Evaluation of the Therapeutic Effects of Thymbra Spicata L. var spicata and Cyclotrichium Origanifolium in Spinal Cord Injury: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Aim: Secondary tissue damage caused by oxidative stress and inflammation in spinal cord injury complicates treatment and highlights the need for novel therapeutic agents. This study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of Thymbra spicata L. var. spicata (zahter) and Cyclotrichium origanifolium (mountain mint) extracts in an experimental SCI model. Material and Methods: Thirty-six male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to six groups: control, zahter, mountain mint, trauma, trauma+zahter, and trauma+mountain mint. Spinal cord injury was induced in the trauma groups. Blood was collected via cardiac puncture, and spinal tissues were obtained for histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses. Serum MDA, TAS, and TOS levels were measured biochemically. VEGF and GFAP expressions were assessed immunohistochemically. Results: MDA and TOS levels decreased, while TAS levels increased in the treated groups compared to the trauma group, but these changes were not found statistically significant. Histopathological evaluation showed prominent neuronal degeneration, inflammation, and vascular dilatation in the trauma group, which were alleviated in the treatment groups. Greater histological improvement was observed in the trauma+mountain mint group compared to trauma+zahter (p<0.001). VEGF and GFAP expressions were elevated in the trauma group but statistically significantly reduced in the treatment groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: Zahter and mountain mint extracts exhibited therapeutic potential against trauma-induced spinal cord injury by modulating inflammation and tissue damage. Mountain mint was found to be more effective in terms of histological and immunohistochemical outcomes. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.