THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF THYMOL-RICH THYMUS VULGARIS ESSENTIAL OIL IN MITIGATING HYPERTENSION AND ASSOCIATED ORGAN DAMAGE

Hypertension is a significant global health issue that contributes to various cardiovascular and renal diseases. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of Thymus vulgaris essential oil, specifically its primary component, thymol, in mitigating hypertension and related complications. Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: normal control, L-NAME-induced hypertension (40mg/kg), L-NAME + high-dose thymol oil (10 mg/kg), and L-NAME + low-dose thymol oil (5 mg/kg). Blood pressure, lipid profiles, renal function markers, inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6), apoptosis markers (Annexin-V, Bcl-2), and histopathological changes were evaluated. GC‒MS analysis of Thymus vulgaris essential oil confirmed thymol was the dominant compound (34.21%), suggesting its substantial pharmacological role. In hypertensive rats induced by L-NAME (40 mg/kg), the administration of high-dose thymol oil (10 mg/kg) significantly reduced the systolic and diastolic blood pressures, supporting its antihypertensive efficacy. Additionally, thymol improved lipid profiles by lowering triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL levels, while increasing HDL levels. Thymol oil also had protective effects on renal function, as evidenced by decreased levels of urea and creatinine, which are markers of renal dysfunction. Moreover, it reduced the levels of inflammatory markers such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the heart, aorta, and kidneys, indicating its anti-inflammatory properties. Flow cytometry and histopathological analysis revealed that thymol oil significantly reduced apoptosis, as evidenced by decreased Annexin-V expression and increased levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Tissue damage in the heart, aorta, and renal tissues was markedly restored after administration of high-dose thymol, highlighting its potential for reversing hypertension-induced organ damage. These findings suggest that thymol-rich Thymus vulgaris essential oil offers a multifaceted approach for managing hypertension and its complications, providing both cardiovascular and renal protection.