Paeonol Attenuates Methotrexate-Induced Cardiac Toxicity in Rats by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Suppressing TLR4-Induced NF-κB Inflammatory Pathway

Figure 1

Effect of paeonol on histopathological changes in methotrexate- (MTX-) induced cardiac toxicity in rats. (a) Control group showing branched striated cardiac muscle fibers with acidophilic cytoplasm and central, vesicular, and oval nuclei (arrows). Notice the blood capillaries between the muscle fibers (C). (b1 and b2) MTX-treated group showing area of widely separated and fragmented necrotic cardiac muscle fibers (), congestion (C), and hemorrhage (H). Notice apoptotic muscle fibers, some with hyperacidophilic cytoplasm and pyknotic nuclei (arrows), others showing fragmented nuclei (arrowheads). (c) Paeonol+MTX group showing cardiac muscle fibers that appear more or less normal. Notice dilated congested blood capillaries (C) between the cardiac muscle fibers and area of hemorrhage (H).