THE PROPHYLACTIC EFFECT OF AQUEOUS CHAMOMILE EXTRACT ON NITROGEN DIOXIDE EXPOSED MICE

Authors

Mariam Kbaysi, Labib Medical Center, Beirut, LebanonFollow
Ruzanna Petrosyan, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, LebanonFollow
Jamilah Borjac, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Beirut Arab University, Debbieh, LebanonFollow

Keywords

Nitrogen Dioxide, Oxidative stress, Chamomile, Antioxidant, Brain, Liver damage and lung damage

Disciplines

Alternative and Complementary Medicine | Laboratory and Basic Science Research

Abstract

Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) a gaseous air pollutant resulting from industrial activities. It has been associated to various diseases related to oxidative stress and inflammation, including cardiovascular and nervous system disorders. Chamomile is mainly recognized for its high content of antioxidant flavonoids and is extensively utilized in herbal medicine for treating several disorders. The aim of this study is to examen the protective effects of chamomile extract against NO₂-induced damage in female mice. Balb/c mice were divided into four groups: control, chamomile extract, NO₂ derivatives, and NO₂ derivatives combined with chamomile extract. Upon completion of the study, Blood was collected to determine the complete blood count (CBC) and to measure the levels of serum liver enzymes (AST and ALT), creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and glucose. Furthermore, the liver, brain, and lungs were examined histologically. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)and Catalase (CAT) activities were measured in the liver and brain tissue homogenates. NO₂ induced liver injury as confirmed by increase in serum ALT (p < 0.05) and AST levels (p < 0.05), and the increased MDA content (p < 0.05), decreased SOD (p < 0.05) and CAT activities (p < 0.05) in liver tissues, and the histological damage observed. Treatment with the chamomile extract significantly alleviated NO₂-induced liver as evidenced by improvements in both histological and biochemical markers showing reduction in ALT (p < 0.05), AST (p < 0.05), and MDA levels (p < 0.05) and partially enhancing CAT activity (p < 0.05). Elevation in MDA levels (p < 0.05) alongside a reduction in SOD (p < 0.05) and CAT activity (p < 0.05), with no histological changes observed in the brains of NO₂ exposed mice. Treatment with chamomile extract led to decrease in MDA levels (p < 0.05) and increased activities of SOD (p < 0.05) and CAT (p < 0.05) in brain homogenate. Histological examination of the lungs revealed pulmonary injury in the NO₂ exposed mice. This injury was restored with chamomile extract treatment. Furthermore, specific CBC parameters were also affected. Our results prove that chamomile extract provided protective effect against NO₂-induced damage in the liver and lungs, highlighting the importance of considering natural herbs in combating toxicity induced by air pollutants.

Author ORCID Identifier

Mariam Kbaysi www.orcid.org/0009-0007-9624-8818

Ruzanna Petrosyan www.orcid.org/0000-0001-6787-0893

Jamilah Borjac www.orcid.org/0000-0002-7722-5617

Recommended Citation

Kbaysi, Mariam; Petrosyan, Ruzanna; and Borjac, Jamilah (2025) "THE PROPHYLACTIC EFFECT OF AQUEOUS CHAMOMILE EXTRACT ON NITROGEN DIOXIDE EXPOSED MICE," BAU Journal - Science and Technology: Vol. 7: Iss. 1, Article 9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54729/2959-331X.1160

ISSN

2959-331X