Inhibitory effects of the essential oils on acetaminophen-induced lipid peroxidation in the rat

Inhibitory effects of the essential oils obtained from ten herbs were tested on acetaminophen-induced lipid peroxidation in the rat. The oil of Artemisia princeps var. orientalis buds (AP-oil) showed the most significant hepatic malondialdehyde value which was comparable to those of ascorbic acid and methionine. This was warranted by the protective effect on hepatic glutathione depletion. Overview of the data on the activities of hepatic microsomal enzymes, aminopyrine N-demethylase and aniline hydroxylase led to the notice that the suppressed activities of those enzymes are mainly responsible for the anti-lipid peroxidation. The interpretation of GC-MS data on the AP-oil revealed the ingredient of cineol, thujone, carvone, borneol, camphor and terpineol.