Introduction: Methotrexate (MTX) is a commonly prescribed chemotherapeutic agent; however, it can alter liver cells, leading to liver damage and cirrhosis. Berberine and silymarin are herbal compounds with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
The aim of this work: Was to assess the effect of BBR versus silymarin on liver histological alterations induced by MTX.
Material and Methods: Twenty-four adult albino rats were divided into six groups. The control group was injected with 0.5ml saline intraperitoneally in the first day and administered 1ml carboxymethylcellulose (CMC 0.5%) by oral gavage daily for 7 days. The berberine treated group was given BBR (50mg/kg) dissolved in 0.5% CMC by oral gavage daily for 7 days. The silymarin treated group was given silymarin (50mg/kg) by oral gavage daily for 7 days. The methotrexate-treated group was intraperitoneally injected with a single dose of MTX (20 mg/kg). The MTX- berberine treated group was intraperitoneally injected with a single dose of MTX and BBR (50mg/kg) dissolved in 0.5% CMC by oral gavage daily for 7 days. The MTX-silymarin treated group was intraperitoneally injected with a single dose of MTX and silymarin (50mg/kg) by oral gavage daily for 7 days. Liver histological changes were assessed histologically (by light microscope and electron microscope) and biochemically.
Results: MTX administration significantly increased serum liver enzymes, malondialdehyde, catalase and superoxide dismutase while it decreased total protein level, glutathione and glutathione reductase levels. Microscopically, it induced histological damage. Both BBR and silymarin ameliorated the histological and biochemical parameters to nearly the control state. silymarin had a superior protective effect on hepatocyte ultrastructure.
Conclusion: BBR and silymarin proved a protective effect against MTX-induced histological impairment in the liver of albino rats.