ABSTRACT
Origanum majorana L., commonly known in Egypt as "Bardaqoush" was investigated as aqueous extract for its ability to protect liver and kidney cells. 50 mg/100g b.wt. of its aqueous extract for 30 days was found to reduce significantly the blood levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, AST and creatinine in rats. The presented data also revealed its supportive action on the liver and kidney cells. During last two decades the world sight has been directed towards natural medicine, such as herbal therapy. The reason behind this was the discovery of the dangerous side effects of therapeutic chemical agents. Herbal therapy will be especially favoured in the treatment of diseases with a chronic nature as diabetes, hyperlipdemia and some liver or kidney diseases, to reduce the expected side effects of long periods of treatment by chemical agents. Diabetes milletus represents a very difficult health problem as it affects more than 170 million persons around the world; 7 millions of them are Egyptians [Jouad et [1] Eddouk et al.[2]]. Its complications may extend to affect most of the body systems. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to find out the beneficial effect of the herb Origanum majorana in treatment of this disease. Origanum majorana locally known as "Bardaqoush" is a native plant widely distributed throughout Egypt and grown in summer [Boulos,[3]] and is used as a flavouring agent for foods. Its essential oil is used as antioxidant [Botsoglou,[4]] and as antifungal against Candida albicans [Manohar et al.[5]] The alcoholic extracts are used in pharmaceutical, perfumes and cosmetics [Price,[6]]. The objectives of this study was to evaluate the pharmacological effect of Origanum majorana on blood glucose level of both normal and alloxan diabetic rats and to investigate some of its biochemical effects on the liver and kidney of diabetic rats