Abstract
Background and Objective: Methotrexate (Meth), is one of the most commonly utilized anticancer agents. Besides, Meth has been widely used to treat rheumatoid arthritis as well as a vast variety of inflammatory disorders. The clinical use is obstacles by its hepatotoxicity. This work aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective action of Moringa oleifera Lam (M. oleifera) leaves extract against Meth-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two male albino Wistar rats were used in this study. Rats were randomly divided into four groups, control, hepatotoxic (Meth) and M. oleifera (500 and 750 mg kg(-1)) pre-treatment Meth groups. Hepatotoxicity was induced by a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of Meth (20 mg kg(-1)) while the pre-treatment groups received either M. oleifera (500 or 750 mg kg(-1)) 21 days before Meth and 5 days thereafter. Serum concentration of liver enzymes and inflammatory cytokines were measured. Liver contents of oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzymes were determined. Hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) stained liver sections from all groups were also examined. Results: Both M. oleifera doses significantly reduced serum liver enzymes, serum inflammatory cytokines and liver oxidative stress markers compared to Meth group. Besides, the two doses of M. oleifera significantly increased liver antioxidant enzymes activity compared to Meth group. In comparison, there were no differences between the two M. oleifera doses in concern to the biochemical measurements. On the other hand, M. oleifera (500 mg kg(-1)) decreased Meth-induced pathological changes in liver while M. oleifera (750 mg kg(-1)) perfectly protected the liver against Meth-induced pathological changes. Conclusion:This study provided an evidence for the protective action of M. oleifera extract against acute liver damage induced by Meth through an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanism.