The combined effect of honey and olive oil against methotrexate mediated hepatotoxicity in rats: A biochemical, histological and immunohistological study

Background. Honey and olive oil are natural products that have high nutritional values, and therapeutic properties. Cytotoxic drugs, like methotrexate (MTX) are used to treat malignancies in tumour cells; however, these drugs also have serious side effects that could threaten the patient's life. Aim. To evaluate the potential protective effects of honey and olive oil, administered alone or together, against MTX-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Methods. Adult male albino rats were divided: Group I: negative control (n=8); II: honey (daily by oral 1.2 g/kg bwt (n=8), III: olive oil (1 ml/day) (n=8), IV: single intraperitoneal injection of MTX (20 mg/kg bwt) (n=8), V: diluted honey for 3 days before injection of MTX (n=8), Group VI: olive oil for 3 days before injection of MTX (n=8), Group VII: both honey and olive oil for 3 days before injection of MTX (n=8). After treatment, rats were sacrified and blood samples were collected to determine liver function parameters, liver tissue used to measure the oxidative (malondialdehyde), antioxidative parameters (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase), histological and immunohistochemical techniques. Results. The administration of honey and olive oil exerted a protective effect against MTX-induced hepatotoxicity, as demonstrated by the normalization of the liver enzymes, proteins and total bilirubin and by the histopathological and immunohistological changes observed in the livers. Both agents also reversed the oxidative damage in the liver by decreasing level of MDA levels and increasing the antioxidant related by enzymes in the liver homogenates compared to the control rats. These effects were more evident when the two agents were administered together. Conclusion. The combined intake of honey and olive oil could be hepatoprotective. Co-administration of these agents might form an effective adjuvant therapy and minimize side effects of chemoherapy in cancerous patients.