Investigation of the effect of carvacrol against bisphenol a-induced oxidative stress in rats

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a compound that is frequently exposed in daily life and found to be very common in the environment. BPA is an endocrine-disrupting chemical that is very common in human exposure. The negative effects of the inappropriate use of this substance on ecosystem and public health were issued in many studies. This study aimed to investigate the possible protective effect of carvacrol in rats exposed to oxidative stress caused by BPA. A total of 42 Wistar Albino rats were employed in the study. The working period lasted 30 days. BPA and carvacrol were given to the experimental animals by gastric gavage. Group 1 was served as the negative control group. The second group was served as the fat group. Group 3 was determined as the positive control group. Groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 were given 25 mg/kg BPA once a day. In addition, 12.5 , 25 and 50 mg/kg carvacrol were given once a day to groups 4.5 and 6, respectively. Oxidative stress parameters (SOD and CAT activity levels, MDA and GSH levels) pathological analyzes and molecular analyzes (IFN-γ, NFκB and TNF-α proinflammatory genes) were performed in the obtained tissues. With BPA application, the activity levels of antioxidant enzymes and glutathione levels decreased, while lipid peroxidation levels increased. Histopathological alterations in tissues and increased expression levels of proinflammatory genes were observed. It was shown that the administration of carvacrol reversed these negative effects. Consequently, it was determined that carvacrol has a protective effect as a natural antioxidant against oxidative stress caused by BPA.