Received: 08 Jul 2014 Revised and Accepted: 17 Aug 2014 ABSTRACT Objective: This study was designed to investigate the impacts of administering of different concentrations of Aqueous Green Tea Extract (AGTE) (0.625, 1.25 or 2.5%) during Methotrexate (MTX) treatment, and continued for 5 days, on blood indices in rats. Original Article IMPACTS OF DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF AQUEOUS GREEN TEA EXTRACT ADMINISTERED DURING METHOTREXATE TREATMENT ON SOME SELECTED BLOOD INDICES IN RATS NADA N. AL-SHAWI* *Assistant Prof. (PhD) in Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Baghdad/ Baghdad, Iraq. Email: nadaalshawi@yahoo.Com Methods: Six groups of white Albino rats were utilized: Group I- (Control, received water); Group II- [single i. p. injection (20 mg/kg) of MTX], Group III- [1.25% concentration of AGTE alone for 5 days], and Groups IV, V and VI- [rats were administered, respectively AGTE (0.625, 1.25 or 2.5%), during MTX treatment, and continued for 5 days]. Results: The results showed that MTX alone induced significant decreases in Hb, HCT, MCHC, MCH, RBCs, and total WBCs; while, it increased platelets count. Administration of different concentrations of AGTE during MTX produced significant decrease in total WBCs and platelets; while significant increase in Hb, HCT, MCHC, MCH; meanwhile, significant increase, or decrease, respectively in MCV (depending on the concentration of AGTE); and a significant increase in RBCs only was seen at 2.5% AGTE plus MTX), compared to MTX-treated animals. Conclusion: Marked alterations in blood indices were obtained from this study when AGTE was administered during MTX treatment. So this study recommends taking into account such administration when MTX is therapeutically utilized. Keywords: Methotrexate, Aqueous Green tea extract, Blood indices, Rats. INTRODUCTION Methotrexate (MTX), a dihydrofolate analog, inhibits dihydrofolate reductase enzyme, an enzyme that is important for conversion of dihydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate. Thus, MTX treatment causes depletion of folate stores [1, 2]. The drug is widely used for the treatment of various malignancies as well as in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic inflammatory disorders [3- 5]. Along with its effective therapeutic power, MTX has adverse effects on several organs and tissues [6-9]. Green tea, made from the dried leaves of (Camellia sinensis, Theaceae) is one of the most popular beverages consumed around the world. Numerous experimental and epidemiological studies support the health benefits of green tea consumption, including chemo-preventive properties [10, 11], anti-inflammatory effects and antioxidants that scavenge free radicals to protect cells in normal and pathological states [12]. Most of the beneficial effects of green tea are attributed to its polyphenolic flavonoids, known as catechins, including epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin-3- gallate (ECG) and the major flavonoid (−)-epigallocatechin-3- gallate (EGCG (One cup (240 ml) of brewed green tea contains up to 200 mg EGCG) [13]. The haematological adverse effects that provoked by the chemotherapeutic drug MTX may be possibly influenced by the administration of green tea. There was no previously performed study to elucidate the impacts of administering different concentrations of AGTE during MTX on blood indices. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of administering of (0.625, 1.25 or 2.5%) concentration AGTE during MTX treatment, and continued for 5 days on some selected blood indices in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Preparation of Aqueous Green Tea Extract (AGTE) Different concentrations of AGTE (0.625, 1.25, and 2.5%) were freshly prepared by soaking for 10 minutes 0.625 gm, 1.25 gm and 2.5 gm, respectively of green tea leaves in 100 ml of distilled water at 90 o C; then each solution of AGTE was filtered [14]. The aqueous extract was substituted water as the sole source of drinking fluid in animals administered only 1.25% AGTE, and in groups of animals administered 0.625, 1.25, or 2.5% AGTE during MTX, and continued for 5 days). Experimental protocol Thirty-six White Albino rats of both sexes, weighing 200-220g were used in this study; the animals were obtained from and maintained in the Animal House of the College of Pharmacy, University of Baghdad under conditions of controlled temperature. The animals were fed commercial pellets. Groups of animals that selected and served as control or those treated with MTX alone were allowed access to tap water ad libitum; the remainder groups of animals that utilized in this study were allowed access to specific concentrations of AGTE as their sole source of drinking fluid. Ethical Committee in the College of Pharmacy, University of Baghdad was approving this study. Rats were divided into six groups of six animals each: I- Animals were administered water this group served as negative control. II- Methotrexate was administered to rats in a dose of 20 mg / kg, i. p., for one day. Following this dose, saline was administered for 5 consecutive days [15]. III- Aqueous green tea extract (AGTE) alone, at a concentration of 1.25%, was given to group of animals as a sole source of drinking water for 5 consecutive days. IV, V, and VI- Groups of animals was received respectively, different concentrations (0.625, 1.25 or 2.5%) of AGTE, as their sole source of drinking water, during MTX treatment, and continued for 5 days [14]. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences ISSN- 0975-1491 Vol 6, Issue 9, 2014 Innovare Academic Sciences