Effects of water extracts of thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) on alcohol abuse.
BACKGROUND
Alcohol abuse has many harmful effects on human body. This study aimed to investigate the role of water extracts of thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) as natural product extracts to detoxify the injuries of alcohol abuse on liver and brain of mice.


METHODS
Alcohol at a dose of 1.25 ml/50 ml water was orally administered at the first day of treatment with continuously increase of 1.25 ml per day to the end of experiment (14 days, 0.1 ml/45 g /d). Mice also were orally administered with alcohol and water extracts of thyme and ginger in concentration of 500 mg /kg body weight for 2 weeks.


RESULTS
The results showed very highly significant increase in nitric oxide and malondialdehyde level in liver and brain and a very highly significant decrease in the total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase activity in alcoholic group. In addition, the liver function enzymes such as L-gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and butyryl cholinesterase activities showed very highly significant increase in alcoholic group. In contrast, the water extracts of thyme and ginger showed significant amelioration on these changes both in liver and brain tissues.


CONCLUSIONS
The water extracts of thyme and ginger has detoxifying and antioxidant effects. Therefore, it is recommended to use them to avoid alcohol toxicity.
Shati
Ali A
AA
Biological Science Department, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia. Shati100@yahoo.com
Elsaid
Fahmy G
FG
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D020939:Zingiber officinale / Q000737:chemistry*; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006519:Hepatitis, Alcoholic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012997:Solvents; D046930:Thymus Plant / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase