ANTIOXIDANT AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF ORIGANUM MAJORANA IN CCL4- INDUCED LIVER INJURY IN RATS

Objective: The present study was aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of methanolic extract of Origanum majorana aerial parts against CCl₄ induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: Wistar rats (150-200 g) were divided into five groups each group containing six rats. Group A treated as normal control receives 1% v/v tween-80, p.o for 14 days. Group B received 0.1ml/kg of CCl₄ i.p for 10 days which is treated as an experimental control. Group C receives 100 mg/kg of silymarin for 14 days which is treated as standard. Group D and E treated as tests t₁ and t₂ which receives a methanolic extract of Origanum majorana aerial parts of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg for 14 days respectively. Group C, D, and E were intoxicated with CCl₄ (0.1ml/kg i.p) for 10 days 1 h before administration of silymarin and extract. Antioxidant effect of methanolic extract of Origanum majorana was also evaluated by in-vitro antioxidant parameters like hydroxyl and superoxide radicals scavenging activities. The hepatoprotective effect was evaluated by the assessment of biochemical parameters such as SGPT, SGOT, ALP, bilirubin and serum total protein levels and histopathological studies of the liver. Results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparison tests. Results: Treatment of animals with methanolic extract of Origanum majorana in doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg significantly altered the CCl₄ induced changes in the serum and tissue enzyme levels to near normal values. It also improved the liver histopathology profile. And also the extract has hydroxyl and superoxide radical scavenging activities, and their IC₅₀ values were found to be 133.33 µg/ml and 245.09 µg/ml. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that the methanolic extract of Origanum majorana aerial parts possesses hepatoprotective activity against CCl₄ induced hepatotoxicity in rats due to the extract is having antioxidant activity.