Phytoremediation of methotrexate induced genotoxicity using polyphenol extracts of Asteracantha longifolia Nees. and Piper betle Linn

Abstract

The extracts of Asteracantha longifolia and Piper betle are widely used ethnobotanics. This study has first taken the initiative of assessing their chemo-protective properties against Methotrexate (MTX) insult. Heteropneustes fossilis was chosen as the model for this experiment and they were divided into six groups. Group 1 was kept as the control; Group 2 was given sublethal concentrations of MTX; Group 3 was administered A. longifolia extract prior to as well as simultaneously with MTX; Group 4 was given A. longifolia extract only along with MTX; Group 5 was administered P. betle extract prior to as well as simultaneously with MTX and Group 6 was given P. betle extract only along with MTX. This setup enabled to clarify which extract had either a preventive or a remedial aptitude at dealing with MTX induced genotoxicity. The results indicated that A. longifolia extract can be used to remedy the damage induced by MTX and P. betle extract is the best at preventing it. This study has opened up new frontiers for preventing any collateral damage done by chemotherapy drugs and directing their effects towards only the carcinogenic cells. Further research is required for practical application of these plant extracts in cancer patients, as an efficient mechanism for delivering the drug to the normal tissues is yet to be invented.