Evaluation of the Effects of Thymol on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Caused by Chronic Immobility Stress in Rats

Thymol is a phenolic monoterpene that has been reported its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in previous studies and appears to have a protective role for the liver against damage caused by free radicals. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the effects of Thymol on non-alcoholic fatty liver caused by chronic immobility stress in rats.

The present experimental study was conducted in 2020. 24 Wistar rats were included in the study and divided into 3 equal groups; Control sham, negative control and treatment (Thymol recipient at a dose of 100 mg/kg). After 60 days, the mice were anesthetized with ketamine and xylazine and blood samples were taken from the heart and the whole liver was removed for histological examination. Inflammatory factors including IL-6 and TNF-α, antioxidant enzymes including; GPx, SOD and catalase, fat profiles including LDL, HDL, triglyceride and total cholesterol as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) were examined. The collected data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Turkey’s post hoc test.

The results indicated that in the fatty liver group, the amount of antioxidant enzymes decreased and fat factors and the amount of MDA increased. While treatment with Thymol was able to bring these factors closer to normal. Pathological results exposed that Thymol can reduce the amount of damage caused to non-alcoholic fatty liver by reducing cell necrosis.

The present study revealed that Thymol with antioxidant properties can improve non-alcoholic fatty liver function due to chronic immobility stress by reducing inflammatory markers, increasing antioxidant indices and reducing cell necrosis.