Abstract

The main sources of human exposure to aluminum are found in the extensive presence of the metal in the environment and its growing industrial applications. The present study was carried out to determine the effectiveness of the Thymus vulgaris L. extract in alleviating aluminum chloride (AlCl3) toxicity on biochemical and antioxidant parameters. The experiment’s rats were divided into five groups: a control group; an intoxicated group (300 mg AlCl3/kg bw); and three other groups which were given AlCl3 (300mg/kg/bw) then T. vulgaris. L extract (T.v), Malic Acid (MA) and Vitamin E (Vit E) at a concentration of 150mg/kg/bw. Each group was given its respective dosage, daily for 90 days. The results showed a significant decrease in the body/liver/kidney weights, the plasma total protein (T. Protein) and albumin (Alb) levels (p≤0.05) in the intoxicated rats group. However, a significant increase in the plasma uric acid (Uac), alkaline (AlP) and acid phosphatase (AcP) levels was noted (p≤0.05) in the same group. The amount of aluminum, TBARS and nitrate/nitrite (NO) in the liver and kidney tissues of the rats treated with AlCl3 was also found to have increased (p≤0.05), while the levels of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione transferase (GSH-St) have decreased significantly (p≤0.05). These altered parameters were restored in the rats treated with the T. vulgaris L. extract. Therefore, due to these beneficial effects, T. vulgaris L. could potentially be used to antagonize AlCl3 toxicity.

Key words: Thymus vulgaris L., aluminum chloride, oxidative stress, malic acid, vitamin E.