Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Artemisia dracunculus L. (Tarragon) on the Levels of Serum Proteins in Small Laboratory Mice

Background and Objectives: Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) is a plant, which has nutritional and therapeutic uses for years. In traditional medicine, this plant has been used for relief of indigestion, detoxification of the body, treatment of insomnia, improvement of liver function, and antibacterial properties. As blood plasma proteins have important role in maintaining the body homeostasis, this study was performed to determine the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of tarragon on the levels of serum proteins in mice. Methods: In this experimental research, 40 mature male mice (weight, 30±5g) were used. The animals were divided into five groups od 8 each: Group 1, control; group 2, placebo; and groups 3,4, and 5 intraperitoneally received the plant extract at doses of 50, 100, and 200mg/kg bw for 20 days. At the end, blood samples were collected, and serum protein levels, such as albumin, alpha-1 globulin, alpha-2 globulin, beta globulin, gamma globulin, total protein, and albumin to globulin ratio, were measured. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Duncan statistical tests at the significance level of p≤0.05. Results: The albumin concentration at dose of 200mg/kg, beta globulin at doses of 50, 100, and 200mg/kg doses, gamma globulin at dose of 50mg/kg, total protein at doses of 100 and 200mg/kg, had significant decrease compared to the control group (p≤0.05). The albumin to globulin ratio showed a significant increase at the dose of 50 and 100mg/kg and a significant decrease at the dose of 200mg/kg compared to the control group (p≤0.05). Conclusion: According to the findings, the hydroalcoholic extract of tarragon decreases the levels of the mentioned serum proteins.