In vitro scolicidal effect of Satureja khuzistanica(Jamzad)essential oil

Objective:To investigate the scolicidal effect of the Satureja khuzistanica(S.khusistanica) essential oil from aerial parts of this herbal plant.Methods:The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation method.Gas chromatography(GC) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry(GC-MS) were employed to determine the chemical composition of the essential oil.Protoscolices were collected aseptically from sheep livers containing hydatid cyst.Protoscolices were exposed to various concentrations of the oil(3,5 and 10 mg/mL) for 10,20,30,and 60 min.Viability of protoscolices was confirmed by 0.1%eosin staining.Results:A total of 19 compounds representing 97.6%of the total oil,were identified.Carvacrol(94.9%) was found to be the major essential oil constituent.Scolicidal activity of S.khuzistanica essential oil at concentration of 3 mg/mL was 28.58,32.71,37.20 and 42.02%,respectively.This essential oil at concentration of 5 mg/ mL killed 51.33,66.68,81.12,and 100%.of protoscolices after 10,20,30 and 60 min,respectively. One hundred scolicidal effect was observed with S.khuzistanica essenlial oil at the concentration of 10 mg/mL after 10 min(comparing with 7.19%for control group).Conclusions:The essenlial oil of S.khuzistanica is rich in carvacrol and may be used as a natural scolicidal agent.

Amelioration of altered antioxidant enzyme activity by Satureja khuzistanica essential oil in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

AIM: To examine the possible protective effect of Satureja khuzistanica essential oil(SKE) on antioxidant enzyme activity in alloxan-induced Type 1 diabetic rats. METHOD: Thirty Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into three groups randomly; group one as control, group two diabetic, with no treatment, and group three treatment with SKE at 500 ppm in drinking water, respectively. Diabetes was induced in the second and third groups by alloxan injection subcutaneously. After eight weeks, animals were anaesthetized. Blood samples were also collected before killing to measure antioxidant enzymes activity. RESULTS: SKE significantly increased the serum level of glutathione and the serum activity of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in the treated group compared with the diabetic untreated group. CONCLUSION: The findings showed that SKE exerts beneficial effects on the antioxidant enzymes activity in alloxan-induced Type 1 diabetic rats.