PMID: 

Fitoterapia. 2007 Sep ;78(6):396-400. Epub 2007 May 23. PMID: 17590533

Abstract Title: 

Eugenol and thymol, alone or in combination, induce morphological alterations in the envelope of Candida albicans.

Abstract: 

The envelope of Candida albicans, with its outermost array of macromolecules protruding towards the environment, is pivotal to the expression of major virulence factors such as adhesiveness, and the morphological transition to hyphal form. We tested the anticandidal activity of eugenol, main component of clove oil, and thymol, main component of thyme oil, alone or in combination, by investigating their ability to interfere with the architecture of the envelope of C. albicans. Both molecules alterated the morphogenesis of the envelope, but the effects of thymol were more pronounced than those of eugenol. Certain combinations of the two molecules led to a synergistic effect, which is interesting in the view of potentiating their inhibition of C. albicans colonisation and infectiousness.

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PMID: 

Behav Pharmacol. 2012 Jun ;23(3):241-9. PMID: 22470103

Abstract Title: 

Cognitive-enhancing activity of thymol and carvacrol in two rat models of dementia.

Abstract: 

This study evaluated the efficacy of thymol and carvacrol against cognitive deficits induced by amyloidβ (Aβ) or scopolamine. Rats received bilateral intrahippocampal injections of Aβ(25-35) or intraperitoneal injections of scopolamine, and the effect of different doses of thymol, or carvacrol (0.5, 1, or 2 mg/kg) on cognitive function was determined. Animals were subjected to 5 days of training in the Morris water maze: 4 days with an invisible platform to test spatial learning and the 5th day with a visible platform to test motivation and sensorimotor coordination. The acute toxicities of thymol and carvacrol were also studied. The results showed increases in escape latency and decreases in target quadrant entries in Aβ or scopolamine-treated groups. These impairments were reversed by pretraining administration of either thymol or carvacrol. The calculated LD50's of thymol (565.7 mg/kg) and carvacrol (471.2 mg/kg) were found to be much higher than their therapeutic doses (thymol 0.5mg/kg, carvacrol 1 mg/kg). These findings provide preliminary positive evidence for the effectiveness and safety of thymol and carvacrol in alleviating cognitive impairments caused by increased Aβ levels or cholinergic hypofunction. Anticholinesterase, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activitiesmay be the mechanisms contributing toward their beneficial effects in these models.

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PMID: 

Cent Nerv Syst Agents Med Chem. 2017 ;17(2):116-122. PMID: 27554922

Abstract Title: 

Anticancer, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Potential of Thymol in vitro Brain Tumor Cell Model.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Thymol (THY), which is a monocyclic monoterpene, found in oil of thyme various other kinds of plants. Until today, although different biological properties of THY have been indicated, its neurological toxicity has never been investigated.METHOD: In this study, in vitro antiproliferative (by 3-(4,5 dimetylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenlytetrazolium bromide (MTT) test), genotoxic (by single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE)) and oxidative effects (by total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidative status (TOS) analysis) of THY (0-400 mg/L) were assessed on cultured primary rat neurons (CPRNs) and N2a neuroblastoma cells.RESULTS: The obtained data from MTT analysis revealed that THY (only at 400 mg/L) led to significant (p0.05) in both treated cell type as compared to control group. The present results also showed that 10, 25 and 50 mg/L of THY application into the cell cultures supported antioxidant capacity in primary rat neurons but not in N2a cells.CONCLUSION: In a conclusion, these results confirm that THY may have antiproliferative potential against brain tumor cells involving oxidative alteration.

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PMID: 

BMJ. 2006 Oct 28 ;333(7574):912-5. PMID: 17068038

Abstract Title: 

Influenza vaccination: policy versus evidence.

Abstract: 

Each year enormous effort goes into producing influenza vaccines for that specific year and delivering them to appropriate sections of the population. Is this effort justified?

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PMID: 

Lett Appl Microbiol. 2008 Sep ;47(3):174-9. PMID: 19552781

Abstract Title: 

The antibacterial mechanism of carvacrol and thymol against Escherichia coli.

Abstract: 

AIMS: To investigate the antibacterial mechanism of carvacrol and thymol against Escherichia coli.METHODS AND RESULTS: The time-kill curve results showed that carvacrol and thymol at 200 mg l(-1) could inhibit the growth of E. coli. Flow cytometry and fluorescent dyes were used to explore the effect of two components on membrane permeability and membrane potential. In membrane permeability experiment, the mean fluorescence intensity of cells treated with 200 mg l(-1) carvacrol or thymol were lower than nonexposed cells. The ratio of red to green fluorescence intensity of DiOC2(3) reflected the change of membrane potential. Carvacrol and thymol at 200 mg l(-1) caused the ratio of red/green decreasing from 0.42 of control to 0.08 and 0.07, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: Carvacrol and thymol had desired antimicrobial effect on E. coli. The antibacterial effects were attributed to their ability to permeabilize and depolarize the cytoplasmic membrane.SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study showed the potential use of flow cytometry as a suitable method to investigate the mode of antibacterial action of essential oil components.

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PMID: 

Biomedicine (Taipei). 2019 Jun ;9(2):9. Epub 2019 May 24. PMID: 31124455

Abstract Title: 

Comparative study of the effect of Thymus daenensis gel 5% and diclofenac in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis is a syndrome characterized by joint pain and reduced performance and efficien- cy in patient. Thymus daenensis has been used since old times for the treatment of bone and joint deformities and pain in traditional medicine.PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine traditional usages and pharmacological features of T. daen- ensis with respect to the effect of the plant in patients with osteoarthritis.METHODS: 120 patients with osteoarthritis were divided into 3 groups. Patients in each group were treated by 5% Thymus daenensis gel, 1% diclofenac gel, or placebo for 6 weeks, along with oral celecoxib capsules. Patients were assessed in different intervals, based on the VAS score for assessment of pain in the joint and different dimensions of WOMAC questionnaire.RESULTS: Pain level (P 

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PMID: 

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2019 Aug ;26(22):22736-22746. Epub 2019 Jun 6. PMID: 31172438

Abstract Title: 

The remedial effect of Thymus vulgaris extract against lead toxicity-induced oxidative stress, hepatorenal damage, immunosuppression, and hematological disorders in rats.

Abstract: 

The Thymus vulgaris (T. vulgaris) has been used in foods for the flavor, aroma, and preservation and in folk medicines. The objective of the present work was to determine the antioxidant and protective effects of T. vulgaris extract against lead (Pb)-intoxicated rats. A thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley were randomly assigned into 4 equal groups and treated for six weeks as follows: group I (GP-I), served as negative control; GP-II, -III, and -IV received either Pb acetate in drinking water (500 mg/L), T. vulgaris extract (500 mg/kg/day) by oral gavage or Pb acetate with T. vulgaris extract, respectively. Blood samples were collected at the end of the study week 6 to measure the hepatic and renal biochemical markers, complete blood count alongside the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis (TNF)-α, and interferon (IFN)-γ. Additionally, liver and kidney tissue specimens were collected for histopathology as well as to measure the antioxidant-reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) alongside the lipid peroxidation marker, malonaldehyde (MDA). The results indicated that Pb toxicity increased the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, whereas IL-10 and IFN-γ were reduced. The results showed disturbed liver and renal functions; increased serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, total bilirubin, creatinine, and urea; and decreased total protein, albumin, and calcium. The GSH, Gpx, and CAT levels were significantly decreased in the Pb-administrated group, whileMDA was increased. However, regarding the hepatorenal markers, those animals treated with T. vulgaris alone did not induce any significant changes. Moreover, the combined treatment with T. vulgaris extract together with Pb showed significant improvement in Pb-induced toxicity in all the tested parameters compared to the negative control group. We investigated the potential protective effects of the medicinal plant T. vulgaris in vivo, since there are no publications that address the potential protective effect of this leaf extract against Pb-induced hepatorenal toxicity. Our studies concludedthat the T. vulgaris extract reduces Pb overload in hepatorenal tissues, and that this has a potential immunomodulatory role, antioxidant activity, and a protective effect against Pb toxicity.

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PMID: 

Drug Chem Toxicol. 2019 Sep 2:1-8. Epub 2019 Sep 2. PMID: 31475590

Abstract Title: 

Thyme () leaf extract modulates purinergic and cholinergic enzyme activities in the brain homogenate of 5-fluorouracil administered rats.

Abstract: 

This study investigated the effect of Thyme () leaf aqueous extract (TE) on purine and acetylcholine hydrolyzing enzyme activities and antioxidant status in the brain of 5-fluorouracil (5-FLU) administered rats. Sixty adult Wistar rats (210-225 g) were divided into Ten groups ( = 6). Group 1: received normal saline orally (NC), group 2, 3, 4 and 5 rats were respectively received 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of TE and Vitamin C (25 mg/kg) orally; group 6 rats received normal saline orally and 150 mg/kg of 5-FLU via., on the last day; rats in group 7, 8, 9 and 10 were orally pretreated with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of TE and Vit C (25 mg/kg) respectively, and administered with 150 mg/kg of 5-FLUon the last day. The purine [adenosine 5'-tri- and di-phosphatases (ATPase and ADPase), adenosine deaminase (ADA)] nucleotide and acetylcholine hydrolyzing [acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butrylcholinesterase (BChE)] enzymes as well as arginase activities and antioxidant status were assessed. The result revealed that untreated 5-FLU rats had increased enzyme activities, which was reduced in the normal rats treated TE compared to NC. Interestingly, the TE-pretreated rats administered with 5-FLU had reduced enzyme activities compared with untreated 5-FLU rats. The antioxidant status was also normalized in the 5-FLU administered rats pretreated with TE Thus, the neuroprotective mechanisms of TE could be linked to attenuation of neuroactive enzymes and antioxidant status.

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PMID: 

Vet Pathol. 2019 05 ;56(3):418-428. Epub 2018 Oct 31. PMID: 30381018

Abstract Title: 

Granulomas Following Subcutaneous Injection With Aluminum Adjuvant-Containing Products in Sheep.

Abstract: 

The use of vaccines including aluminum (Al)-based adjuvants is widespread among small ruminants and other animals. They are associated with the appearance of transient injection site nodules corresponding to granulomas. This study aims to characterize the morphology of these granulomas, to understand the role of the Al adjuvant in their genesis, and to establish the presence of the metal in regional lymph nodes. A total of 84 male neutered lambs were selected and divided into 3 treatment groups of 28 animals each: (1) vaccine (containing Al-based adjuvant), (2) adjuvant-only, and (3) control. A total of 19 subcutaneous injections were performed in a time frame of 15 months. Granulomas and regional lymph nodes were evaluated by clinicopathological means. All of the vaccine and 92.3% of the adjuvant-only lambs presented injection-site granulomas; the granulomas were more numerous in the group administered the vaccine. Bacterial culture in granulomas was always negative. Histologically, granulomas in the vaccine group presented a higher degree of severity. Al was specifically identified by lumogallion staining in granulomas and lymph nodes. Al median content was significantly higher ( P

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PMID: 

J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). 2019 Aug 22. Epub 2019 Aug 22. PMID: 31441113

Abstract Title: 

Administration of ginger and/or thyme has ameliorative effects on liver and kidney functions of V-line rabbits: Histological and biochemical studies.

Abstract: 

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Zingiber officinale and Thymus vulgaris aqueous extracts as a natural antioxidant on liver and kidney functions and antioxidant status of growing rabbits. A total of 24 V-line male rabbits, 3 months old, 1.465 ± 0.12 kg average body weight (BW) were used in a complete randomized design. The rabbits were weighed individually and assigned randomly to four groups (6 animals/each). The first group (G1) was taken fresh water and served as control, rabbits of the second group (G2) weretaken 100 mg/kg BW in drinking water of the Z. officinale aqueous extract daily. The third group (G3) was taken 50 mg/kg BW in drinking water of the T. vulgaris aqueous extract daily and the fourth group (G4) was taken 100 mg/kg BW of the Z. officinale aqueous extract plus 50 mg/kg BW of theT. vulgaris aqueous extract in drinking water daily. The oral administration of ginger and/or thyme aqueous extracts increased (p 

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