Antioxidant potential and hepatoprotective activity of Origanum majorana leaves extract against oxidative damage and hepatotoxicity induced by pirimiphos-Methyl in male mice

Abstract

The present experiment was designed to evaluate the oxidative damage and hepatotoxicity resulting from Pirimiphos-Methyl (PM) exposure as well as the hepatoprotective potential of Origanum majorana L. leaves extract in male mice. The results revealed that Majorana leaves extract exhibited antioxidant capacity manifested by inhibitory effects on DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl radical and reducing power in vitro. Male mice were divided into six groups of six mice each: Control group (I) extract groups (II and III) received an extract at doses of 150 and 300 mg kg-1 b.wt.; PM group (IV) received PM (12.0 mg kg-1 b.wt., 1/10 LD50) in com oil; groups (V and VI) received PM along with the two doses of extracts. All the applications were administered via oral route for 28 consecutive days. Exposure of mice to PM caused significant changes in body and relative liver weights as well as significant increases in the activity of serum enzymes alanine aminotransferases (ALT), aspartate aminotransferases (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Also, PM induced significant decreases in the activities of hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and in the content of glutathione reduced (GSH), however, induced a significant increase in the level of hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) accompanied by histopathological alterations in liver of male mice. Co-administration of O. majorana extract to PM ameliorated the above-mentioned parameters. The ultimate effect was achieved by the highest dose of the extract. It could be concluded that PM induced oxidative damage and liver injury in male mice. However, co-administration of O. majorana leaves extract attenuated the harmful effects of PM which may be attributed to its antioxidant potential. Results indicated that O. majorana leaves could be used for therapeutic option against hepatic injuries resulting from pesticide intoxication.