Study of Mentha piperita against gamma radiation in mice

Abstract

Pallavi Kaushik, Megha Mathur, Neha Rawat, Tanushree Saxena,Sanjoli Mobar, Punar Dutt Meena

The aim of this study is to analyze the potential hepatoprotective efficacy of alcoholic extract of Mentha piperita (Linn) against radiation-induced liver injury in Swiss albino mice after whole body irradiation in terms of histopathological lesions and levels of lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione in liver tissue. M.piperita leaves were extracted in 50% ethanol and administered at the dose of 100 mg/kg b.wt/day for three consecutive days before whole body irradiation (6, 8 and 10 Gy). The extract provided significant hepatoprotection against different doses of radiation in terms of higher number of normal hepatocyte count, lower abnormal hepatocyte count and lower binucleated cell population along with other radiolesions as compared to irradiation alone group. The optimum dose of 100 mg/kg b.wt/day for three consecutive days also arrested decline in the level of reduced glutathione and elevation in lipid peroxidation significantly at autopsy intervals of 1, 3, 7, 14 and 30 days post-irradiation (6 and 8 Gy). The results of this study confirmed the hepatoprotective potential of M.piperita leaves alcoholic extract in controlling the development of radiolesions and number of abnormal hepatocytes in liver. This protection can be attributed to the antioxidant and antiperoxidant properties of Mentha piperita.