In this study, we investigated the potential of
thymol and its mode of action to protect against the gastric mucosal injury induced by
ethanol consumption in an in vivo model. Moreover, we determined the role of
thymol in regulation of
matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), an
enzyme belonging to the
metalloproteinase group, which is responsible for the remodeling of injured tissues. Sprague-Dawley rats pretreated with
thymol (10 mg/kg
body weight) or
normal saline were subjected to intragastric administration of 95%
ethanol (5 mL/kg
body weight). Morphological examination included
ulcer index as a measurement of
hemorrhages, and
hematoxylin and
eosin (H&E) staining was performed to analyze severity of gastric mucosal damage.
Gelatinase zymography of tissue extract and in situ zymography were performed to demonstrate MMP-9 activity. Results of macroscopic examination suggested that
thymol significantly protected gastric mucosa from damage induced by alcohol, which was severe in the case of alcohol-only treatment. H&E data demonstrated
necrosis of the corpus region in alcohol-treated rats, which was abrogated in rats pretreated with
thymol. Further,
thymol protected against the constriction of small arteries and neutrophil infiltration in lymphatic vessels. Expression of
antioxidant enzymes increased in the
thymol-pretreated group, and downregulation of MMP-9
protein expression was observed by
gelatin zymography as well as in situ zymography. The results of this study suggest that
thymol protects against gastric mucosa injury induced by
ethanol consumption by upregulating the secretion of
antioxidant enzymes and downregulating the expression of the MMP-9
protein.