Antioxidant and Hepatotoxicity Ameliorative Potential of Mentha canadensis Leaves Against Paracetamol-Induced Hepatic Damage in Mice.

Mentha canadensis (wild Mint), a member of the Lamiaceae family, is traditionally used in herbal medicine, teas, and as a food additive in various regions, including Bangladesh. This research is designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of M. canadensis leaf methanolic extract (MCLME) along with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. The in vitro antioxidant potential was evaluated through free radical scavenging assays such as ABTS and DPPH, as well as by a lipid peroxidation test. The anti-inflammatory property of MCLME was examined using albumin denaturation and RBC membrane stabilization assays. Furthermore, qualitative and quantitative analyses of phytochemicals were carried out to investigate the basis of its therapeutic activity. A paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity Swiss-albino mice model was used to assess the hepatoprotective activity of MCLME. Phytochemical analysis of MCLME confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, coumarins, saponins, and steroids, which may attribute to the extract's bioactivity. The extract also exhibited notable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. In a paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity mouse model, treatment with MCLME showed a significant (p < 0.0001) reduction of elevated serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, and pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6. Also, histopathological analysis further confirmed the protective effects of MCLME on hepatic architecture. Additionally, MCLME restored the levels of hepatic glutathione (GSH), the key endogenous antioxidant, in treated mice. The hepatoprotective effects of the extract are comparable with the standard hepatoprotective agent, Silymarin (50 mg/kg body weight). Altogether, our findings indicate that M. canadensis demonstrates significant hepatoprotective, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory characteristics, potentially serving as a natural alternative therapeutic agent for liver injury.