Black cumin seeds decreased Methotrexate hepatotoxicity and improved survival in children with ALL - GreenMedInfo Summary
Therapeutic value of Black seed oil in Methotrexate Hepatotoxicity in Egyptian Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Infect Disord Drug Targets. 2015 Mar 20. Epub 2015 Mar 20. PMID: 25809628
Adel A Hagag
BACKGROUND: 'Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common childhood malignancies'. Adding methotrexate to treatment protocols increased survival rate in children with leukemia. Methotrexate efficacy is limited by its hepatotoxicity. 'Aim of the study: To assess' the therapeutic value of Black seed oil in 'methotrexate induced hepatotoxicity in Egyptian children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia '. 'Subjects and methods: This study was conducted on 40 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia' including 20 patients under methotrexate therapy and Black seeds 80mg/kg/day for one week after each methotrexate dose (Group II) and 20 patients under methotrexate and placebo (Group III).This study included also '20 healthy children as a control group' (Group I). All patients were subjected to complete blood picture, bone marrow aspiration and liver functions.
RESULTS: No significant differences in liver functions between group II and III before therapy. There were non-significant increase in liver functions in group II after therapy but there was significant increase in group III with significant difference between group II and III after therapy. There were significant differences in prognosis regarding remission, relapse, death and 'disease free survival but no significant difference in overall survival between group II and III'.
CONCLUSION: Black cumin seeds decreased MTX hepatotoxicity and improved survival in children with ALL and can be recommended as adjuvant drug in patients with ALL under methotrexate therapy.