The protective action of thymol against carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity in mice.
The protective action of thymol (paramethyl-isopropyl-phenol) was investigated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced hepatotoxicity in male Swiss albino mice. The CCl(4)at a dose of 20 microl kg(-1)produced damage to liver cells and was followed by the significant increase (P<0.001) in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and hepatic lipid peroxidation after 24 h. The hepatocellular necrosis was further confirmed by histopathological examination of liver section. Oral administration of thymol in a single dose (300 mg kg(-1)) resulted in significant (P<0.05) amelioration of CCl(4)-induced hepatotoxicity. Thymol also inhibited lipid peroxidation induced by CCl(4)in vivo. The protection offered by thymol was also evident from histopathology photomicrograph. In a separate in vitro assay, thymol inhibited the non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation of normal mice liver homogenate induced by Fe(3+)-ascorbate. The present study suggests that thymol protects the liver against CCl(4)-induced toxicity and the protection may be mediated through its ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation. However, other interactions between thymol and CCl(4)remains to be elucidated. 1999 Academic Press.
Alam
K
K
Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.
Nagi
M N
MN
Badary
O A
OA
Al-Shabanah
O A
OA
Al-Rikabi
A C
AC
Al-Bekairi
A M
AM
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D002084:Butylated Hydroxytoluene / Q000494:pharmacology; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride / Q000633:toxicity*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D013943:Thymol / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D002084:Butylated Hydroxytoluene; D013943:Thymol; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D000410:Alanine Transaminase