Protective Effects of Hydroalcoholic Leaf Extract of Origanum Vulgare against Paraquat-induced Lung Toxicity in Rats: The Role of the Inflammation-related Markers and Oxidative Stress

Background: The pesticide paraquat is hazardous to both humans and animals. Lung damage is a common complication of paraquat poisoning. Objective: This research analyzes the preventive properties of Origanum vulgare leaf extract against paraquat-induced acute pulmonary toxicity and oxidative stress. Methods: In this experiment, the rats were assigned to five distinct groups. Group 1 served as the control, group 2 got only 25 mg/kg bw paraquat, and groups 3, 4, and 5 received paraquat and Origanum vulgare leaf extract at dosages of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg bw, respectively. In rats, inflammation-related indicators and oxidative stress were analyzed after therapy. Results: Compared with the control group, the levels of the serum PC, MDA, and inflammatory markers such as TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1 beta remarkably rose (p < 0.05) and the pulmonary contents of the SOD, CAT, and vitamin C greatly decreased (p < 0.05) in the paraquat-only group. Origanum vulgare leaf extract administration after paraquat exposure resulted in a substantial increase in lung SOD, CAT, and vitamin C levels as well as a significant reduction in MDA, PC, and lung inflammatory markers (TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1 beta) gene expression relative to the paraquat-only group. Conclusion: Origanum vulgare leaf extract might be supplied to lessen the toxicity of paraquat, based on the findings of this research, which indicated that Origanum vulgare leaf extract has antioxidant-enhancing properties and can improve the antioxidant defense system.