A review on essential oil analyses and biological activities of the traditionally used medicinal plant Thymus vulgaris L

Abstract

Since the old times, seeds producing plants have played a vital role in the progress of human culture to treat diseases. Medicinal plants are used traditionally by the local communities to treat diseases. Recently, a report has shown that more than 250,000 flowering plant species are available globally. Scientists are continuously working on higher plants to help and understand plant poisonousness and to defend humans and animals from natural toxins. A plant`s toxicity and its medical use are dependent on the plant’s volatile phytochemicals. Thymus vulgaris L is a common aromatic plant used widely as a folk medicine to treat various diseases by different ethnic communities around the globe including the Sultanate of Oman. Previous studies in Oman showed that the selected plant species contains several groups of phytochemicals such as essential oils and secondary metabolic compounds they can enhance their biological and toxicological activities. Therefore, the aim of the present review is to explore the volatile phytochemicals, biological and toxicological features of Thymus vulgaris grown in Oman. The results can be helpful for discovering new drugs to treat asthma, cough, chronic bronchitis and other infectious diseases. In conclusion, this review provides information on the volatile phytochemicals, pharmacological and toxicological aspects of the selected plant species.