Antigenotoxic Effects of Satureja hortensis L. on Rat Lymphocytes Exposed to Oxidative Stress

The protective properties of Satureja hortensis L. on the rat lymphocytes DNA lesions were tested. Lymphocytes were isolated from blood samples taken from healthy rats. DNA breaks and resistance to $H_{2}O_{2}$-induced damage were measured with the comet assay. Rat lymphocytes were incubated in S. hortensis ethanolic extract (SHE) (0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.5 mg/mL), essential oil (SHEO)(0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.5 ${mu}L/mL$), $H_{2}O_{2}$ (50, 100, and 200 ${\mu}M$), a combination of $H_{2}O_{2}$ (200 mM) with either SHE (1.0, 2.5 mg/mL) or SHEO (1.0, 2.5 ${\mu}L/mL$) at $4^{\circ}C$ for 30 min, and the extent of DNA migration was measured using a single-cell microgel electrophoresis technique under alkaline conditions. Treatment of rat lymphocytes with SHE or SHEO resulted in significant reduction of $H_{2}O_{2}$-induced DNA damage compared to controls. SHE exhibited a significant (P<0.01) inhibitory effect on oxidative DNA damage at 2.5 mg/mL. SHEO (1.0 and 2.5 ${\mu}L/mL$) also showed significant inhibitory effects (P<0.01) on $H_{2}O_{2}$ induced chromosomal damage. In conclusion both the ethanolic extract and the essential oil of the plant reversed the oxidative damage to rat lymphocytes induced by hydrogen peroxide.