Mentha rotundifolia (L.) Huds. aqueous extract attenuates H2O2 induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity
Khadija Boualam, Nezha Bouhaddou, Mansour Sobeh, Mohamed Tabyaouı, Khalid Taghzouti
Abstract
Introduction Oxidative stress plays a causal role in neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of Mentha rotundifolia (L.) Huds ( M. rotundifolia ), a widely used Moroccan plant in traditional medicine. Methods The chemical composition of M. rotundifolia aqueous extract was analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS). 2,2-diphenyl 1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS + ) assays were used to assess its in vitro antioxidant activity. H 2 O 2 was utilized to induce oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in vivo . Behavioral changes were evaluated using Open Field, Y-maze and Rotarod tests. Hyperalgesia was assessed using the tail immersion test. Results and discussion The LC-MS/MS analysis revealed high content of kaempferol glucuronide (85%) at the extract. IC 50 values of the DPPH and ABTS were 26.47 and 41.21 μg/mL, respectively. Pre-treatments with M. rotundifolia extract attenuated the behavioral changes induced by H 2 O 2 . In addition, the latency of tail withdrawal increased significantly in the treated groups suggesting central analgesic effect of M. rotundifolia extract. Moreover, the extract attenuated the deleterious effects of H 2 O 2 and improved all liver biomarkers. The obtained results suggested that M. rotundifolia had remarkable antioxidant and neuroprotective effects and may prevent oxidative stress related disorders.