Methotrexate (MTX) inhibits mitosis by antagonizing the folic acid required for DNA synthesis. Since it is metabolized in the liver, it may cause toxic effects. In this study, the effect of barbaloin (BAR), an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substance, against MTX-induced liver damage was investigated. Totally 18 animals were divided into control, MTX, and MTX+BAR groups. The study was terminated after liver and blood samples were taken. While liver malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels raised in the MTX group compared to the control group, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities decreased. While MDA and MPO levels decreased in the MTX+BAR group compared to the MTX group, SOD, CAT, and GPx activities increased. The levels of blood aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase increased in the MTX group but decreased in the MTX+BAR group. MTX has toxic effects on the liver and this toxicity diminished with the application of BAR.
Key words: Barbaloin, liver, methotrexate, oxidative stress, rat
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