Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Backgrounds: Methotrexate (MTX) is an antimetabolite chemotherapeutic agent commonly prescribed for various cancers and autoimmune diseases. Despite its considerable therapeutic effects, nephrotoxicity is an important side-effect of treatment with MTX. Raspberry fruit is able to protect biological systems from the harmful effects of free radicals. The purpose of this study was to study the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of raspberry fruit on the methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity.

Methods: 54 male Wistar rats were divided into 9 groups: group 1 (control), group 2 sham (normal saline 0.3ml/day), group 3 received a single dose of methotrexate (20 mg/kg BW) at the 3^rd day, groups 4–6 received raspberry extract (100, 200, 400 mg/kg BW, respectively) for 10 consecutive days. Groups 7-9 received raspberry extract (100,200,400 mg/kg BW, respectively) for 10 consecutive days and at the 3^rd day 1-h after injection of raspberry extract, a single dose of methotrexate (20 mg/kg BW) was applied. All injections were performed intraperitoneally. At day 11, rats were killed and blood serum and kidney of all groups were collected in order to investigate the histological and serologic changes.

Results: A significant increase in the levels of serum urea, creatinine and uric acid along with renal tissue damage in the group receiving methotrexate was observed. While treating with raspberry fruit extract ameliorated the symptoms in methotrexate treated rats.

Conclusion: According to the results of this study raspberry extract has protective effects against nephrotoxicity induced by methotrexate.