Protective effects of Mentha spicata against nicotine-induced toxicity in liver and erythrocytes of wistar rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of Mentha spicata supplementation against nicotine-induced oxidative damage in the liver and erythrocytes of wistar rats. Bioactive substances were determined by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Animals were divided into four groups of six rats each: a normal control group, a nicotine-treated group (1 mg/kg), a group receiving M. spicata extract (100 mg/kg), and a group receiving both M. spicata extract (100 mg/kg) and nicotine (1 mg/kg). Many phenolic acids were identified in the M. spicata aqueous extract. After 2 months treatment, nicotine induced an increase in the level of white blood cells and a marked decrease in erythrocytes, hemoglobin and haematocrit. Aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase activities were also found to be higher in nicotine-treated group than those of the control one. Furthermore, nicotine-treated rats exhibited oxidative stress, as evidenced by a decrease in antioxidant enzymes activities and an increase in lipid peroxidation level in liver and erythrocytes. Interestingly, the oral administration of M. spicata extract by nicotine-treated rats alleviated such disturbances. M. spicata contained bioactive compounds that possess important antioxidant potential and protected liver and erythrocytes against nicotine-induced damage.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author