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

Background: 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. Materials and Methods: Mice were divided into five groups. Control group received vehicle only.                         CEO-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. Results: 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. Conclusion: The data suggest that CEO possesses a radioprotective potential against γ-radiation induced cytogenetic and biochemical damages in mice.