Effect of carvacrol on hepatic marker enzymes and antioxidant status in D-galactosamine-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2009 Dec;23(6):757-65. doi: 10.1111/j.1472-8206.2009.00721.x. Epub 2009 Jul 24.

Abstract

Carvacrol (2-methyl-5-(1-methylethyl)-phenol) is a predominant monoterpenic phenol which occurs in many essential oils of the family Labiatae including Origanum, Satureja, Thymbra, Thymus, and Corydothymus species. This study was designed to investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of carvacrol on D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative damage in male albino Wistar rats. D-GalN hepatotoxic rats exhibited elevation in the activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and lipidperoxidative markers such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and lipid hydroperoxides. Activities of enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) and the levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, and reduced glutathione) in the plasma, erythrocytes, liver, and kidney decreased in the hepatotoxic rats. Oral administration of carvacrol for 21 days brought these parameters towards normal. The biochemical observations were supported by histological studies of rat liver and kidney tissues. These results suggest that carvacrol could afford a significant hepatoprotective and antioxidant effect against D-GalN-induced rats.

MeSH terms

  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Alkaline Phosphatase / blood
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / blood
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / drug therapy*
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / metabolism
  • Cymenes
  • Galactosamine*
  • Glutathione Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Monoterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Silymarin / pharmacology
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / metabolism
  • gamma-Glutamyltransferase / blood

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Biomarkers
  • Cymenes
  • Monoterpenes
  • Silymarin
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
  • Galactosamine
  • carvacrol
  • Glutathione Peroxidase
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • gamma-Glutamyltransferase
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase
  • Alkaline Phosphatase