Effects of Marjoram Volatile Oil and Grape Seed Extract on Ethanol Toxicity in Male Rats

Abstract

Natural dietary antioxidants are extensively studied for their ability to protect cells from miscellaneous damages. Marjoram volatile oil ( Origanum majorana L., Lamiaceae) and grape seed extract ( Vitis vinifera L., Vitaceae) are potent antioxidants. Effects of administration of marjoram volatile oil or grape seed extract on oral administration of ethanol, simultaneously, daily for 10 weeks were studied through determining epididymal spermatozoal analysis, serum testosterone level, weight and histopathological examination of testis, liver and brain. Glutathione level and lipid peroxidation content as malondialdehyde in the testis, liver and brain were measured. The repeated intake of a great amount of ethanol (10 ml/kg body weight, 25% v/v) was followed by fertility disturbances with low sperm count, impaired sperm motility and decrease in serum testosterone level. Moreover, ethanol toxicity induced significant alterations in the histological structures of the testis, liver and brain. The results revealed a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and decrease in the level of glutathione in the testis, liver and brain in the ethanol-treated group. However, co-administration of the extracts of protective plants resulted in minimizing the hazard effects of ethanol toxicity on male fertility, liver and brain tissues. It may be concluded that marjoram volatile oil and grape seed extract are useful herbal remedies, especially for controlling oxidative damages.

Ex vivo assessment of protective effects of carvacrol against DNA lesions induced in primary rat cells by visible light excited methylene blue (VL+MB)

“…Our assumption that carvacrol given to rats in drinking water reaches different rat organs including testes is supported by several findings, e.g. that Origanum majorana L. oil containing carvacrol minimizes hazard effects of ethanol toxicity on male fertility as well as toxic effects of ethanol on liver and brain tissues [25] or that huge molecules of lignin biopolymer could be found by FTIR (fourier-transformed infrared) spectroscopy in lyophylized blood lymphocytes and testicular cells isolated from rats fed lignin enriched food [26].…”

Origanum majoranaEssential Oil Lacks Mutagenic Activity in theSalmonella/Microsome and Micronucleus Assays

“…Origanum majorana L. or Majorana hortensis Moench is an aromatic plant rich in essential oils and commercially grown in southern Europe and in the Mediterranean region [2, 3]. It is popularly known as marjoram and has been used in the form of herbal infusions in folk medicine for asthma, cold, coughs, cramps, depression, dizziness, gastrointestinal disorders, hay fever, headache, toothache, and sinus congestion and as a diuretic and to promote menstruation [2, 3]. …”

Marjoram

“…In terms of effects on human health, El-Ashmawy et al (2007) studied the effects of administration of marjoram volatile oil or grape seed extract on oral administration of ethanol, simultaneously, daily for 10 weeks. Their results revealed a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and decrease in the level of glutathione in the testis, liver and brain in the ethanol-treated group.…”