Abstract:

Purpose: We aimed to detect the ameliorating effects of Moringa leaves extract (MLE) against Methotrexate (MTX) induced hippocampus damage.

Methods: 50 male Albino rats weighing 150-170 g were divided into equal five groups; Group I: served as a control group, Group II: received MLE orally (300 mg/kg b w) twice a week for four weeks, Group III: injected intraperitoneal with MTX (0.5mg/kg b w) twice a week for four weeks, Group IV: rats received MTX and MLE at the same timeline for four weeks with the same dose and route of administration, Group V: received MTX firstly followed by MLE for four weeks with the same dose and route of administration.

Results: the histological examination showed that in the control group, and group II there was a normal hippocampal features. Conversely, Group III revealed pronounced alterations, including a contracted CA size and a C-shaped DG with a lost angle, accompanied by pyramidal cell degeneration. In the group IV, the DG angle partially restored. In group V, showed persistent challenges in mitigating MTX induced alterations, with the contracted CA size and C-shaped DG configuration persisting. The immunohistochemical study of P53 immunoreactivity showed that the contrasting findings in P53 expression between the control and MLE-treated groups suggest that MLE may modulate the expression of this tumor suppressor gene in the hippocampus.

Conclusions: MLE has a therapeutic effect against MTX induced hippocampus damage as evidenced by the stimulation of the pro-apoptotic effect via increasing the P53 expression in the brain tissues.