Amelioration by nigella sativa [L.] of Methotrexate-induced toxicity in male albino rats: a biochemical, haematological and histological study

ABSTRACT

Methotrexate was administered to male albino rats in an interrupted treatment regimen comparable with proposed human clinical treatment. Animals were dosed orally with methotrexate with/without black seed oil daily for five consecutive days, followed by seven-days recovery period and the cycle of dosing and recovery was repeated for a total of four cycles. Changes in body weight [hepatic, renal and testicular functions] and hematopoietic system [erythrocytes, leucocytes, platelets and hemoglobin] as well as hepatic, renal, gastrointestinal, testicular and brain morphology were all used as parameters to assess methotrexate toxicity. The results indicated that treatment by methotrexate alone resulted in a significant decrease in hemopoietic parameters and marked alterations in morphological changes of liver, kidney, testis and intestine. On the other hand, concomitant treatment with methotrexate and black seed oil resulted in a reversibility of methotrexate depression of animal body weights as well as organ functions and morphology