Romanian Society of Pharmaceutical Sciences
 

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IN VIVO EVALUATION OF THE HEPATOPROTECTIVE, THERAPEUTIC, AND ANTIOXIDANT EFFECTS OF THYMOL IN A CARBON TETRACHLORIDE-INDUCED ACUTE LIVER INJURY MODEL IN FEMALE WISTAR RATS

HANANE KHITHER 1*, SORAYA MADOUI 1, SELMA HOUCHI 1, AMINA SAFSAF 2, ASMA MOSBAH ³

1 Laboratory of Applied Biochemistry, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Ferhat Abbas Sétif 1 University, Sétif, Algeria
2 Pathology Laboratory, Sétif University Hospital, Sétif, Algeria
3 Laboratory of Applied Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University Constantine 1, Constantine, Algeria

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This study evaluated the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of thymol in female Wistar albino rats using a carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver injury model. Rats were treated for seven days with thymol at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day under both preventive and curative regimens. CCl₄ administration induced marked hepatic damage, characterized by elevated liver enzymes, altered lipid profiles, and increased oxidative stress. Thymol treatment markedly attenuated CCl₄- induced liver injury, as evidenced by improved hepatic biochemical parameters, normalization of lipid metabolism, and enhanced antioxidant defense mechanisms. The protective and curative effects were dose-dependent, with the higher dose showing superior efficacy. Overall, thymol reduced lipid peroxidation and strengthened endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities. These findings demonstrate that thymol exhibits significant hepatoprotective, therapeutic, and antioxidant properties in experimental models of liver toxicity, supporting its potential therapeutic application in chemically induced hepatic disorders.