Preventive Role of Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) Cladodes on methotrexate-induced Biochemical, Hematological and oxidative damage in rat liver

Methotrexate is widely used in the therapy of various types of malignancy as well as in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases. Its efficacy is limited by severe side effects, it may affect liver, kidney, and blood. The ability of Extract of Cactus to restore MTX – liver and Hematological Damage was tested. Cactus cladode Extract (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill.) was injected intraperitoneally alone or simultaneously with an intraperitoneal Methotrexate (MTX) administration to wistar male rats for 10 days. The rats were randomly divided into four groups as follows; I- Control group; II- cactus group (0.4g/kg); III-MTX group (20mg/kg); IV-MTX+cactus (0.4g/kg of cactus+20mg/kg MTX). On the tenth day rats were scarified by decapitation, blood samples were colleted for hematological and serum biochemical parameters measurements. Our results clearly showed that MTX treatment significantly decreased hematocrit, hemoglobin, white blood cells, and increased the most of biochemical serum parameters. While the mixture of the extract of cactus cladodes with the MTX induced a reestablishment of hematological parameters, and levels of serum biochemical enzyme activities. In conclusion, it appears that cactus cladodes extract protects against methotrexate-induced oxidant organ injury and it may become a promising treatment in the prevention of undesired side effect of MTX.

Keywords: Opuntia ficus indica, Methotrexate, Biochemical and Hematological Parameters, Prevention, Cladodes of Cactus

Acknowledgement: This research was funded by the Tunisian Ministry of Scientific Research and Technology through the Research Unit of Macromolecular Biochemistry and Genetics, Faculty of Sciences of Gafsa