Evaluation of the protective effect of Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil on biochemical and histopathological parameters of kidney tissues in chronic administration of CCl4

Introduction: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a toxic compound since it causes acute and chronic toxicity in various tissues due to oxidative stress. On the other hand, Zataria multiflora Boiss (ZM) essential oil as a natural product has different biological effects such as antioxidant activity. Therefore, this study was carried out to assess the protective potential of ZM essential oil on possible toxicity induced by chronic administration of CCl4 in kidney tissues of rats. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned into five groups including C: control group; CO: vehicle control group; CE: rats that were given the essential oil (500 & mu;l/kg/day); F: rats that received CCl4 (1ml/kg) twice a week; and FE: rats that were given CCl4 and essential oil with the mentioned doses. After 11 weeks of study, kidney tissues were collected to measure the activity of AST, ALT, ALP, GGT and LDH enzymes and oxidative stress parameters (TAC, TBARS and GSH). Results: The results showed a significant increase in the activity of ALT, ALP and LDH enzymes in kidney tissues of group F compared to the control groups, probably due to defects in cell metabolism induced by CCl4. But in FE group, essential oil due to antioxidant activity could ameliorate the mentioned parameters in comparison to group F. There was not a significant change in the level of lipid peroxidation marker in kidney tissues of group F in comparison to the control groups. Histopathological studies also did not show any significant changes among kidney tissues of groups. Conclusion: Administration of CCl4 affected on the activity of some biochemical enzymes in kidney tis sues but there was no oxidative stress or injury in the tissues. However, prophylactic admin istration of ZM Boiss essential oil had antioxidant prop-erties in modulating the measured parameters.