Review on ethnobotany, phytochemical, molecular and pharmacological activity of Thymus daenensis Celak.

Abstract

Abstract Thymus daenensis Celak. is identified as an endemic popular medicinal and flavoring herb, contains a wide range of medicinally bioactive and aroma profile, including phenolic compounds, flavonoids and high amounts of terpenoids. Essential oil of this herb is very rich in monoterpenes (such as thymol and carvacrol) and sesquiterpenes (like β-caryophyllene and β -caryophyllene oxide). In addition, phenolic constituents containing high amounts of phenolic acids (syringic, gallic, vanillic, caffeic, chlorogenic, rosmarinic, and cinnamic acids), and flavonoids (quercitrin, apigenin, luteolin, naringenin, and rutin) were reported to possess the highest antioxidant activity. Following studied in ethnopharmacological of this herb indicated antimicrobial, antioxidant, insecticidal and cytotoxic effects. Moreover, numerous studies have been published on the composition of the herb's essential oil under abiotic stress. Due to its high concentration of thymol, the plant's essential oil possesses high antimicrobial and antioxidant activities on human pathogenic strains. They are also very interesting view point as potential sources of novel antimicrobial compounds to serve as alternatives to treat infectious diseases. However, there are no comprehensive studies on thorough review of this species from Iran. Thus,the present review was conducted to discuss aroma profile, phenolic components and biological activity studies performed so far.