Hepatoprotective activity of Thymus linearis against paracetamol and carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in albino mice

Abstract

In the present study, the hepatoprotective activity of aqueous and ether extracts of Thymus linearis (250 and 500 mg/kg orally) was evaluated against carbon tetrachloride- and paracetamol-induced hepatic damage in mice. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were assessed. Antioxidant activity of both the extracts was also determined using 1-1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazine (DPPH) scavenging method. The results indicated that both the extracts significantly produce a dose dependent reduction in serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP when compared to carbon tetrachloride- and paracetamol-treated groups. The maximum effect in all the parameters was observed at a dose of 500 mg/kg. The extracts also demonstrated a significant antioxidant activity. LD50 of both extracts was found to be a 1050 and 900 mg/kg respectively. It is conceivable that the hepatoprotective activity of T. linearis might be due to the presence of certain pharmacologically active compounds.