BENEFICIAL EFFECT OF PROPOLIS EXTRACT (BEE GLUE) AGAINST METHOTREXATE - INDUCED STRESS IN LIVER AND BRAIN OF ALBINO RATS

Methotrexate (MTX) is an anti - folate drug that is widely used in the treatment of rheumatic disorders and malignant tumors. The effica cy of MTX is often limited by its severe side effects and toxic sequelae. Propolis (bee glue) is a natural bee product rich in polyphenolic compounds known for antioxidant activity. The present study was designed to evaluate the protective role of propolis (PP) extract against oxidative stress induced by methotrexate drug (MTX) on liver and brain of rats. The nutritive value and some main active polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of the propolis extract were evaluated. The total phenolic and fl avonoid contents of propolis extract recorded in terms of mg gallic acid and catechin equivalent/100 ml extract were 1122.4 mg and 2885 mg respectively. In addition highly total antioxidant capacity presented as 178 mg ascorbic acid equivalent. Gas chromat ography mass spectrometry (GC - MS) was performed for qualitative screening of phenolic compounds in the propolis. One hundred and twenty male Wistar albino rats with mean body weights 90 g ± 5 g were classified into 5 groups. Rats were administered their re spective doses of propolis extract and/or MTX for 3, 6 and 9 weeks intervals. Control groups (G1 and G2), propolis extract group (G3), MTX group (G4) and MTX plus propolis extract group (G5). Results suggested that co - administration of the PP extract with MTX reduced the deleterious effects of methotrexate, through the significant increase in concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) and inhibition of lipid peroxidation as observed by significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) level in brain tissue. As well as, significant increase in antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR)) in liver and brain tissues as compared to MTX group alone at p<0.05 in a time dependent manner to appr oach the values found in control rats. Data showed that propolis has a powerful antioxidant capacity. It is capable of modulating the antioxidant enzyme activities and suppressing the oxidative damage induced by MTX drug in liver and brain tissues. Propoli s administration for 9 weeks proved to have remarkable protective effect against toxicity of MTX than 6 or 3 weeks.