The protective action of thymol (paramethyl-isopropyl-phenol) was investiga
ted against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in male Swis
s albino mice. The CCl4 at a dose of 20 mu l kg(-1) produced damage to live
r cells and was followed by the significant increase (P < 0.001) in serum a
lanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and hepatic lipid peroxidation after
24 h. The hepatocellular necrosis was further confirmed by histopathologic
al 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 CCl4 in vivo. The protection offered by thymol was also evident from his
topathology photomicrograph. In a separate in vitro assay, thymol inhibited
the non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation of normal mice liver homogenate induc
ed by Fe3+-ascorbate. The present study suggests that thymol protects the l
iver against CCl4-induced toxicity and the protection may be mediated throu
gh its ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation. However, other interactions b
etween thymol and CCl4 remains to be elucidated. (C) 1999 Academic Press.