Antimicrobial and toxicological evaluation of Origanum vulgare: an in vivo study

Abstract

Origanum vulgare has been of great interest in academia and pharma industry due to its antioxidant, antifungal and antitumor properties. The present study aimed to find the anti-MRSA potential and in vivo toxicity assessments of O. vulgare. O. vulgare extract was used to monitor anti-MRSA activity in mice. Following MRSA established infection in mice (Mus musculus), treatment with O. vulgare was continued for 7 days. Autopsies were performed and re-isolation, gross lesion scoring and bacterial load in various organs were measured. Additionally, blood sample was analysed for hematological assays. Toxicity assessment of O. vulgare potential as medicine was done at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg by evaluating liver and kidney functions. Bacterial load and gross lesion in lungs and heart were significantly low compared to positive control following O. vulgare treatment. Likewise, O. vulgare treated groups had hematological, neutrophil and TLC values similar to control groups. Increased AST, ALP and total bilirubin alongwith marked hepatocellular degeneration and distortion around the central vein, inflammatory cell infiltration, and cytoplasmic vacuolization of hepatic cells was observed at higher dose. It is concluded that crude extract of O. vulgare may contain beneficial secondary metabolites and in future may be explored for curing infectious diseases.

Plant-Origin Components: New Players to Combat Antibiotic Resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae

“…In vivo using Swiss albino mice In vivo acute oral toxicity testing did not show any toxic effects [115] Origanum vulgare In vivo using mice Continuous use or high doses may deliver undesirable components causing liver and renal function impairment [157] Thymus vulgaris In vivo using albino Holtzman rats While the 28-day oral toxicity test indicated that the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) was more than 250 mg/kg/day, Thymus vulgaris had moderate oral toxicity.…”