Objective: By inhibiting the synthesis of thymidine and purine, and thereby DNA synthesis, Methotrexate (MTX), suppresses the proliferation of cancer cells. It is thought that the side-effect mechanism is related to oxidant molecules derived from MTX metabolism. In this study, we examined whether the Petroselinum crispum extracts (PCr; parsley) of which the antioxidant properties have been previously shown, was protective against MTX induced liver damage.Materials and Methods: Sprague Dawley rats (female/male; 200-250 g) were used. MTX was injected intraperitoneally and PCr extract was given orally. A single dose of 20mg/kg MTX was administered to the groups that were to experience hepatotoxicity. Then, a physiological saline (MTX group) or PCr (2 g/kg, MTX + PCr group) treatment was applied for 5 days. The same treatments were applied to the other groups (control group, PCr group) for 5 days after a single dose saline injection. At the end of the study, the biochemical parameters were examined in the blood and liver tissues taken from animals sacrificed by decapitation.Results: MTX caused a significant increase in malondialdehyde and collagen levels and myeloperoxidase and caspase-3 activities, while glutathione levels were found to have decreased. PCr treatment showed protective efficacy by preventing these increases. Conclusion:It appears that the administration of PCr to MTX treated rats prevented the accumulation of lipid peroxides, inflamatory reactions and depletion of antioxidant glutathione, and thus protected liver tissues against oxidative stress.

Nephrolithiasis is common urological problem and stone formation has multiple underlying pathogenetic factors. We investigated the possible preventive and therapeutic effects of Urtica dioica ethanol extract (UD) on ethylene glycol-induced nephrolithiasis model in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (n = 10). The control group was given normal drinking water for 8 weeks and was administered vehicle by gastric gavage. Stone formation was induced by adding 0.75% ethylene glycol (EG) to their drinking water. UD (700 mg/kg) was given orally for 8 weeks to the preventive group and for last 4 weeks to the treatment group, respectively. At the end of the experiment, urine, blood samples and kidney tissues were obtained. In 24-hour urine samples, calcium and citrate levels were decreased and oxalate levels were increased in EG group whereas UD treatment groups reversed these parameters back to control levels. In addition, serum levels of creatinine and urea were increased in EG group, while UD significantly reduced these parameters. Malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and tumor necrosis alpha levels, and caspase-3 and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase activities were elevated in EG group and showed a decrease in UD treated groups. Glutathione level was decreased in EG group, whereas it was increased in UD preventive group. Histological examination showed an improvement in UD treated groups. Our results suggest that UD is effective both in prevention and treatment for kidney stones. The mechanism underlying this effect may be the antioxidant effect of UD and the effect on the concentration of stone-forming components in the urine.