Abstract
Myrtus communis L. (MC) family Myrtaceae, is cultivated in Egypt as an ornamental plant. The effects of Myrtus communis extracts on brain oxidative stress and DNA damage after poising of mice with emamectin benzoate (EMB) was investigated. Twenty-four mice were administered orally with EMB at dose 17.6 mg/kg either alone or in combination with Myrtus communis extract at 50 and 100 mg/kg daily for 14 days. Genotoxic potential of EMB in mice brain by using comet assay (single cell gel electrophoresis) and oxidative stress markers as malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), and nitric oxide (NO) levels were assessed in brain tissues, the activity of paraoxonase-1 (PON1), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were also evaluated. The histopathological examination of brain was performed. The results show, EMB not exhibited increase in lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) and nitrite levels only, but also reduced GSH and SOD level in brain tissues, as well as DNA was damaged and the activities of PON1 and AChE were also decreased. Myrtus communis extract induced a significant decrease in malondialdehyde and nitrite levels, while, increase the GSH and SOD in brain tissues of EMB exposed animals (p<0.001). These findings indicate a neuro-protective effect of Myrtus communis treatment against the genotoxicity and oxidative stress of brains induced by EMB.