RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Thymus algeriensis (T. algeriensis) is traditionally used in Tunisia to treat many human diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether terpenes extracted from the aerial parts of T. algeriensis are potent cardioprotective agents for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. METHOD: Thirty (30) rats were divided into six groups as per the experimental design: control (n = 6); 0.1 mmol/L H2O2 (LD H2O2) (n = 6); 1 mmol/L H2O2 (HD H2O2) (n = 6); oily fraction of T. algeriensis (OFTS) (180 mg/kg b.wt) (n = 6); OFTS + 0.1 mmol/L H2O2 (n = 6); and OFTS + 1 mmol/L H2O2 (n = 6). RESULTS: The H2O2 demonstrated concentration-dependent cardiotoxic effects in vitro. While, exposure of rats to OFTS significantly depleted H2O2-induced protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation, it raised antioxidant defence enzymes, and protected against H2O2-induced histopathological alterations. The antioxidant potential of the thyme essence was assessed by both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, OFTS may be a potential compound for the therapy of oxidative stress-induced heart disease.