Effects of standardized Zataria multiflora extract and its major ingredient, Carvacrol, on Adriamycin-induced hepatotoxicity in rat

At a glance commentaryScientific background on the subjectSince Adriamycin is used as an anticancer drug among various communities and is one of its side-effects, it is important to find a way to prevent this complication. Of these, medicinal plants such as Zataria multiflora can be important in preventing the complications.What this study adds to the fieldThis study shows that carvacrol has a stronger effect on the liver antioxidant system as well as hepatic enzymes activity than the whole plant extract, and then carvacrol can be more helpful than whole plant in the treatment of hepatic damage caused by Adriamycin.Due to antioxidant effects of Zataria multiflora (ZM) and Carvacrol (CAR) in many cases and the prominent role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in hepatotoxicity induced by Adriamycin (ADR), the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of ZM and CAR on ADR-induced hepatotoxicity. Scientific background on the subject Since Adriamycin is used as an anticancer drug among various communities and is one of its side-effects, it is important to find a way to prevent this complication. Of these, medicinal plants such as Zataria multiflora can be important in preventing the complications. What this study adds to the field This study shows that carvacrol has a stronger effect on the liver antioxidant system as well as hepatic enzymes activity than the whole plant extract, and then carvacrol can be more helpful than whole plant in the treatment of hepatic damage caused by Adriamycin. Twenty four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups including: 1)Control, 2)Adriamycin (ADR), 3,4) ZM + ADR and CAR + ADR that received ZM and CAR for 28 consecutive days. Blood samples were collected on the days 0, 14 and 28 to determine the alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Also, the hepatic redox markers were evaluated. ADR significantly increased ALP, ALT and AST in comparison with the control (p < 0.05 - p < 0.001). In CAR + ADR group, the serum ALP, ALT and AST were significantly reduced compared to those of the ADR group (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001). Also, in ZM + ADR group, serum ALP and ALT compared to ADR was significantly reduced (p < 0.001). MDA level in the ADR group significantly increased compared to control (p < 0.01). The MDA level in ZM + ADR (p < 0.05) and CAR + ADR (p < 0.01) groups were significantly reduced compared to that of ADR. Thiol levels in ZM + ADR group significantly increased compared to the ADR group (p < 0.05). The activities of CAT in the ADR group was significantly reduced compared to control (p < 0.05) and increased in treatment groups in comparison with the ADR (p < 0.01). Long-term administration of ZM extract and CAR could reduce the oxidative damage in the rat liver induced by ADR through the strengthening of the antioxidant system.