Anxiolytic, memory improvement, hepatoprotective, and antioxidant effects of Thymus vulgaris on alcohol withdrawal syndrome in mice

Introduction: Thymus vulgaris is a plant used in Cameroon to alleviate and treat hangover symptoms. This study was conducted to assess the anxiolytic, memory-improving, hepatoprotective, and antioxidant effects of T. vulgaris on alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Methods: In this preclinical study ۴۲ mice were grouped into seven equal sets of normal control, negative control, positive control (piracetam; ۲۰۰ mg/kg), and test (T. vulgaris; ۲۵, ۵۰, ۱۰۰, or ۲۰۰ mg/kg) groups. All mice (except those of the normal control) were administered ethanol by gavage once daily for ۲۸ days. After alcohol withdrawal, behavioral assessments (elevated plus maze, Y-maze, and open field) were performed from day ۲۹ to day ۳۱, one hour following appropriate treatments. Mice were euthanized on day ۳۲ and the brains and the livers were used for histopathological assessment and oxidative stress parameters evaluation. Results: In the elevated plus maze test, T. vulgaris at ۱۰۰ and ۲۰۰ mg/kg significantly (P < ۰.۰۰۱) increased the number of entries and the time spent in the open arms. The plant extract (۲۰۰ mg/kg) significantly (P < ۰.۰۰۱) increased the spontaneous alternation percentage in the Y maze. T. vulgaris administration decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) in the brain and liver and increased glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT). The plant extract reduced the neuronal degeneration and hepatocyte damage induced by chronic alcohol administration. Conclusion: T. vulgaris had anxiolytic, memory-enhancing, and hepatoprotective properties against alcohol toxicity. These results may justify the use of thyme in traditional pharmacopeia in the management of alcohol use disorders (AUDs).