The Effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of Achillea millefolium on apoptotic changes in Cyclophosphamide Treated Mice

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is extensively used as an antineoplastic agent for treatment of various cancers, as well as that is known to cause several adverse effects including cell toxicity. Achillea millefolium (AM) is one of the oldest medicinal plant has been shown to be cytoprotective by scavenging free radicals. The present study was aimed to evaluate the effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of AM inflorescences in 3 different doses on apoptotic changes in CP Treated Mice using Annexin V–binding method for the detection of membrane phosphatidylserine translocation. In order to 30 Male adult NMRI mice, aged 6-8 weeks, were randomly divided into five groups and treated for 35 days. The control group received distilled water (0.1 ml/kg, daily), Group 2 received CP alone (5mg in 50ml distilled water /kg, daily), Group 3 received CP (5mg in 50ml distilled water /kg, daily) + hydro-alcoholic extract of AM (75mg/kg, daily). Group 4 received CP (5mg in 50ml distilled water /kg, daily) + hydro-alcoholic extract of AM (150mg/kg, daily) and Group 5 received CP (5mg in 50ml distilled water /kg, daily) + hydro-alcoholic extract of AM (300mg/kg, daily). Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA and Tukey test. CP significantly increased apoptosis in comparison with that of control group. Higher rate of Annexin V-positive (ANV+) cells was observed in group 2 (p < 0.001) and 5 (p< 0.05) compared to group 1. Above-mentioned parameter in group 4 significantly decreased compared to group 2 (p< 0.05). However, Medium dose AM (150mg/kg) has protective effect on apoptosis in mice under treatment with chemotherapy. But High dose of AM (300mg/kg) caused increase cell toxicity of CP.

Achillea millefolium, apoptotic changes, Cyclophosphamide, Annexin V, Cell toxic