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.