Abstract
BackgroundHerbal supplements are widely used in the treatment of various liver disases, but some of them may also induce liver injuries. Regarding the infuence of thyme and its constituents on the liver, conflicting results have been reported in the literature. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of two commonly used pharmaceutical formulations containing thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), tincture and syrup, on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury in rats.MethodsChemical composition of investigated formulations of thyme was determined by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Activities of enzyme markers of hepatocellular damage in serum and antioxidant enzymes in the liver homogenates were measured using the kinetic spectrophotometric methods. Liver morphology was characterized by light microscopy using routine hematoxylin and eosin staining.ResultsThymol was found to be predominant active constituent in both tincture and syrup. Investigated thyme preparations exerted antioxidant effects in liver by preventing carbon tetrachloride-induced increase of lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, co-treatment with thyme preparations reversed the activities of oxidative stress-related enzymes xanthine oxidase, catalase, peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase, towards normal values in the liver. Hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride was reflected by a marked elevation of AST and ALT activities, and histopathologic alterations. Co-administration of thyme tincture resulted in unexpected exacerbation of AST and ALT values in serum, while thyme syrup managed to reduce activites of aminotransferases, in comparison to carbon tetrachloride-treated animals.ConclusionsDespite demonstrated antioxidant activity, mediated through both direct free radical scavenging and activation of antioxidant defense mechanisms, thyme preparations could not ameliorate liver injury in rats. Molecular mechanisms of diverse effects of thyme preparations on chemical-induced hepatotoxicity should be more in-depth investigated.
Highlights
Herbal supplements are widely used in the treatment of various liver disases, but some of them may induce liver injuries
Influence of thyme preparations on CCl4-induced oxidative stress parameters in liver In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of thyme on CCl4-induced liver injury and to explore whether its mechanism of action is associated with modulation of hepatic oxidative status
In the present study, we evaluated antioxidant activity of thyme preparations and their influence on hepatic function using the hepatotoxicity model induced by CCl4
Summary
Herbal supplements are widely used in the treatment of various liver disases, but some of them may induce liver injuries. Regarding the infuence of thyme and its constituents on the liver, conflicting results have been reported in the literature. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of two commonly used pharmaceutical formulations containing thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), tincture and syrup, on carbon tetrachlorideinduced acute liver injury in rats. Herbal medicinal products are increasingly being used and many of them have shown promising potential for the treatment of various diseases. The liver is highly susceptible to drug-induced toxicity due to its significant role primarily in drug metabolism.
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