Ameliorative effects of hesperidin on methotrexate toxicity in wistar rats: A hematological study

Abstract

This present research work was conducted on 40 Wistar rats to study the methotrexate (MTX) toxicity and ameliorative effects of hesperidin. Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 different groups with 5 male and 5 female in each group. The group were numbered as group I to IV. Group I served as a control and received 1% CMC in distilled water thorough orally for 28 days. Group II received single dose of MTX at the dose rate of 20 mg/kg/b.wt on 21st day of study via i.p. Whereas group III received hesperidin at the dose rate of 100 mg/kg/b.wt and group IV 200 mg/kg/b.wt orally for 28 days and single dose of MTX @ 20 mg/kg on 21st day of study via i.p. The Blood samples were collected from retro orbital venous plexus using rat capillaries at 21st and 28th day of experiment for haematological parameters. group (II) showed clinical signs like decreased feed intake, dullness and diarrhoea after administration of methotrexate. Hesperidin treated both groups (III&IV) showed less severe symptoms than MTX treated group rats. The significant lower mean value of TLC, neutrophils, TEC, Hb, HCT, platelets while significant higher mean value of eosinophils and MCV in MTX treated group (II). In female and male rats, Hesperidin treated both groups 100 mg and 200 mg revealed significant higher mean value of TLC, neutrophils, TEC, Hb, HCT, platelets and significant lower mean value of eosinophils and MCV compared to methotrexate groups on 28th day of study. This study suggests hesperidin have a protective effect against MTX.