Hematological alterations in methotrexate induced toxicity in rats and its amelioration by Tinospora cordifolia

Abstract

Methotrexate (MTX), an anti-neoplastic drug and is also used against psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. The present study was carried out at Department of Pathology, Veterinary College, Bangalore, India from July 2013 to December 2013 to assess the hematological changes following MTX administration in Wistar albino rats and its amelioration by extract of Tinospora cordifolia (TC) for a period of 45 days. Rats were divided into five groups comprising of control and treatment groups. The dosage used for MTX and TC extract was 5mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally and 200mg/kg by oral gavaging, respectively. The MTX treated rats showed significant decrease in haemoglobin, TEC, TLC and platelet count as compared to normal control animals. Supplementation of TC to MTX treated rats significantly improved the hematological parameters. The study concluded that damage to the hemopoitic system evident by deranged hematological parameters can be prevented by administration of extract of Tinospora cordifolia.