Abstract

Introduction: Thymbra spicata has flavonoid, alkaloid compounds and antioxidant properties. In the current study, the protective effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Thymbra spicata (TS) was investigated on acetaminophen-induced liver toxicity. Materials and Methods: The hydroalcoholic extract of the plant was extracted by Soxhlet extractor. In this experimental study, 150 adult male rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=50). Animals were initially treated with different amounts of TS (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg, gavage) for seven consecutive days, then they were exposed to a toxic dose of acetaminophen (700 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). In the control group 1, distilled water was administered for seven days. In the group 2 (Ace), the rats received distilled water for seven days and the seventh day a toxic dose of acetaminophen was injected with. Twenty-four hours later blood and liver tissue samples were isolated for biochemical and antioxidant factors analysis. Findings: The results showed that AST-ALP-Bili-SOD levels in the treatment groups had a significant difference compared to the control group, but the ALT enzyme in TS with a dose of 300 mg/kg did not have significant difference with the control group but in the another treatment group it had a significant difference, which indicates that the positive effect of Thymbra spicata has a better effect with increasing plant dose. Conclusion: The results indicate that hydroalcoholic extract of Thymbra spicata has a protective role in the improvement of acute liver toxicity induced by acetaminophen.