<i>Thymus zygis</i> Oil: Its Effects on CCI₄-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Free Radical Scavenger Activity

Abstract

ABSTRACT The activity of the essential oil of Thymus zygis L. was studied against an experimental model of acute hepatotoxicity induced by CC14, by means of determining die serum levels of both die glutamic pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations. The main components of the oil, as shown by GC and GC/MS are: thymol (74.0%), p-cymene (10.3%), γ-terpinene (1.9%) and carvacrol (4.8%). The scavenger activity of the oil and its components was studied against die free radical diphenyl-pycril-hydrazyl (DPPH). The results revealed that T. zygis oil (belonging to the Thymol chemotype) showed a notable activity against CC14-induced hepatotoxicity combined with a marked scavenger activity.