Methyl Gallate Mitigates Doxorubicin-Induced Peripheral Cytopenias: A Preclinical Experimental Study

Myelosuppression by doxorubicin is a life-threatening adverse effect in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methyl gallate is an antioxidant found in a variety of plant species. The study aimed to demonstrate the protective role of methyl gallate on doxorubicin-induced cytopenias in Wistar rats. The animals were prophylactically treated with two different doses of methyl gallate (150mg/kg/day and 300mg/kg/day) orally for seven days. Doxorubicin (25mg/kg; single dose) was administered through intraperitoneal route on the seventh day to induce cytopenias. Blood was collected 24 hours after the administration of doxorubicin and complete blood counts were estimated. There was significant (p≤0.05) development of peripheral cytopenias in doxorubicin treated control rats compared to normal saline treated control rats. Methyl gallate at both the doses significantly (p≤0.05) mitigated doxorubicin induced cytopenias compared to doxorubicin treated control rats. The findings of the present study revealed that methyl gallate has protective role in doxorubicin-induced cytopenias in Wistar rats. Following clinical studies, methyl gallate may serve as a viable alternative to growth factors in patients undergoing chemotherapy.