This work investigated the protective effects of Teucrium polium (T. polium) and vitamin C (Vit C) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in rats. T. polium reduced the Fer reduced antioxidant power (FRAP) (IC50 = 0.89 mg/ml) and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (IC50 = 0.049 µg/ml) than Vit C, FRAP (IC50 = 0.71 mg/ml) and DPPH (IC50 = 0.029 µg/ml). Male albino Wistar rats were divided into six groups: Group I was used as controls, Group II received CCl4 in olive oil (0.5 ml/kg) by gavage, Group III received CCl4 in olive oil (0.5 ml/kg) by gavage after 3 d of receiving T. polium (5 g/l), orally, Group IV received T. polium (5 g/l) alone, by gavage, for 7 d, Group V received CCl4 in olive oil (0.5 ml/kg) by gavage after 3 d of receiving Vit C (250 mg/kg) by gavage and Group VI received Vit C (250 mg/kg) alone by gavage. CCl4 showed an increase of serum hepatic and renal markers aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), urea, and creatinine. Moreover, we noted an increase of lipid peroxidations and a decrease in antioxidants enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) of CCl4 rats compared to controls. The pretreatment with (200 mg/kg) of T. polium and with Vit C (250 mg/kg) by gavage, for 7 d, displayed their ability to protect against oxidative damage and biochemical changes induced by CCl4. Our results were in accordance with histopathological observations.
Keywords: Carbon tetrachloride; oxidative stress; vitamin C.