Hepatorenal protective effects of protocatechuic acid in rats administered with anticancer drug methotrexate

The efficacy of methotrexate (MTX) as an anticancer drug is limited by some adverse effects including hepatic and renal toxicities. The present study investigated the possible protective effect of protocatechuic acid (PCA), a phenolic phytochemical widely present in several edible vegetables and fruits, on hepatorenal toxicity associated with MTX treatment in rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 10), namely control, MTX alone (20 mg/kg), PCA alone (50 mg/kg), and rats that were coadministered MTX and PCA at 25 and 50 mg/kg. The MTX was administered as a single intraperitoneal dose on the first day, whereas PCA treatment lasted 7 days. Results indicated that PCA significantly (p < 0.05) abrogated MTX-mediated elevation in indices of hepatorenal toxicity. Furthermore, PCA protected against MTX-induced decreases in glutathione level and antioxidant enzyme activities as well as the increase in reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and lipid peroxidation in the liver and kidney of the treated rats. Administration of PCA markedly abated MTX-induced increases in interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and caspase 3 activity in the rats. The biochemical data on the hepatorenal protective effects of PCA were well supported by the histological data. Collectively, PCA protected against MTX-induced hepatorenal toxicity via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic mechanisms.