Evaluation of Protective Activity of Curcumin in Reducing Methotrexate Induced Liver Cells Injury: An Experimental Study on Iraqi White Domestic Rabbits

Abstract

Background: Hepatotoxicity is a common problem in medical practice, most of the commonly used drugs are potentially hepatotoxic. Although Methotrexate is a hepa- toxic drug, it is widely used in the treatment of many cancerous and non-cancerous conditions because of its cytotoxic and immunosuppressant activity. Curcumin con- tains a variety of natural substances with antioxidant properties, it is widely used in folk medicine.Antioxidant activity of Curcumin can reduce liver cell injury induced by Methotrexate administration.
 Objective: The research aims to study the methotrexate hepatoxicity on rabbits, and the hepatoprotective activity of Curcumin.
 Materials and Methods: Thirty white domestic rabbits were bought from animal market and grouped randomly into three groups; control group received intraperitoneal normal saline, methotrexate group received 6.5 mg/Kgm body weight intraperitoneal methotrexate, and curcumin group received oral Curcumin in addition to intraperitoneal methotrexate.
 Results: The study showed abnormal liver function tests, INR, liver tissues oxida- tive markers, and liver cell injury on histopathology in Methotrexate group, and normal findings in Curcumin groups.
 Conclusion: It is concluded that the Methotrexate is a hepatotoxic drug. The results also shoe that the concomitant administration of Curcumin reduced hepatotoxicity.
 Recommendation: It is recommended to use of Curcumin in clinical practice as a food supplement to patient receiving methotrexate to reduce hepatotoxicity.

Combination of Vitamin C and Curcumin Safeguards Against Methotrexate-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice by Synergistic Antioxidant Effects

“…Moreover, natural and herbal products, such as CUR, have been reported to have liver protective effects against MTX toxicity via their antioxidant property ( 11 , 12 ). CUR hepatoprotective effects against MTX-induced hepatotoxicity have been evaluated in Iraqi white domestic rabbits ( 13 ).…”