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The Protective Effects of Thymus vulgaris Aqueous Extract against Methotrexate- Induced Hepatic Toxicity in Rabbits
بان جمعة قاسم
Authors : Noor Hassoon Swayeh, Ahmed R. Abu-Raghif, Ban Jumaa Qasim, Hayder B Sahib
ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to investigate the protective effects of aqueous extract of thyme (Thymus Vulgaris) against methotrexate (MTX)-induced toxicity in rabbits. Twenty four rabbits were divided randomly into three groups. Group I was the control group left without treatment, group II was MTX group received a dose of MTX, 20 mg/kg intraperitoneally for three successive days and group III was MTX plus thyme group received a dose of thyme, 500mg/kg orally for 7 days and MTX was given at day three in a dose of 20 mg/kg intraperitoneally for three successive days. After 7 days serum liver function tests were measured then sacrificed and liver tissue homogenate was prepared to evaluate tissue levels of glutathione, malondialdehyde and tumor necrosis factor-α. Also, liver tissue sections were prepared and stained for histological evaluation. Administration of thyme extract significantly decreased the elevated levels of Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and significantly increased the lowered levels of total protein and albumin in the serum compared to MTX-treated group. It also elevates Glutathione (GSH) and decreases Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) tissue levels significantly compared to MTX treated group; this was associated with improving histological features that impaired during MTX exposure. Thyme extract protects hepatic tissue against MTX-induced liver damage. Keywords: Aqueous extract, Hepatic protection, Methotrexate, Thyme.

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30-11-2014