This study evaluates the protective effects of thymol on altered plasma lipid peroxidation products and nonenzymic antioxidants in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarcted rats. Male albino Wistar rats were pre and cotreated with thymol (7.5 mg/kg body weight) daily for 7 days. ISO (100 mg/kg body weight) was subcutaneously injected into rats on 6th and 7th day to induce myocardial infarction (MI). Increased activity/levels of serum creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, lipid hydroperoxides, and conjugated dienes with decreased levels of plasma reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin C, and vitamin E were observed in ISO-induced myocardial infarcted rats. Pre and cotreatment with thymol (7.5 mg/kg body weight) showed normalized activity of serum CK-MB and near normalized levels of plasma lipid peroxidation products, reduced GSH, vitamin C, and vitamin E in myocardial infarcted rats. Furthermore, the in vitro study on reducing power of thymol confirmed its potent antioxidant action. Thus, thymol protects ISO-induced MI in rats by its antilipid peroxidation and antioxidant properties.
2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc