Authors : Safieh Golkhani, Mehrdad Modaresi and Mehran Majlesi
Abstract: Balm (Melissa officinalis) is a fragrant plant from Laminacea family which has many medical properties including relaxing, anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of hydro alcoholic extract of balm on activity of liver enzymes including AST, ALT and ALP and also liver tissues variation in Balb/C mice. Samples were randomly divided into five groups (three treatment groups, placebo and control group) with eight members in each group. Groups were kept under similar conditions. Hydro alcholic extract was prepared in three doses (50,100 and 200 mg kg-1) and were IP for 20 days. Normal saline was used for placebo group. After the last injection blood samples were taken and liver tissues were separated. Changes of AST, ALT and ALP enzymes was evaluated using one way variance analysis and SPSS program (p<0.05). Tissue changes of liver were studied using coloring with H&E technique. According to results, ALT and ALP enzyme was increased (p<0.05) in 200 mg kg-1 dose. Hepatocytes number and histology of liver didn’t show significant variations. On the whole, hydro alcoholic extract of balm could have conservative effects via reducing ALT and ALP enzymes and no harmful effects on liver tissue. So, it can play an important role in preventing and curing diseases in traditional and also current medicine.
Safieh Golkhani, Mehrdad Modaresi and Mehran Majlesi, 2013. The Effect of Balm's Hydro Alcoholic Extract on Activity of Liver Enzymes and Liver Tissue. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, 8: 435-438.