Antioxidant Properties of Teucrium Polium Extract Contribute to Neurochemical and Brain Structural Modulations in Nicotine-Induced Mice

Introduction: Tobacco use is a major global health issue linked to psychiatric illnesses and high mortality rates. Nicotine, the primary compound absorbed during smoking, causes harm to various organs, particularly the brain. The current study examined the modulatory effect of Teucrium polium extract (TPE) on nicotine-induced biochemical and histological changes in the brains of mice.

Methods: Twenty-four mice were divided into four groups and were treated for three weeks. Group one was the control; Group two received 100 mg/kg TPE orally; Group three was subcutaneously injected with 2.5 mg/kg nicotine, and Group four received both nicotine and TPE.

Results: The brain tissue of the nicotine-induced group showed histopathological alterations and oxidative stress as indicated by increased lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide levels concomitant with decreased glutathione content and superoxide dismutase activity. DNA fragmentation was also detected by comet assay. Treatment with TPE significantly decreased oxidative stress and DNA fragmentation while increasing antioxidant biomarkers. Histopathological changes were also diminished.

Conclusion: Through the antioxidant activity of TPE, it protected against nicotine-induced neurotoxicity in mice by impacting oxidative stress, DNA fragmentation, and brain histopathological changes.