Oregano essential oil decreased susceptibility to oxidative stress-induced dysfunction of intestinal epithelial barrier in rats

Abstract The protective effects of oregano essential oils (OEO) against oxidative stress in intestine of rats were investigated. The results showed that rats orally treated with 5 or 20 mg/kg BW with OEO abolished diquat-induced oxidative stress in jejunum, thereby maintaining jejunal architecture. The protective effect of OEO might cause modification of selected intestinal microbiota, inhibition of inflammatory cytokine expression and subsequent increased occludin expression in jejunum by enhancement of antioxidative capacity. These results revealed that OEO exerted a protective effect against diquat-induced oxidative injury in intestine of rats.