Veterinary Research Forum

Abstract Micromeria congesta (MC) is a medicinal plant traditionally used in the Şanlıurfa, Adıyaman, and Gaziantep provinces of Türkiye for treating respiratory disorders. Despite its ethnobotanical relevance, its pharmacological effects on lung inflammation remain unclear. This study evaluated the protective effects of MC essential oil (MCEO) against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury in rats, with a focus on inflammation and tissue damage. The MC was collected from its natural habitat, and its EO was extracted by hydro-distillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus. The Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed 28 compounds, with piperitenone oxide (33.97%) and pulegone (22.30%) as the main constituents. Thirty-six Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned into six groups, including three MCEO-treated (12.50, 25.00, and 50.00 mg kg^-1), dexamethasone, LPS-only, and control groups. The MCEO was administered by gavage for seven days, followed by intra-venous LPS on day eight (except for the control group). Blood and lung tissues were collected 6 hr later for biochemical, histopathological, and molecular analyses. The MCEO treatment significantly lowered blood glucose and urea levels compared to the LPS group. It also modulated NLRP3, caspase-3, and tumor necrosis factor alpha genes expressions, as determined by RT-PCR analysis, indicating anti-inflammatory effects. Histopathological findings confirmed a dose-dependent reduction in lung inflammation and tissue damage. The MCEO administration alleviated LPS-induced acute lung injury in rats through anti-inflammatory and protective effects, as confirmed by molecular (NLRP3, caspase-3, and tumor necrosis factor alpha) and histopathological analyses. Additionally, MCEO reduced blood glucose and urea levels, supporting its systemic protective role against endotoxin-induced inflammation.

Abstract At the present time cancer is one of the biggest health problems and because of the problems encountered in its treatment, alternative treatment methods of herbal origin are researched. In this study, the cytotoxic effects of the essential oil extracted from the Micromeria congesta plant on various cancer cells (A549, ECC-1, HCT-116, HELA, HGC-27, MDA-MB-231, SNU-423, U20S, DLD-1, PC-3) and normal cells (BEAS-2B, CRL-4010) have been examined. Anticancer mechanism of action has been particularly examined on gastric cancer (HGC-27; IC50: 15.84 µg mL^-1), on which essential oil showed a high cytotoxic effect. In the study, the cytotoxic effect and the apoptotic effect have been applied by MTT and flow cytometric annexin-V methods, respectively. The apoptotic gene expression (caspase 3, caspase 9, MMP2, MMP9, ACTB) real-time PCR content analysis has been performed with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). M. congesta essentials oil has the highest cytotoxic effect on gastric cancer (HGC-27) cells, decreases MMP2 and MMP9 expressions, and induces apoptosis with increasing the expression of caspase 3 and caspase 8 genes. In addition, it has been determined that piperitenone oxide (40.00 - 45.00%), pulegone (11.00%) and cyclohexanone (18.00 - 19.00%) are the major components of M. congesta essentials oil. In conclusion, it has been determined that the compounds found in high amounts in M. congesta plant induces apoptosis by affecting the expression of compound genes and thus can have the potential to be an alternative drug in the treatment of gastric cancer.