Radioprotective influence of Mentha piperita (Linn) against gamma irradiation in mice: Antioxidant and radical scavenging activity.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the radiomodulatory influence of a leaf extract of Mentha piperita (Linn) on hepatic antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in Swiss albino mice.


METHODS
Animals were given either double distilled water or leaf extract of M. piperita orally (1 g/kg bwt/day) once a day for three consecutive days. Thirty min after the last treatment mice were exposed to 8 Gy of gamma radiation. Mice were autopsied at 30 min post-irradiation. Biochemical parameters were studied to assess the radioprotective effect of leaf extract of M. piperita.


RESULTS
Animals pretreated with leaf extract of M. piperita and exposed to 8.0 Gy gamma radiation showed a significant increase in the activities of reduced glutathione content (p < 0.001), glutathione peroxidase (p < 0.005), glutathione reductase (p < 0.001), glutathione S-transferase (p < 0.005), superoxide dismutase (p < 0.005), and catalase (p < 0.005). Irradiated group pretreated with leaf extract of M. piperita showed significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) formation in liver. The leaf extract of M. piperita showed strong radical scavenging activity in both the 1, 1 diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH*) and 2, 2 azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation (ABTS*+) assays.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the present investigation suggest the antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of leaf extract of M. piperita are the likely mechanism of radiation protection.
Samarth
Ravindra M
RM
Radiation & Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India. rmsamarth@yahoo.co.in
Panwar
Meenakshi
M
Kumar
Madhu
M
Kumar
Ashok
A
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000378:metabolism*; D005720:Gamma Rays; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D036142:Mentha piperita / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation
D000975:Antioxidants; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents