Protective effect of propolis on liver and kidney injury caused by methotrexate in chicks

Abstract

The current study aimed to explain propolis's protective effect on the liver and kidney damage caused by methotrexate (MTX). A total of 80 chickens at one day old were used and divided into three groups; the first group was the control group, the second group received the propolis, the second group was treated with MTX, and the fourth group received both propolis and treated with MTX. After 15 days of experimental, all chickens were euthanized, and blood samples and liver and kidney tissue were collected. The result showed that the treated group with MTX showed an increase in serum levels of AST, ALT, AP, urea, creatinine, and uric acid in comparison with both the control and propolis group, while in the group treated with both Propolis and MTX showed serum level of AST, ALT, AP, urea, creatinine, and uric acid similar to that recorded in both in the control group and MTX group. The liver sections treated with methotrexate showed hyperplasia of fibrocytes in the portal area with infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells represented by macrophages, and coagulative necrosis in affected hepatocytes, clear vacuoles in the hepatocytes, massive infiltration of macrophages. Sections of the liver treated with methotrexate and propolis explain a marked decrease in fatty degeneration, with few infiltrations of mononuclear inflammatory cells around portal areas. The liver section from the propolis-treated group and the control group showed typical hepatic tissue architecture. The kidney sections treated with methotrexate showed coagulative necrosis in the endothelial cells, glomeruli appearing irregular in shape, and hemorrhaging in the extracellular matrix. The sections of the kidney treated with methotrexate and propolis explain a marked rise in the renal tubules with the typical feature of a healthy one. The section of the kidney from the propolis treated group and control group showed typical architecture of renal tissue. In conclusion, propolis greatly protects against MTX's toxic effect on chicks' liver and kidneys.