The Effects of Methotrexate and Matricaria Chamomilla Extract on Some Immunological and Hematological Parameters in Male Albino Rats

Abstract

Matricaria chamomilla,  is a popular herb that exhibits various pharmacological activities. The current study was conducted to investigate the relationship between methotrexate(MTX)  and  chamomile extract and to estimate their impact on some immunological and hematological parameters in rats. Thirty-six male rats (Rattus rattus) were divided into six groups (6 rats for each), G1(control), G2(MTXtreatment), G3(chamomile flowers methanolic extract), G4(chamomile flowers methanolic extract with MTX), G5 (chamomile flowers aqueous extract), G6(chamomile flowers aqueous extract and MTX treatment).  All the groups were treated for 30 days  and then  sacrificed on day 31. The results indicated that the blood parameters were significantly influenced by the type of group. The total number of WBCs in G4 and G6 were significantly lower (p<0.001) compared to other groups, while WBCs in other groups not significantly changed compared to the control (p>0.05).  The number of lymphocytes in both G2 and G4 were significantly lower (p<0.001), while the changes in other groups were not statistically observed compared to the control (p>0.05).  The number of monocytes was significantly decreased in G4 compared to the G1, G3, and G5, while this decrease was statistically disappeared compared to the G2 and G6.   de among the above groups. In addition, number of GRA was only the one which was not significantly affected by the type of group. Furthermore,  the level of   IL-2 cytokine  in treated groups  did not show any significant differences compared to the control group and also among groups (P>0.05), while concentration of IL-10 cytokine   in G6 group  was significantly lower compared to the control group, on the other hand  such changes were disappeared among other groups  in comparison to the control group. In conclusion, according to the results, the immunosuppressant drug methotrexate influenced via the type of group and showed synergistic effect with Matricaria chamomilla extract on some immunological and hematological parameters.