The protective action of thymol against carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity in mice

The protective action of thymol (paramethyl-isopropyl-phenol) was investigated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in male Swiss albino mice. The CCl4 at a dose of 20 mu l 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 CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. Thymol also inhibited lipid peroxidation induced by CCl4 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 Fe3+-ascorbate. The present study suggests that thymol protects the liver against CCl4-induced toxicity and the protection may be mediated through its ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation. However, other interactions between thymol and CCl4 remains to be elucidated. (C) 1999 Academic Press.