Abstract
Thymus carnosus Boiss. is an endangered species endemic to Portugal. Studies on its phytochemical composition and bioactivity would increase its use and protection, as no data is available. LC-MS analysis of T. carnosus decoction and hydroethanolic extracts allowed the identification of a salvianolic A isomer, which has not been described in Thymus genus before, rosmarinic and salvianolic K acids as the main phenolics. Luteolin, apigenin and eriodictyol glycosides were identified in lower amounts. Oleanolic and ursolic acids were present only in hydroethanolic extracts. Decoction extracted 32.4% of the phenolic compounds obtained by exhaustive hydroethanolic extraction. Both extracts reduced the viability of three cancer cell lines (human breast: MCF-7, BT-474; murine macrophage: Raw 264.7), with hydroethanolic extracts showing a higher activity. T. carnosus extracts possess significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities and may be suggested as a new potential source of natural antioxidants and their decoctions as a novel functional food.
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