Inhibitive property of chamomile against gamma-rays induced neurodegenerative disorders in mice

Chamomile is a supplementary food all over the world. The chamomile inhibitive effect on neurodegenerative disorders in γ-irradiated mice was investigated.

Twenty-four mice were divided into 4 groups; control, chamomile-treated, γ-irradiated (8 Gy), and chamomile-treated and irradiated. Brain total thiols, lipid peroxidation (LP), nitric oxide (NO), reduced- and oxidized-glutathiones (GSH & GSSG), protein carbonyl (PC), antioxidant enzymatic activities and acetylcholinesterase (AChEA) were measured. The brain histopathology sections were observed.

A significant increase of levels of total thiols, LP, NO, GSSG, PC and AChEA activity and a decrease of the antioxidant enzymatic activities in the 8 Gy gamma-irradiated group compared to the controls. In chamomile-treated all estimated indices were considerably ameliorated in respect to control standards. Also, the chamomile intake has diminished the histopathological cerebrum alterations such as severe congestion, perivascular oedema, several apoptotic neurons and spongy degenerative changes.

Chamomile may protect the brain from oxidative injury induced by γ-rays through its ability to inhibit LP, replenish the GSH level and antioxidant enzymes activity.