Protective Effect of Origanum Majorana Extract Against Gamma Radiation-Induced Damage in Male Rats

Herbal drugs are frequently considered to be less toxic and free from side effects than synthetic ones. This study was carried out to evaluate the role of origanum in modulating the changes induced by gamma radiation in male rats. Origanum Majorana (origanum) was orally administered at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day for 21 days. Irradiated rats received origanum for 7 days before exposure to 7 Gy gamma radiation and received origanum until sacrificed 15 days post-irradiation. Irradiation induced significant increase in alanine and aspartate aminotransferase (AST, ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea, creatinine, uric acid, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glucose levels. The levels of glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed significant decrease. In addition, a decrease in high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and insulin was recorded. Treatment with origanum extract induced significant modulation in liver and kidney functions and lipid profile beside noticeable improvement in the oxidative stress as well as glucose and insulin levels. It could be concluded that origanum modulates irradiation injury and could be considered as a potential phyto medicine.