Abstract
BackgroundThyme has been used for centuries in southeastern Morocco to treat a wide range of diseases such as inflammation disorders. The aim of the current study is to examine and to compare in vitro the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticoagulant activities of three thyme species grown in southeastern Morocco.ResultsData showed that all studied species possess an important antioxidant activity: Thymus atlanticus (IC50 = 16.59 μg/mL), Thymus zygis (IC50 = 15.43 μg/mL), and Thymus satureioides (IC50 = 14.65 μg/mL). Concerning the anti-inflammatory activity, the highest effect was depicted in Thymus atlanticus followed by Thymus zygis and Thymus satureioides. With regard to the anticoagulant activity, the aqueous extract of these species prolongs activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, and thrombin time significantly (p < 0.05) in a dose-dependent manner.ConclusionOur results provide evidence that thymus extract exhibits marked antioxidant, anticoagulant, and anti-inflammatory effects, thus justifying the popular uses of these plants to treat some inflammatory and cardiovascular illnesses.
Highlights
Thyme has been used for centuries in southeastern Morocco to treat a wide range of diseases such as inflammation disorders
This study aims to investigate and to compare the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticoagulant effects of three aqueous extracts obtained from three Thymus species grown in southeastern Morocco
Evaluation of antioxidant activity The antioxidant activity was carried out using Acide 2 (ABTS) assay, which measures the ability of antioxidant to scavenge the (ABTS+) radical generated in aqueous phase
Summary
Thyme has been used for centuries in southeastern Morocco to treat a wide range of diseases such as inflammation disorders. The aim of the current study is to examine and to compare in vitro the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticoagulant activities of three thyme species grown in southeastern Morocco. Inflammation and coagulation are two main host-defense systems that interact with each other [2]. Increasing evidence points to an extensive cross-talk between these two systems; inflammation activates coagulation and coagulation modulates the inflammatory activity in many ways [2]. Inflammation and coagulation are implicated in many cardiovascular diseases such as thrombosis and atherosclerosis [3]. Any agent with anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant activities might potentially prevent the rate of several diseases, mainly cardiovascular ones. Steroidal and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs used to remedy the inflammatory-
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
