Original Articles, ANTIOXIDANT ROLE OF MENTHA (MINT) AGAINST CHLOROQUINE INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS IN MALE ALBINO MICE

Abstract

Background: Many drugs, in the world, have been found to induce oxidative stress, when these are given at larger doses or for longer period. Worldwide research work is being carried out to find the antioxidant role of many herbs and plants so that these can be given prophylactically to prevent oxidative damage, done by free radicals.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to determine the antioxidant role of mint against chloroquine induced oxidative stress.

Material and methods: In this randomised controlled study, ninety male albino mice were divided into three groups randomly. Each of the three groups contained 30 mice. Group A was labelled as control group and Group B and C were labelled as experimental groups. Chloroquine (970 mg/kg of body weight) was given orally to the mice of group B, on the 9^th day of the experiment. The mice of group C were given ethanolic extract of mint consecutively for the initial eight days then they were given chloroquine, at the dose of 970 mg/kg of body weight, on the nineth day. The ethanolic extract of mint was then continued to be given from day 10 to day 16 of the experiment.  Blood samples of the mice were obtained on the 17^th day of experiment by intracardiac puncture technique. SPSS version 20 was used to analyze the data.

Results: Highly significant (p=0.000) decrease in serum glutathione peroxidase and highly significant (p=0.000) increase in serum malondialdehyde was observed in mice of group B (whom chloroquine was given) as compared to those of group A. Group C mice, to whom ethanolic extract of mint was given before and after the administration of chloroquine, showed highly significant decrease and highly significant increase in serum levels of malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase respectively.

Conclusion: Chloroquine, when given at dose higher than the therapeutic dose in mice, can induce oxidative stress. Mint has antioxidant potential against chloroquine induced oxidative stress