Carvacrol attenuates serum levels of total protein, phospholipase A2 and histamine in asthmatic guinea pig

Abstract

<br /><strong>Objective: </strong>Pharmacological effects of carvacrol such as its anti-inflammatory activities have been shows. In this study the effects of carvacrol on serum levels of total protein (TP), phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and histamine in sensitized guinea pigs was evaluated. <br /><br /><strong>Materials and Methods</strong>: Sensitized guinea pigs were given drinking water alone (group S), drinking water containing three concentrations of carvacrol (40, 80 and 160 µg/ml) or dexamethasone. Serum levels of TP, PLA2 and histamine were examined I all sensitized groups as well as a non-sensitized control group (n=6 for each group). <br /><br /><strong>Results</strong>: In sensitized animals, serum levels of TP, PLA2 and histamine were significantly increased compared to control animals (p<em><</em>0.05 to p<em><</em>0.001). Significant reduction in TP, PLA2 and histamine levels were observed in treated groups with the two higher concentrations of carvacrol but dexamethasone treatment only decreased serum level of PLA2 (p<0.001). Although the effect of the lowest concentration of the extract was less than that of dexamethasone (p<em><</em>0.05 for TP and p<em><</em>0.001 for PLA2), the effects of the two higher concentrations on PLA2 were similar to dexamethasone and on TP (p<em><</em>0.01) and histamine (p<em><</em>0.001) were higher than those of dexamethasone. <br /><br /><strong>Conclusion</strong>: These results showed that carvacrol reduced serum levels of TP, PLA2 and histamine in sensitized guinea pigs which may indicate an anti-inflammatory effect of this agent in inflammatory disorders such as asthma.