Antigenotoxic effects of Satureja hortensis L on rat lymphocytes exposed to oxidative stress

DNA damage and oxidative stress are widely recognized as major factors in many degenerative diseases and aging [1, 2]. Numerous reports have demonstrated that plant products possess a variety of in vitro antioxidant properties and, that the consumption of food or beverages rich in antioxidant phytochemicals resulted in positive effects on human health and aging process [3]. The protective properties of Satureja hortensis L. on the rat lymphocytes DNA lesions were tested. Lymphocytes were isolated from blood samples taken from healthy rats. DNA breaks and resistance to H₂O₂-induced damage were measured with the comet assay [4]. Rat lymphocytes were incubated in S. hortensis ethanolic extract (SHE) (0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 2.5mg/mL), essential oil (SHEO)(0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 2.5µL/mL), H₂O₂ (50, 100 and 200µM), a combination of H₂O₂ (200 M) with either SHE (1, 2.5mg/mL) or SHEO (1, 2.5µL/mL) at 4 ^oC for 30min, and the extent of DNA migration was measured using a single-cell microgel electrophoresis technique under alkaline conditions. Treatment of rat lymphocytes with SHE or SHEO resulted in significant reduction of H₂O₂-induced DNA damage compared to controls. SHE exhibited a significant (P<0.01) inhibitory effect on oxidative DNA damage at 2.5mg/mL. SHEO (1 and 2.5µL/mL) also showed significant inhibitory effects (P<0.01) on H₂O₂ induced chromosomal damage. In conclusion both the ethanolic extract and the essential oil of the plant were able to reverse the oxidative damage on rat lymphocytes induced by hydrogen peroxide.

Acknowledgements: Financial support from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS) is greatly acknowledged.

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