Investigation of Protective Effect of Matricaria Chamomilla L. Extract on Methotrexate-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Wistar Rat

Abstract Methotrexate (MTX) was shown to cause oxidative stress and liver damage. The objective was to investigate the possible protective effects of Matricaria Chamomilla L. (chamomile) extract with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties on the methotrexate-induced liver toxicity. Twenty four Wistar rats were divided into four groups. MTX group was injected intraperitoneally on days 7 and 14 with 20 mg/kg methotrexate. Groups CE200 (chamomile extract 200 mg/kg/day) and CE300 (chamomile extract 300 mg/kg/day) received the same dose of methotrexate added with chamomile extract orally for 15 days at 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg respectively and the last group was healthy control group. Results of biochemical analyses indicated serum liver biomarkers (aminotransferases), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin, and liver content of anti-oxidant enzymes (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)), reduced glutathione (GSH) and total anti-oxidant capacity (TAC) significantly increased (P <0.05-0.001) to normal in the CE treated groups compared to those of the MTX group. Serum bilirubin and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels significantly increased (P ˂0.001) in MTX group compared to those of the control group and decreased in CE200 and CE300 groups compared to those of the MTX group. Histopathological study showed inflammatory damage, necrotic cells and lipid infiltration in MTX group. In the groups treated with the chamomile extract, a significant improvement was observed in liver tissue in response to increased dose of the extract. In conclusion, chamomile extract administration could have a protective role in methotrexate-induced liver toxicity in rats through improving anti-oxidant defense system.

Avaliação da atividade antibacteriana de extratos etanólico e de ciclohexano a partir das flores de camomila (Matricaria chamomilla L. ) / Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of ethanolic and cyclohexane extracts of chamomile flowers (Matricaria chamomilla L. )

Devido à crescente seleção de microrganismos resistentes aos antimicrobianos atuais, tem-se valorizado a busca por alternativas naturais. O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a atividade antibacteriana de extratos etanólico e de ciclohexano de flores de camomila, espécie vegetal de uso antigo pela medicina tradicional, frente às bactérias ATCC Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli e Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica sorovar Typhimurium pelas técnicas de difusão em ágar e diluição em caldo. Foi observada inibição do crescimento de P. aeruginosa frente ao extrato etanólico bruto (1g/mL) na técnica de diluição em caldo, e confirmada pela técnica de difusão em ágar (halo de inibição de 10 mm de diâmetro). Para as demais bactérias testadas, os extratos e suas diluições não apresentaram efeito bacteriostático em nenhuma das técnicas. Pode-se concluir que o extrato etanólico bruto da camomila apresentou atividade antibacteriana frente à P. aeruginosa, porém não foi eficaz frente à S. aureus, E. coli e Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica sorovar Typhimurium. Portanto, são necessários novos estudos com diferentes linhagens de microrganismos, com o intuito de corroborar e assegurar os resultados apresentados, para definir o potencial antimicrobiano do extrato da camomila.

Due to the growing selection of microorganisms resistant to antimicrobial, the search for natural alternatives has become popular. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of ethanolic and cyclohexane extracts of chamomile flowers, a plant species long used by traditional medicine, against ATCC bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium by agar diffusion and broth dilution techniques. Growth of P. aeruginosa was inhibited when crude ethanolic extract (1g/mL) was used broth dilution, and was confirmed by agar diffusion, (10 mm diameter inhibition zone). For the other bacteria tested, the extracts and their dilutions did not show any bacteriostatic effect in any of the techniques. It may be concluded that pure ethanolic extract of chamomile presents antibacterial action against P. aeruginosa, and none against S. aureus, E. coli e Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica sorovar Typhimurium. However, other studies with different strains of microorganisms may be useful in order to corroborate and ensure these results, to define evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of chamomile extract.