Ameliorative Effect of Gallic Acid on Methotrexate-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Nephrotoxicity in Rat

Nobiletin alleviates methotrexate-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats

We investigated the possible ameliorative effects of nobiletin (NBL) against methotrexate (MTX)-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats. Twenty-eight Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four groups, namely: Control; MTX (administered 20 mg/kg MTX); MTX+NBL (administered 20 mg/kg MTX and 10 mg/kg NBL per day); and NBL (administered 10 mg/kg/day NBL). Histopathological, immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses were performed on the kidney and liver tissues of rats at the end of the study. MTX caused renal toxicity, as indicated by increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) and caspase-3, as well as decreases in reduced glutathione (GSH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2). MTX also caused hepatotoxicity, as indicated by increases in 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), MDA and caspase-3 and decrease in interleukin 10 (IL-10), GSH, total antioxidant capacity, GPx, G6PD, CAT and Bcl-2. MTX caused histopathological changes in kidney and liver tissues indicating tissue and cellular damage. Administration of NBL concurrently with methotrexate reduced oxidative stress, inflammatory and apoptotic signs, and prevented kidney and liver damage caused by methotrexate. We consider NBL has attenuating and ameliorating effects on methotrexate-induced hepatorenal toxicity.

Whey protein concentrate ameliorates the methotrexate-induced liver and kidney damage

Methotrexate (MTX) is a cytotoxic immunosuppressant that is widely used in the treatment of tumours, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. This study aims to evaluate the effects of whey proteins on MTX-induced liver and kidney damage by focusing on oxidant–antioxidant systems and eating habits. The study was conducted in four groups of thirty Sprague–Dawley rats (control, control + whey protein concentrate (WPC), MTX, MTX + WPC). A single dose of 20 mg/kg MTX was administered intraperitoneally to the MTX groups. Control and MTX groups were given 2 g/kg WPC by oral gavage every day for 10 d. At the end of day 10, blood samples were drawn and liver and kidney tissues were removed. MTX administration increased the lipid peroxidation level and decreased glutathione level, superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase activities in the liver and kidney. Administration of WPC significantly reduced the damage caused by MTX in the liver and kidney. While a decrease in serum urea level and an increase in serum creatinine level were detected in the MTX group, WPC administration reversed these results up to control group levels. Administration of WPC to the MTX group significantly reversed the histopathological damage scores of the liver and kidney. WPC administration ameliorated the MTX-induced oxidative damage in the liver and kidney tissues due to its antioxidant properties. Liver and kidney damage can be prevented by using whey proteins as a nutraceutical in MTX therapy. In conclusion, whey proteins demonstrated a protective effect against MTX-induced liver and kidney damage.

Ameliorative effect of gallic acid on cisplatin-induced ovarian toxicity in rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of gallic acid (GA) against cisplatin (CDDP)-induced ovarian toxicity, for the first time. The ovarian damage was generated with CDDP (5 mg/kg) intraperitoneally (i.p.) administration in rats. GA (2.5 and 5 mg/kg) were administered i.p. for 3 consecutive days. The study was carried out in 5 main groups containing 6 rats in each group: control, GA (5 mg/kg), CDDP, CDDP + GA (2.5 mg/kg) and CDDP + GA (5 mg/kg). The levels of ovarian malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), oxidative stress index (OSI), catalase (CAT), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), caspase-3 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were determined. Hematoxylin and eosin staining method was employed for the histopathological examination. In the CDDP group, it is determined that statistically significant decreasing in the levels of TAS and CAT, and increasing in the levels of MDA, TOS, OSI, 8-OHdG, caspase-3 and TNF-α (p < 0.05) compared with control group. GA administrations statistically significantly restored this damage (p < 0.05). Although vascular congestion, edema, hemorrhage, follicular degeneration and leukocyte infiltration were significantly higher in the CDDP group than in the control group, GA administrations statistically significantly restored these damages (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study showed that GA prevented CDDP-induced ovarian damage with its antioxidant, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory activities. More comprehensive studies are needed to see the underlying mechanisms.

The Protective Effects of Nutraceutical Components in Methotrexate-Induced Toxicity Models—An Overview

There are multiple concerns associated with methotrexate (MTX), widely recognized for anti-neoplastic and anti-inflammatory effects in life-threatening disease conditions, i.e., acute lymphoblastic leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis, due to long-term side effects and associated toxicity, which limits its valuable potential. MTX acts as an inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase, leading to suppression of purine and pyrimidine synthesis in high metabolic and turnover cells, targeting cancer and dysregulated immune cells. Due to low discrimination between neoplastic cells and naturally high turnover cells, MTX is prone to inhibiting the division of all fast-dividing cells, causing toxicity in multiple organs. Nutraceutical compounds are plant-based or food-derived compounds, used for their preventive and therapeutic role, ascertained in multiple organ dysfunctions, including cardiovascular disease, ischemic stroke, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Gut microbiota and microbiota-derived metabolites take part in multiple physiological processes, their dysregulation being involved in disease pathogenesis. Modulation of gut microbiota by using nutraceutical compounds represents a promising therapeutic direction to restore intestinal dysfunction associated with MTX treatment. In this review, we address the main organ dysfunctions induced by MTX treatment, and modulations of them by using nutraceutical compounds. Moreover, we revealed the protective mechanisms of nutraceuticals in MTX-induced intestinal dysfunctions by modulation of gut microbiota.

The renoprotective effects of gallic acid on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity through anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammatory effects, and downregulation of lncRNA TUG1

Cisplatin, an antineoplastic drug used in cancer therapy, -induced nephrotoxicity mediated by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Gallic acid (GA) is identified as an antioxidant substance with free radical scavenging properties. This research was designed to examine the ameliorative impact of GA caused by cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity through apoptosis and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Taurine-upregulated gene 1 (TUG1) expression. Thirty-two male Sprague Dawley rats (200 - 220 g) were randomly allocated to four groups: (1) control group; (2) rats treated with cisplatin (7.5 mg/kg, i.p.) on the fourth day; and the two other groups include rats pretreated with GA (20 and 40 mg/kg by gavage) for s7 days and cisplatin (7.5 mg/kg, i.p.) at the fourth day. The rats were anesthetized and sacrificed for collecting samples, 72 h after cisplatin administration. The blood samples were used to investigate biochemical factors and kidney tissue was evaluated for measuring oxidative stress and inflammatory factors and the gene expression of molecular parameters. The results indicated that GA administration increased the B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) mRNA and lncRNA TUG1 expression, and reduced Bcl-2-associated x protein (Bax), and caspase-3 expression. Likewise, the TAC level increased, and kidney MDA content decreased by administration of GA. GA also decreased the inflammatory factor levels, including IL-1β and TNF-α. Moreover, GA led to the improvement of kidney dysfunction as evidenced by reducing plasma BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and Cr (creatinine). Taken together, GA could protect the kidney against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptosis properties and reduction of lncRNA TUG1 expression.

The impact of gallic acid on the methotrexate-induced kidney damage in rats

Prolonged use of an antineoplastic agent methotrexate (MTX), can cause numerous side effects such as nephrotoxicity. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of MTX on kidneys and demonstrate the protective effects of gallic acid (GA). Twenty-four, male, rats distributed into three groups. Each groups consisted eight rats and only saline was administered to the control group. The MTX group received a single dose (20 mg/kg) MTX intraperitoneally. The MTX + GA group received same dose MTX and 100 mg/kg GA orally during the 7 days. Renal functions, oxidative stress markers, histopathological and immunohistochemical changes were evaluated at the end of the experiment. Blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid levels and tissue oxidative stress markers, total oxidant status and oxidative stress index levels significantly increased and total antioxidant status levels significantly decreased in MTX group compared with the control group. At the histopathological examination hemorrhages, tubular cell necrosis, glomerulosclerosis, inflammatory cell infiltrations and proteinous materials in tubules were noticed in MTX group. Immunohistochemical examination revealed that increased expressions of serum amyloid A (SAA), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), prostaglandin E2 (PGE-2) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in tubular epithelial cells of kidneys in this group. There were no immunoreaction with SAA and CRP, only small number of PGE-2 and TNF-α positive tubular epithelial cells were observed in MTX + GA group. In conclusion, all evidence suggested that oxidative stress caused MTX-induced nephrotoxicity and GA prevent the kidney from the nephrotoxicity due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.