Carvacrol ameliorates haematological parameters, oxidant/antioxidant biomarkers and pulmonary function tests in patients with sulphur mustard-induced lung disorders: A randomized double-blind clinical trial.

Abstract

In this study, the effect of carvacrol (CAR) on pulmonary function tests (PFT), haematological indices and oxidant/antioxidant biomarkers in patients with sulphur mustard (SM)-induced lung disorders was examined. Twenty patients exposed to SM 27-30years ago were divided into two groups and treated with either placebo (P) or CAR (1.2mg/kg per day) (n=10 for each group). Forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), total and different white blood cell (WBC), haematological parameters and oxidant/antioxidant biomarkers were measured at the baseline (step 0), one and two months (steps I and II, respectively) after starting the treatment. PEF was significantly increased in the CAR-treated group in step II compared to step 0 (P<.01). Total WBC (P<.01) and neutrophil (P<.05) count in the CAR-treated group were significantly decreased in the group in steps I and II (P<.01 for both cases) compared to step 0. The levels of thiol, superoxide dismutase and catalase in the CAR-treated group were significantly increased (P<.05 to P<.001) in steps I and II, but malondialdehyde significantly decreased in step II compared to step 0 (P<.01). The percentage of total and differential WBC, oxidant/antioxidant biomarkers, FVC and PEF values following a two-month treatment period were significantly improved in the CAR-treated group compared to the placebo group (P<.05 to P<.001). Two-month treatment with CAR reduced inflammatory cells and oxidant biomarkers, whereas increased antioxidant biomarkers and improved PFT tests in SM-exposed patients.