Effect of Pretreatment With Extract of Origanum vulgare Leaves on Experimental Intestinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats

Background Origanum vulgare is used in traditional medicine for antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Objectives The present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of O. vulgare leaves extract on experimentally induced intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, 24 male Wistar albino rats randomly divided into four groups. Group I/R underwent ischemia-reperfusion of the intestine (45 minutes of ischemia followed by 1 hour of reperfusion). Treatment groups I and II were given O. vulgare extract (200 and 400 ppm) via oral gavages for 1 week before inducing I/R. Group sham was given normal saline orally without inducing I/R. After the experiments, the jejunum was removed and the tissues were processed for histomorphometric examination of mucosa. Results The treatment with O. vulgare extract significantly decreased mucosal damages in the treatment groups compared to group I/R, while severe mucosal damages were observed in the group I/R. Also, there was significant difference between treatment groups I and II (P = 0.054). Group sham observed normal intestinal mucosa. Conclusions According to the results of current study, administration of O. vulgare extract protects the intestinal mucosa from I/R injuries.