Protective Effects of Tinospora Cordifolia against Methotrexate Induced Oxidative Damage in Rat Liver

The role of aqueous extract of Tinospora cordifolia [TC], in preventing methotrexate [MTX] induced oxidative damage in rat liver was studied. Sixty Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups with twelve rats in each group. Group I served as normal control group. To group II rats, MTX was administered at 5mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally for three consecutive days. Rats in group III were administered with MTX and treated with TC extract at 200mg/kg by oral gavaging for 45 days. Group IV rats were pre-treated with TC ten days prior to MTX administration and followed by TC treatment for 45 days. Rats in group V served as TC control and were administered TC at the dose of 200mg/kg body weight for 45 days. The liver samples collected at 7th, 14th, 28th, and 45th day of the study were subjected for estimation of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde [MDA]. Significant decrease [P<0.01] in the levels of antioxidant enzymes and increase in MDA levels were recorded in MTX treatment group. The TC treatment groups revealed a significant recovery [P<0.01] all enzymes and decrease in MDA levels which suggested that TC has a good antioxidant effect and could be effectively used for prevention of toxic side effects of MTX. The study also indicated that pretreatment of TC prior to MTX administration has good prophylactic effect.