Carvacrol prevents methotrexate-induced renal oxidative injury and renal damage in rats

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of carvacrol (CAR) on methotrexate (MTX)-induced renal damage in rats. Twenty-four male rats were equally divided into three groups: group I, control treatment; group II, MTX-treated; and group III, MTX+CAR-treated. A single dose of CAR (73 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to group III on the first day of the experiment and a single dose of MTX (20 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to groups II and III on the second day of the experiment. Blood samples and kidney tissue were obtained from each animal on day 8 for the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), and oxidative stress index (OSI). Light microscopy was used for histopathological examination of kidney specimens. MDA, TOS and OSI levels were significantly greater in the group receiving MTX alone relative to the control animals, while the TAS level was significantly reduced in the MTX group compared with the control group. The administration of CAR was associated with significantly decreased MDA, TOS, and OSI levels and increased TAS levels relative to the rats treated with MTX alone. Animals treated with CAR exhibited decreased tubular degeneration and architectural impairment relative to animals treated with MTX alone; however, the difference in histological scores did not meet the threshold of statistical significance. MTX treatment results in oxidative damage to the rat kidney; damage which is partially abrogated by the administration of CAR.