Effect of Green Tea Versus Black Seed on Methotrexate Induced Cytotoxicity in Oral Mucosa and Submandibular Salivary Gland of Albino Rats

Abstract

Methotrexate, a folic acid analogue and antagonist, is widely used as a cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of malignancies and some autoimmune diseases, but the efficacy is limited due to its side effects. The cytotoxic effect of MTX is not selective for cancer and hyperproliferative cells, it affects the normal tissues as well. The amount of the damage and its severity is based on the duration and amount of drug used to treat the disease (37). Green Tea contains various components with health-promoting effects. It is believed to have protective effects against diseases such as cancer, diabetes, obesity, hepatitis and neurodegenerative diseases. Majority of scientific evi-dence based on cellular and animal experiments as well as a number of human epidemiological and intervention studies demonstrate that Green Tea has beneficial health effects against various diseases