Aqueous parsley (Petroselinum crispum) extract ameliorated methotrexate-induced brain and small intestine damage in rats

Methotrexate (MTX) is a widely used antiarthritic and chemotherapeutic agent known to cause damage to various tissues. This study investigated the potential protective effects of parsley extract against MTX-induced brain and intestinal tissue damage. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control, control + parsley, MTX, and MTX + parsley. MTX (20 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to the MTX and MTX + parsley groups. The control + parsley, and MTX + parsley groups were administered 2 g/kg parsley extract by oral gavage for five consecutive days. After the fifth day, brain and small intestinal tissues were taken. Total protein, nitric oxide, lipid peroxidation, glutathione levels, tissue factor, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione S-transferase activities were determined in these tissues. The protein profiles of the tissues were evaluated using SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Parsley administration caused a decrease in lipid peroxidation levels in both tissues of the MTX group. On the other hand, glutathione level, glutathione-S-transferase, and superoxide dismutase activities were found to be increased. On the other hand, parsley decreased the nitric oxide level which was increased in the intestinal tissues of the MTX group. There was no significant change in brain nitric oxide level and tissue factor activity between groups. MTX and parsley administration altered protein expression, leading to the appearance or disappearance of specific bands in intestinal and brain tissues. In conclusion, parsley alleviated MTX-induced damage in brain and intestinal tissues by reducing lipid peroxidation and modulating antioxidant defenses.