Rosemary Extract Protects Against Harmful Effects of Mobile Phone Electromagnetic Radiation

by | Oct 20, 2020 | 2016

Written by Angeline A. De Leon, Staff Writer. Researchers, in a rat model, demonstrated that an extract of rosemary could protect against the damaging effects of electromagnetic radiation from cell phones.                                       

Botanicals - RosemaryThe use of electronic devices has become an integral part of daily life in the 21st century. As such, the level of human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) is greater than ever before, with new research outlining potential health risks, such as increased psychobiological stress, associated with chronic exposure to radiofrequency fields1. A number of studies, for example, have documented increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress in conjunction with exposure to EMF radiation from mobile phones 2,3. Histological research also suggests that extremely low frequency (ELF) EMFs can cause tissue damage in different organs of the body 4. The parotid glands are two major salivary glands that sit in front of each ear and, given their position of direct contact with handheld mobile devices, they appear to be particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of heat and radiation from cellular phones 5. Previous research confirms that EMF exposure indeed causes a significant increase of ROS in the cells lining the ducts of the parotid glands 6. Rosemary is a popular evergreen herb that possesses strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties 7, and though previously studied for its protective effects on the kidney 8, the therapeutic role of rosemary extract against EMF-induced inflammation has not yet been studied. Thus, in a 2016 Act Histochemical, study 9, researchers examined the potential prophylactic effect of rosemary extract on the parotid glands of rats exposed to mobile phone EMFs.

A litter of 40 adult male albino rats were divided into 4 groups: the first group was exposed to EMF radiation (emitted by a commercial GSM cellular phone at 900 MHz frequency) for 4 hours each day for 30 days; a second group was exposed to EMF radiation and treated with aqueous rosemary extract (220 mg/kg body weight) once daily for 30 days; a third group was not exposed to EMF but treated with rosemary extract at the same dosage; and a fourth group was not exposed to EMF at all. Following treatment, animals were anesthetized, and parotid salivary glands were dissected for histological and histochemical analyses. Tissue samples were also tested to evaluate malondialdehyde (MDA, marker of oxidative stress) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC).

Results indicated that whereas the parotid glands of EMF-exposed rats exhibited distinct histological changes (dilated interlobular ducts, congested blood vessels), those of the rosemary-treated rats maintained normal morphology (preserved ducts and healthy connective tissue). Transmission electron microscopy also revealed shrunken acini (sac-like cavities within glands) and reduced density of secretory granules (involved in storage of peptide hormones) in EMF rats, while rats receiving rosemary extract demonstrated normal structure of acini and ducts. Finally, compared to EMF rats, which showed increased oxidative stress after exposure (higher MDA and lower TAC compared to controls, p < 0.0001 for both), rats treated with rosemary extract exhibited lower MDA (4.73 +/- 0.66 nmol/g tissue vs. 7.84 +/- 0.42 nmol/g tissue, respectively) and increased TAC (1.03 +/- 0.17 mmol/l vs. 0.40 +/- 0.08 mmol/l) (p < 0.0001 for both).

In the present study, the hazardous effect of EMF radiation emitted from mobile phones was verified in an experimental rat model. Exposure to non-ionizing EMF was seen to negatively impact the parotid glands of rats by inducing structural changes in connective tissue, acini, and secretory granules and by increasing markers of oxidative stress. In contrast, treatment with rosemary extract appeared to protect parotid glands by preserving morphological integrity and boosting antioxidant activity. Although preliminary findings need to be extrapolated to a human model of EMF exposure, evidence from the current trial sheds light on the critical need to curtail general mobile phone use in day-to-day life.

Source: Ghoneim FM, Arafat EA. Histological and histochemical study of the protective role of rosemary extract against harmful effect of cell phone electromagnetic radiation on parotid glands. Acta Histochemica. 2016; 118: 478-485.

© 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Posted October 20, 2020.

Angeline A. De Leon, MA, graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2010, completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a concentration in neuroscience. She received her master’s degree from The Ohio State University in 2013, where she studied clinical neuroscience within an integrative health program. Her specialized area of research involves the complementary use of neuroimaging and neuropsychology-based methodologies to examine how lifestyle factors, such as physical activity and meditation, can influence brain plasticity and enhance overall connectivity.

References:

  1. Augner C, Hacker GW, Oberfeld G, et al. Effects of exposure to GSM mobile phone base station signals on salivary cortisol, alpha-amylase, and immunoglobulin A. Biomedical and environmental sciences : BES. 2010;23(3):199-207.
  2. Sage C, Carpenter DO. Public health implications of wireless technologies. Pathophysiology. 2009;16(2-3):233-246.
  3. Ozguner F, Altinbas A, Ozaydin M, et al. Mobile phone-induced myocardial oxidative stress: protection by a novel antioxidant agent caffeic acid phenethyl ester. Toxicol Ind Health. 2005;21(9):223-230.
  4. Zare S, Alivandi S, Ebadi A. Histological studies of the low frequency electromagnetic fields effect on liver, testes and kidney in guinea pig. World Applied Sciences Journal. 2007;2(5):509-511.
  5. Bhargava S, Motwani MB, Patni VM. Effect of handheld mobile phone use on parotid gland salivary flow rate and volume. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2012;114(2):200-206.
  6. Wei PF, Ho KY, Ho YP, Wu YM, Yang YH, Tsai CC. The investigation of glutathione peroxidase, lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase and interleukin-1beta in gingival crevicular fluid: implications for oxidative stress in human periodontal diseases. Journal of periodontal research. 2004;39(5):287-293.
  7. Altinier G, Sosa S, Aquino RP, Mencherini T, Della Loggia R, Tubaro A. Characterization of topical antiinflammatory compounds in Rosmarinus officinalis L. J Agric Food Chem. 2007;55(5):1718-1723.
  8. Azab A, Fetouh FA, Albasha MO. Nephro-protective effects of curcumin, rosemary and propolis against gentamicin induced toxicity in guinea pigs: Morphological and biochemical study. American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine. 2014;2(2):28-35.
  9. Ghoneim FM, Arafat EA. Histological and histochemical study of the protective role of rosemary extract against harmful effect of cell phone electromagnetic radiation on the parotid glands. Acta histochemica. 2016;118(5):478-485.