The protective action of thymol against carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity in mice.

The protective action of thymol (paramethyl-isopropyl-phenol) was investigated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced hepatotoxicity in male Swiss albino mice. The CCl(4)at a dose of 20 microl kg(-1)produced damage to liver cells and was followed by the significant increase (P<0.001) in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and hepatic lipid peroxidation after 24 h. The hepatocellular necrosis was further confirmed by histopathological examination of liver section. Oral administration of thymol in a single dose (300 mg kg(-1)) resulted in significant (P<0.05) amelioration of CCl(4)-induced hepatotoxicity. Thymol also inhibited lipid peroxidation induced by CCl(4)in vivo. The protection offered by thymol was also evident from histopathology photomicrograph. In a separate in vitro assay, thymol inhibited the non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation of normal mice liver homogenate induced by Fe(3+)-ascorbate. The present study suggests that thymol protects the liver against CCl(4)-induced toxicity and the protection may be mediated through its ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation. However, other interactions between thymol and CCl(4)remains to be elucidated. 1999 Academic Press. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.