1 research outputs found
The combined effect of honey and olive oil against methotrexate mediated hepatotoxicity in rats: A biochemical, histological and immunohistological study
Background. Honey and olive oil are natural
products that have high nutritional values, and
therapeutic properties. Cytotoxic drugs, like
methotrexate (MTX) are used to treat malignancies in
tumour cells; however, these drugs also have serious side
effects that could threaten the patient's life.
Aim. To evaluate the potential protective effects of
honey and olive oil, administered alone or together,
against MTX-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.
Methods. Adult male albino rats were divided:
Group I: negative control (n=8); II: honey (daily by oral
1.2 g/kg bwt (n=8), III: olive oil (1 ml/day) (n=8), IV:
single intraperitoneal injection of MTX (20 mg/kg bwt)
(n=8), V: diluted honey for 3 days before injection of
MTX (n=8), Group VI: olive oil for 3 days before
injection of MTX (n=8), Group VII: both honey and
olive oil for 3 days before injection of MTX (n=8). After
treatment, rats were sacrified and blood samples were
collected to determine liver function parameters, liver
tissue used to measure the oxidative (malondialdehyde),
antioxidative parameters (superoxide dismutase, catalase
and glutathione peroxidase), histological and
immunohistochemical techniques.
Results. The administration of honey and olive oil
exerted a protective effect against MTX-induced
hepatotoxicity, as demonstrated by the normalization of
the liver enzymes, proteins and total bilirubin and by the
histopathological and immunohistological changes
observed in the livers. Both agents also reversed the
oxidative damage in the liver by decreasing level of
MDA levels and increasing the antioxidant related by
enzymes in the liver homogenates compared to the
control rats. These effects were more evident when the
two agents were administered together.
Conclusion. The combined intake of honey and olive
oil could be hepatoprotective. Co-administration of these
agents might form an effective adjuvant therapy and
minimize side effects of chemoherapy in cancerous
patients