Investigating the hepatoprotective properties of thymol against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity

Abstract

The current research investigates thymol, a compound known for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, antidiabetic, and analgesic properties, to assess its potential to protect the liver and determine how it might mitigate liver damage induced by paracetamol. For this study, the experimental animals were divided into five different groups, including a vehicle control group, a negative control group with paracetamol-induced liver damage, a positive control group treated with silymarin, and two groups treated with thymol in addition to paracetamol exposure. Liver function tests, histopathological analysis, and assessment of the activities of antioxidant enzymes were performed to assess the hepatoprotective effects of thymol treatment. Results revealed that treatment with thymol significantly restored the liver function markers to their normal values, including serum enzyme levels and lipid profiles, in paracetamol-induced liver damage. The histopathological examination demonstrated enhanced structural integrity of hepatocytes, decreased instances of necrotic cell death, and reduced infiltrated inflammatory cells in the groups treated with thymol. Furthermore, thymol treatment effectively increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) quantities in liver tissues. Overall, these results suggest that thymol has significant protective effects against paracetamol-induced liver toxicity through multiple mechanisms, including restoration of liver function, attenuation of oxidative stress, and preservation of hepatocyte integrity.