The protective effect of Mentha spicata ethanolic extract on irinotecan-induced mucositis in mice

Abstract

Irinotecan induced-mucositis is an inflammatory event of the intestine caused by an increase in the concentration of active metabolite 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38) in the intestine. Irinotecan must first be converted by a carboxylesterase to the active metabolite (SN-38), which is subsequently glucuronidated by the hepatic enzyme to SN38G. The SN-38G is deconjugated in the intestine to SN-38 via β-glucuronidase produced by the intestinal bacterial flora, which accounts for SN-38 delayed intestinal mucositis of irinotecan. The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of mentha ethanolic extract on irinotecan-induced mucositis, intestinal mucositis induced by I.P injection of irinotecan (75mg/Kg/day) for 4 days. Mentha ethanolic extract orally administered to mice for 7 days starting one day before irinotecan dose. Results showed that mentha ethanolic extract significantly decreased both jejunal tissue IL-1β (3.47±1.23 vs. 6.5±0.36 ng/ml), and fecal β-glucuronidase activity (79.78± 10.7 vs. 120.6± 8.3 U) compared to the model control group, also histopathological sections showed improvements in mucositis features in the mentha ethanolic extract treated animals. As a conclusion, Mentha ethanolic extract has a protective effect on irinotecan-induced mucositis.