ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a epidemic disease which is mainly due to cigarette smoking. The effect of carvacrol on systemic inflammation in guinea pig model of COPD was examined in the present study. METHODS: Guinea pigs of both sexes were divided into 6 groups, including: control, COPD, COPD+drinking water containing three concentrations of carvacrol and COPD+dexamethasone. Animals were exposed to cigarette smoke for 3 months in order to induce animal model of COPD. Weight changes, serum levels of IL-8 and malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as total and differential white blood cell (WBC) were measured (n=5 for control and COPD groups and n=6 for other groups). RESULTS: Serum levels of IL-8 and MDA, total WBC (p<0.01 for all cases) and eosinophil counts (p<0.05) were increased and weight changes were decreased (p<0.05) in COPD group compared to controls. Serum MDA level and total WBC in treated groups with two higher carvacrol concentrations, eosinophil, neutrophil and lymphocyte percentage in those treated with its high concentration as well as IL-8 level and weight change in treated groups with its all concentrations and in dexamethasone treated group were significantly improved compared to COPD group (p<0.05 to p<0.001). CONCLUSION: These results showed a preventive effect of the carvacrol on all measured parameter in COPD guinea pigs which was comparable to the effect of dexamethasone at used concentrations.
