Abstract

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Marjorana hortensis plant in CCl4-intoxicated rats

Author(s): Nehal A.Afifi, Shimaa R.Emam, Mostafa A.Shalaby, Hosney A.El-Banna

The plant phenol compounds such as flavonoids and isoflavonids have an important role in the treatment of many diseases and some of them induce a potent hepatoprotective effect. The present study aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of Marjorana hortensis (Marjoram) in a repeated (1 x 60 days) oral doses of 375 and 750 mg kg 1 then compared to control group and silymarin (standard) 100 mg kg 1, orally administered in albino rats for hepatoprotective action.Antioxidant enzymes as SOD, CAT and GSH weremeasured in liver homogenate. In vitro determination of the extract activity was compared to DPPH and measured spectrophotometrically. Oral administration of Marjorana hortensis significantly (P < 0.05) decreased liver enzyme levels when given in repeated doses. The small and large doses increased the antioxidant enzyme. It could be concluded that methanol extract of Marjorana hortensis have a significant hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity.