Determination of hepatoprotective and antioxidant role of thyme (Origanum onites L.) infusion against ethyl alcohol induced oxidative stress in rats

In this study, we aimed to determine the hepatoprotective and antioxidants role of thyme (Origanum onites L.) against ethyl alcohol (EtOH) induced oxidative stress in rats. Rats were divided into 4 groups with 7 rats in each and conducted as contro, 20% EtOH, 3% O. onites infusion and 3% O. onites + 20% EtOH groups. The hepatoprotective and antioxidant role of O. onites infusion supplementation was evaluated as liver damage biomarkers, antioxidant constituents and malondialdehyde. The obtained results, while there was a significant increase in the AST and ALT levels of 20% EtOH group in comparison with the control group and a significant decrease in the TP and TC content of 20% EtOH group according to control group. The 3% O. onites + 20% EtOH mixture infusion group caused a significant decrease in the AST levels in comparison with the 20% EtOH group whereas, a significant increase in the TP and TC content of 3% O. onites infusion + 20% EtOH group in comparison with the 20% EtOH group. Also, while EtOH significantly increased MDA contents in the liver, kidney and erythrocyte tissues in comparison to those of control. The O. onites Infusion supplemented groups significantly decreased MDA contents in all tissues comparison to those of 20% EtOH group. Furthermore, while EtOH caused fluctuations in the antioxidant defence system levels as a result of oxidative stress condition in rats. The definitive curative effects of the O. onites infusion on these fluctuations have not been determined. As a result, it was concluded that O. onites contents may have a hepatoprotective and antioxidant role against EtOH induced oxidative stress in rats.