Background & Aims: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effects of turmeric on intestinal damage and oxidative stress induced by Methotrexate.

 Materials & Methods: For this purpose, male rats were divided into 6 groups. Group I received normal saline orally. Group II received single dose of methoterxate (20 mgkg ^-1) IP at day of 30, the fifth and the sixth groups received turmeric extract received different dose of turmeric and single dose of methoterxate (MTX). Four days after MTX injection blood samples were taken to evaluation the total antioxidant status and jejunum samples were taken to determine antioxidant enzyme activities, aldehyde malondialdehyde (MDA), and histopathological assessment.

 Results: The histopathology analysis showed that the mean difference between groups II received single dose of methotrexate and groups V and VI received methotrexate plus turmeric. There are epithelial cells necrosis, inflammatory cells, blunting and villus shortening in second group. However in groups V and VI have been shown to be ameliorated and decreased in pathologic results, especially in group VI. Biochemical result shown that the levels of superoxidase dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase reduced in group II, but increased significantly (P< 0.05) in turmeric + MTX groups. MTX increased lipid peroxidation however, turmeric decreased peroxidation significantly (P<0.05).

 Conclusion: These results revealed that turmeric extract by its antioxidant properties may protect the intestinal methotrexate-induced damage in rats.

 SOURCE: URMIA MED J 2014: 25(2): 128 ISSN: 1027-3727