title: Lung inflammation changes and oxidative stress induced by cigarette smoke exposure in guinea pigs affected by Zataria multiflora and its constituent, carvacrol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an epidemic and progressive health problem which is mainly a consequence of cigarette smoking, and associated with lung inflammation. Anti-inflammatory property of Zataria multiflora (Z. multiflora) and its constituent, carvacrol was shown in various inflammatory disorders previously. Therefore, in the present study, the effects of the plant and its constituent, carvacrol, on lung inflammation changes and oxidative stress, in guinea pigs model of COPD were evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine groups of animals including control, COPD, COPD + drinking water containing three concentrations of extract of Z. multiflora (0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 mg/mL), COPD + drinking water containing three concentrations of carvacrol (60, 120, and 240 μg/mL), and COPD + dexamethasone (50 μg/mL) were studied. For inducing COPD, animals were exposed to cigarette smoke for 3 months. Thiol groups, IL-8, total and differential WBC were measured in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) (n = 6 for each group).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total WBC, eosinophils, and neutrophils counts as well as the levels of IL-8 in BALF were significantly increased but thiol group was decreased in COPD compared to the control group (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Total WBC and IL-8 in all treated COPD groups, thiol group, eosinophils and neutrophils counts in treated groups with dexamethasone and two higher concentrations of the Z. multiflora and carvacrol were significantly improved compared to non-treated COPD group (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Lymphocyte count in treated groups with dexamethasone, highest concentration of Z. multiflora, and two higher concentration of carvacrol was also significantly higher than non-treated group (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A preventive effect of Z. multiflora extract and its constituent carvacrol on lung inflammation changes and oxidative stress in animal model of COPD was suggested.
authors.affiliation: Neurogenic Inflammation Research Centre and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. boskabadymh@mums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Mohammad Hossein
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Boskabady
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Research Centre and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Gholamil901@mums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gholami Mahtaj
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000081007:Cymenes; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000378:metabolism; D019686:Lamiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy; D012907:Smoking; D062789:Tobacco Products; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000081007:Cymenes; D016209:Interleukin-8; D039821:Monoterpenes; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D003907:Dexamethasone; C073316:carvacrol