Cytogenetic and biochemical competency of chamomile essential oil against γ-rays induced mutagenic effects in mice

Chamomile essential oil (CEO) hauls out from Matricaria chamomilla L., is a well-known anti-oxidant. Oxidative stress induces clastogenic and biochemical disorders after γ-irradiation of animals.
Mice were divided into five groups. Control group received vehicle only. EO-treated group received CEO. Irradiated group received vehicle and exposed to γ-rays. Pre-treated group received CEO ½h before γ-rays exposure. Post-treated group received CEO ½ hour after γ-rays exposure. Peripheral-blood micronucleus (PMN), bone-marrow micronucleus (BMN), frequency of chromosomal aberrations (CAs), reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (PGx) and myeloperoxidase (MPO), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) parameters were assessed.
In irradiated mice group, PMN score, BMN occurrence and CAs were increased when compared with control mice group. In addition, significant increases in levels of liver lipid peroxidation (LP); expressed as MDA and TNF-α. In addition, activities of liver MPO and LDH were found. Besides, significant decreases in content of GSH, activities of SOD and PGx in liver tissues were recognized. CEO treatment (1.0 g/kg body weight) before- and after-irradiation ameliorated all these biochemical indices, as well as cytogenetic alterations induced by γ-rays when compared with irradiated group, indicating that pre- or post-treatment with CEO significantly attenuates the acute hazards caused by γ-rays exposure.
The data suggest that CEO possesses a radioprotective potential against γ-radiation induced cytogenetic and biochemical damages in mice.