oil ameliorates depressed rat-related symptoms through oils antioxidant effects
- Evaluation of anxiolytic and hypoglycemic potential of Cissus adnata Roxb. in animal model
- The impact of Crocus sativus stigma against methotrexate-induced liver toxicity in rats
- Millettia aboensis ameliorates oxidative stress through synergic interaction of its active compounds
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- “Cleanse” detoxification diet program in Appalachia: Participant characteristics and perceived health effects
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- Acute effects of essential oil blend containing phlai oil on mood among healthy male volunteers: Randomized controlled trial
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- Physiological persona differences based on stress and inflammation between meditators and healthy controls
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- Immediate effect of mind sound resonance technique (MSRT – a yoga-based relaxation technique) on blood pressure, heart rate, and state anxiety in individuals with hypertension: a pilot study
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