Abstract
Recent years have shown considerable efforts to identify new chemopreventive agents that could be of clinical value. In the current study, modulatory effect of Nardostachys jatamansi. (Jones) DC on benzoyl peroxide–induced oxidative stress, toxicity, and ear edema is investigated. Pretreatment with jatamansi at doses of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg body weight in acetone prior to the application of benzoyl peroxide (20 mg/animal per 0.2 ml acetone) resulted in significant inhibition of benzoyl peroxide–induced cutaneous oxidative stress, toxicity, and ear edema in a dose-dependent manner. The cutaneous microsomal membrane lipid peroxidation and xanthine oxidase activities were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). Moreover, the depleted levels of phase II metabolizing enzymes and glutathione were recovered significantly (p < 0.05). Our findings suggest that N. jatamansi. is an effective chemopreventive agent in mouse skin with potential of ameliorating benzoyl peroxide–induced cutaneous oxidative stress, toxicity, and ear edema.