Thyme Plants Research Articles

The medicinal importance of Thyme plant (Thymus vulgaris)

Medicinal and aromatic plants are a group of the oldest plants known and used by man throughout the ages for different fields, as they are used as food and medicine, in the middle and modern ages. The importance of these plants has increased, and their uses varied. The term medicinal plants include different types of plants that have therapeutic activities. These medicinal plants are considered among the sources rich in chemical components that can be used for the treatment of a specific disease or to reduce it if they are used in pure extract or in the form of fresh, dried, or partially extracted vegetable herbs. In addition to its medicinal importance, some plants have great nutritional value. One of the important medicinal plants is the thyme plant which contains many benefits that treat many health conditions. So, this article aimed to explain the most important components of thyme, in addition to its extreme role as a medicinal plant and its multiple uses as food and medicine, as well as its importance in preventing viruses, especially Corona virus.

Effect of Aerobic Exercise Combined With Thyme Extract Supplementation on the PGC-1α Gene Expression in Adult Male Rats

Objective: Due to the uncertainty of the impact of thyme plant on endurance sport performance, despite its high antioxidant property, this study aims to assess the effect of aerobic exercise combined with thyme extract supplementation on the PGC-1α gene expression in male rats. Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 40 adult male Wistar rats randomly classified into five groups of 8 including control, sham, aerobic exercise, thyme extract (400 mg per kg per day), and aerobic exercise + thyme extract. The rats began their exercise on a treadmill for 10 minutes a day with a speed of 10 m/min and a slope of 10%. Speed and duration of exercise gradually increased over the next two weeks until they reached 27 m/min and one hour per day, respectively. The real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method was used to investigate the PGC-1α gene expression extracted from the soleus muscle of rats. Results: There was a significant difference in PGC-1α gene expression after intervention between the combined group and control and sham groups (Mean=1.01±0.0306; F=4.238, P=0.05). However, the PGC-1α gene expression rate in aerobic exercise group and supplementation group was no significantly different compared to control and sham groups (Mean=1.01±0.0306; F=0.00001, P=0.005). Conclusion: It seems that thyme extract supplementation along with aerobic exercise increases the PGC-1α gene expression.

Investigation of Antimicrobial Activity of Medicinal Plant Extracts on Bacillus cereus Isolated from Soil

Background: Because many plant extracts have a significant inhibitory effect on pathogenic microorganisms, so we aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of some plant extracts on Bacillus cereus isolated from soil. Methods: The chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), hyacinth (Hypericum perforatum L.), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), yew (Taxus baccata), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) plants were collected and identified in the botanical laboratory of the University of Zabol. To prepare the ethanolic extract, 40 g of dried leaves of plants were used in 400 cc of ethanol. Different strains of B. cereus used in this study were isolated from soil and identified by biochemical, bacteriological, and growth tests as well as standard tests. Antimicrobial effects were investigated by diffusion method in Müller Hinton agar medium using 6 mm paper discs according to Bauer and Kirby instructions as well as microdilution. Statistix ver10 software was used for statistical calculations. Mean comparisons were performed using the LSD at the 1% level, and Excel was also used to draw the figures. Results: The diameter of the growth inhibition zone of plant extracts against B. cereus at a dilution of 100 ppm was investigated, and it was found that different extracts had different effects on inhibiting the growth of B. cereus (P < 0.01). LSD test showed that thyme (T. vulgaris L.) had the highest (15 mm) effect on growth inhibition of strains 2 and 3 of B. cereus and the lowest (1 mm) effect on growth inhibition of strain 1 of B. cereus. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of thyme (T. vulgaris L.) against B. cereus samples were 3.1 and 6.2 ppm, respectively. Conclusions: Considering the side effects of chemical drugs and antibiotics, as well as the potential effect of medicinal plant extracts, especially T. vulgaris L. on B. cereus, it is recommended that T. vulgaris L. may inhibit the growth of B. cereus.

The effect of drying methods on the color, chlorophyll, total phenolic, flavonoids, and macro and micronutrients of thyme plant

In the present study, thyme leaves weighing 20 ± 0.02 g were dried from the initial moisture of 76.07% ± 0.06% to the final moisture of 9.05% ± 0.76% via natural drying, convective drying at 50°C, and microwave drying at 200, 600, and 1,000 W. The closest color parameters to the fresh product were found in the natural drying, followed by 600 and 1,000 W. The highest chlorophyll content had found at natural drying, 1,000 and 600 W, respectively. Microwave drying at 600 W maximally protected the macro and micronutrients, followed by natural drying and 1,000 W. The highest total phenolic and flavonoid content was measured at 200 W, followed by 600 W and 50°C, respectively. In the study, the microwave drying method at 600 W was the most successful in terms of the drying period, color parameters, chlorophyll concentration, and nutrients. Novelty impact statement For the first time, the color, chlorophyll, nutritional element, total phenolic, and flavonoids of dried thyme plants were examined in detail altogether. In the light of the quality parameters, which were examined, a data profile was created for dried thyme leaves in comparison with the fresh product.

Beet Molasses Enhance Salinity Tolerance in Thymus serpyllum—A Study under Greenhouse Condition

The growing demand for Thymus serpyllum biomass to produce drugs, cosmetics and spices necessitates the search for innovative methods mitigating the negative effects of environmental stressors in order to improve its yield under unfavorable conditions. Due to the exposure of plants to salinity stress (SS), we investigated the effect of sugar beet molasses (SBM) on the growth and biochemical parameters related to plants’ response to SS. Wild thyme plants were treated for 5 weeks to sodium chloride and 3% molasses solution using two modes of application (soil irrigation or foliar sprays). Plants irrigated by SBM showed slighter stem growth inhibition than control plants, high stress tolerance index and maintained a constant root water content under salt stress. Moreover plants treated with 100 mM NaCl and soil-applied SBM had lower lipid peroxidation level, showed lower POD activity, higher total soluble protein content and maintained a more even free amino acids level, compared to the control treatments. The concentration of potassium ions was higher in the case of plant roots irrigation with sugar beet molasses compared to control plants. In this experiment, most of the growth and biochemical parameters from foliar molasses-sprayed plants did not differ significantly from the control. We provided evidence that soil-applied SBM beneficially changed the plant’s biochemical response to salt stress. On the basis of the obtained results, we conclude that this soil amendment contributes to the strengthening of plant protection against this harmful environmental factor.

Towards an experimental approach for measuring the removal of urban air pollutants by green roofs

Green roofs are a promising approach to mitigate air pollution in urban environments, but limited experimental data is yet available. In this study, we developed a laboratory-scale setup to measure the removal nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) using a variety of common green roof species. Experiments were conducted on detached leaves and whole plants using two chambers (0.6 L and 12 L), visible lighting, NOx/O3 sources and online analyzers. Three species were the best performant (Thymus vulgaris, Sedum sexangulare and Heuchera Americana L.) with deposition velocities (vd) ranging from 1.6 to 4.82 m/h for NO2, and 1.7–5.56 m/h for O3. In both cases, thyme was the most effective plant likely due to its higher stomatal area and the reactivity of its volatile metabolites with O3 leading to several oxidized by-products. Furthermore, NO2 uptake was found to be enhanced by surface water released by leaf transpiration leading to the production of nitrous acid (HONO). Similar values of (vd) were observed (3.84–4.65 m/h) when whole thyme plant was used. The soil was also found to be competitive in removing O3 but less performant in capturing NO2. Using a dry deposition model, we estimated that the three plant species can uptake up to 9 kg/ha/year of NO2 and 13.6 kg/ha/year, which fall in agreement with previously reported modeling data. Our experimental approach can be a rapid tool for screening the depollution performances of green roof species enabling an effective prioritization for deployment in urban environments.

Growth, physiological, and biochemical responses of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) to the application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under cadmium stress conditions

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) is one of the most important medicinal plants used in various pharmaceutical, osmotic, health, and food industries. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) symbiosis is viewed as one of the several methods to improve growth under heavy metals stress. To investigate the effects of cadmium (Cd) and AMF bio-fertilizers on the growth and morpho-physiological characteristics of thyme, a greenhouse experiment was performed in three replications. Experimental treatments included Cd at three levels 0, 75, and 150 mg/kg of soil and AMF at three levels without inoculation, inoculation with Funneliformis etunicatum, and Funneliformis mosseae. Cadmium stressed plant showed reduced plant height, number of leaves, stem fresh and dry weight, and root fresh and dry weight while AMF inoculation enhanced the increased means of these traits considerably. Inoculation with F. mosseae also ameliorated the Cd stress (150 mg/kg) induced reduction in plant height, number of leaves, and stem and root dry weight by 13.41%, 8.42%, 30.3%, and 22.2%, respectively. Cadmium stress reduced membrane stability index while AMF inoculation enhanced membrane stability index considerably. An increase in soluble carbohydrate and proline content was observed due to Cd stress and AMF inoculation caused a further increase in these two metabolite contents ensuring better growth under Cd stressed conditions. Results indicated that F. mosseae had a higher efficiency in increasing morphological traits and improving physiological characteristics than F. etunicatum. Overall, AMF inoculation, especially F. mosseae significant ameliorative potential for Cd toxicity in thyme plants.

An in-vitro study of Himalayan plant extracts against oomycetes disease Saprolegniasis in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of ethanolic extract of three Himalayan plants Myrica esculenta, Thymus linearis and Butea monosperma on hyphal germination, colonisation and sporulation of two species of Saprolegnia (Saprolegnia parasitica and S. australis) isolated from rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Molecular docking of active ingredients of M. esculenta, Myricetin with effector proteins of S. parasitica was also performed to investigate the target binding sites for drug development. Methodology: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), mycelium growth inhibition, spore germination, and inhibition was performed with the most effective concentrations. Molecular docking was carried out with AutoDock Vina software to investigate target binding sites with S. parasitica. Results: Extracts from Myrica esculenta, Thymus linearis and Butea monosperma showed MIC values of the 25, 100, 50 mg ml-1 against S. parasitica and 25, 50, 25 mg ml-1 against S. australis hyphal growth, respectively. Nevertheless, malachite green as reference control was effective with a MIC value of 2.5 mg l-1. The concentration required to inhibit S. parasitica and S. australis spores were (50) Myrica esculenta, (25) Thymus linearis, (100) Butea monosperma in mg ml-1 and (50) Myrica esculenta, (50) Thymus linearis, (100) Butea monosperma in mg ml-1, respectively. Interpretation: The study concludes that M. esculenta and B. monosperma are effective against Saprolegniasis and could be used as phyto additives.

Variation in Antioxidant Activity and Antioxidant Constituents of Thymus Serpyllum L Grown in Different Climatic Conditions of Uttarakhand Himalayas

In-vitro antioxidant activity of therapeutically important plant Thymus serpyllum L. grown at different altitudes viz. foothill areas, lower Himalayan and higher Himalayan regions were evaluated against various radicals such as DPPH, ABTS and reducing power assays. The antioxidant constituents like total phenols, flavonoids and total tannins were also evaluated in the present study. The results revealed that the alcoholic, as well as the aqueous extracts of the plant, showed significant antioxidant potential against all the radicals. Extracts obtained from different altitude cultivation showed variation in IC50 values. The alcoholic and aqueous extracts prepared from the plants grown at foothill areas (Haldwani) showed the highest DPPH (IC50: ALC-0.566 mg/ml; AQ- 0.778 mg/ml), ABTS (IC50: ALC- 0.484 mg/ml; AQ- 0.533 mg/ml) and reducing power (EC50: ALC- 0.29 mg/ml; 0.42 mg/ml) activities, followed by high altitude cultivated plants, (Auli), with moderate antioxidant activity. The extracts from mid-altitude cultivation (Pithoragarh) exhibited the least antioxidant potential. The results showed that the amount of total phenolics and flavonoids were significantly correlated to the antioxidant activity. Higher the value of phenolics (TS3: 12.63mg CE/g> TS1: 11.51 mg CE/g> TS2: 10.70 mg CE/g) and flavonoids (TS3: 9.30 mg QE/g> TS1: 9.07mg QE/g> TS2: 6.59mg QE/g) in the extracts, greater was the antioxidant activity. Therefore, T. serpyllum grown in foothill areas was more beneficial in preparing various herbal formulations.

Phylogenetic Analysis of Origanum vulgare and Its Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity

Our country is home to many endemic plant species including medicinal, aromatic and spice. One of these species is thyme plant used both in daily life and for medical purposes. One of the most popular methods of phylogenetic classification of plants is the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region which locates between the ITS1 and ITS2 regions that highly conserved. In this paper, a thyme species was used, which grows naturally in Sultan Murat Sarıkaya High-plateau in eastern Black Sea Region (Turkey) and phylogenetic analysis of oregano plant was carried out and antioxidant and antibacterial activity was investigated. The assessment of the antioxidant activity of the plant was researched using DPPH method using plant excretes prepared at various time intervals. The antibacterial activity of plant was studied by using disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) methods against Gram (+) and Gram (-) bacteria. The phylogenetic analysis was performed by obtaining the genomic DNA of the plant by the analysis of the specific DNA sequences used in the species identification, and the species of the plant was identified as Origanum vulgare and was identified as MH174928.1 (Origanum vulgare isolate SRY61) from Gen Bank. O. vulgare showed a high rate of antioxidant properties and showed antibacterial effect in accordance with the literature.

Biological Properties of Essential Oils from Thymus algeriensis Boiss.

This study describes the chemical composition, antitumor, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of the plant Thymus algeriensis Boiss. Essential oils (EOs) were collected in different periods (before, during, and after flowering stage) from the El-Guetfa region, M’sila, Algeria. The EOs extraction was achieved using three distinguishing techniques: hydro (Clevenger trap), steam, and microwave distillations, targeting different aerial parts of the plant (stems, flowers, and leaves). The EOs chemical components were estimated using GC-FID and GC-MS apparatuses. The resulting yield of the extracted oil was moderate and ranged between 0.84 and 1.53% (wt/vol). In total, eighty-five components were identified, in which the oxygenated monoterpenes family formed the main portion, starting from 40.56 up to 70.66%. The obtained essential oil was dominated by five major components that varied from low to quite moderate percentages: camphor (17.45–32.56%), borneol (11.16–22.2%), camphene (7.53–12.86%), 1.8-cineole (5.16–11.21%), and bornyl acetate (3.86–7.92%). The biological results of this oil pointed out that the EOs extracted from the leaves part exposed a weak radical scavenging activity afterward using two well-known antioxidant assays DPPH (IC50 = 8.37 mg/mL) and ABTS (10.84 mg/mL). Meanwhile, this oil presented strong inhibition activity against colon cancer cell line HCT116 (LC50 = 39.8 µg/mL) and a moderate inhibitory against hepatocellular cancer cells HePG2 (LC50 > 100 µg/mL). In addition, this oil antimicrobial activity was quite important against Micrococcus luteus (M. luteus), Staphylococcus aureus CIP 7625, Escherichia coli ATCC 10536, Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 4226, Candida albicans IPA200, Candida tropicalis (Ct), and Candida glabrata (Cg) after using Amoxicillin and Itraconazole as references.

In vitro antifungal activity of Thymus vulgaris essential oil nanoemulsion

BackgroundAn essential oil derived from the evergreen plant Thymus vulgaris acts as an antifungal agent with strong antimicrobial activity, but it has low water solubility. The current study therefore aimed to enhance the solubility of thyme essential oil by formulating it into a nanoemulsion and investigating its effectiveness on a broad range of fungi. MethodThe identification of the compositions of essential oils was performed using GC–MS. Thyme essential oil nanoemulsion (TV EO-NE) was prepared by using a high-pressure homogenization method. Both viability and cytotoxicity outcomes on Human fetal foreskin fibroblast cells were gauged by different concentrations of Thymus vulgaris essential oils and TV EO-NE after 24 and 48 h. Antifungal susceptibility tests were carried out based on the modified CLSI M60 document for yeasts and CLSI M28-A3 documents for filamentous fungi. ResultsThyme essential oil was mainly composed of thymol (22.10 %), p-cymene (21.31 %), carvacrol (13.02 %), carvacrol acetate (6.72 %), and linalool (5.58 %). The TV EO-NEs were spherical with a mean diameter of 127.6 ± 62.52 nm and zeta potential of −9.82 ± 6.07 mV. The MIC90 for C. albicans and C. glabrata isolates was 0.031 μg/mL and 0.0625 μg/mL for C. parapsilosis. Also, MIC90 for both dermatophytes and Aspergillus fumigatus isolates was determined to be 0.016 μg/mL. For yeasts and filamentous fungi, a significant reduction in MIC values was observed using TV EO-NE (p < 0.05). ConclusionThe study highlighted T. vulgaris and thymol to be promising alternatives for the treatment of cutaneous mycoses especially when the etiological agents are resistant to conventional antifungal drugs.

Medicinal Plants Effective in the Prevention and Control of Coronaviruses

Objective: Coronaviruses often cause acute complications in the respiratory system with cold-like symptoms. A number of them, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) have killed thousands of people and have caused epidemics and pandemics. This review study aims to investigate the most common medicinal plants in Iran and introduce their natural products with antiviral effects on coronaviruses and strengthening the immune system in order to prevent and control them. Methods: In this review study, a search was conducted in national and international databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, SID, MagIran and IranMedex by using keywords such as COVID-19, Coronaviruses, SARS, MERS, SARS-CoV-2, PEDV in both Persian and English for studies published until 2020, and finally 51 articles were selected. Results: There are 10 plants with antiviral effects on members of the family Coronaviridae among which Ginger, Galangal, Cinnamon, Fennel flower, Grapefruit (peel), and Purple coneflower were effective on COVID-19. Elder, Ginseng, Aloe vera, Milkvetch, and Shirazi Thyme plants were effective in boosting the immune system and preventing viral diseases. Conclusion: Inhibiting the replication of viruses is the common mechanism in antiviral drugs, but natural compounds usually counteract it by disrupting key proteins and virulence factors of viruses. Therefore, the use of the antiviral components of reported plants can be useful in producing drugs for these viruses, especially the one causing COVID-19.

THE ANTIBACTERIAL EFFICACY OF ETHANOL EXTRACTS OBTAINED FROM LEAVES OF SOME THYMUS SPECIES (LAMIACEAE) AGAINST STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS SUBSP. AUREUS STRAIN

A convincing number of investigations that indicate that thymol with other metabolites exhibited potent antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, and antiparasitic properties prompted us to verify the antibacterial efficacy of four species and one interspecific hybrid of the Thymus genus collected in the western part of Ukraine against Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus (ATCC® 29213™) strain. Considering the points highlighted above and based on previous results obtained in our laboratory, in the current study, we decided to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of five ethanol extracts obtained from leaves of Thymus representatives against Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus (ATCC® 29213™) strain. Fresh leaves were washed, weighed, crushed, and homogenized in 96 % ethanol (in proportion 1:19) at room temperature. The extracts were then filtered and investigated for their antimicrobial activity. Antimicrobial activity was determined using the agar disk diffusion assay. The ethanol extracts obtained from leaves of Thymus plants showed different antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus (ATCC® 29213™) strain. The antibacterial activity of extracts was greatest for Th. serpyllum followed by Th. pannonicus followed by Th. pulegioides, Th. alpestris, and then by Th. x porcii. Since the antibacterial effectiveness of medicinal plants varies dramatically depending on the phytochemical characteristics of plant families and subfamilies, it is not surprising to note the difference in this efficacy even when using samples taken from the same plant, but from two different regions. The antimicrobial activity of the crude ethanol extracts obtained from leaves of Thymus plants may be attributed to specific compounds or a combination of compounds. The present study lays the basis for future research, to validate the possible use of Thymus species as a candidate in the treatment of infections caused by Staphylococcus aureusin medicine and veterinary.

Effect of Thymus vulgaris oil on the growth of Helicobacter pylori

Man has used medicinal plants for a long time. Among these Thymus vulgaris whose therapeutic virtues have been proven by many works, especially in the field of the fight against infectious diseases. The objective of this work is to evaluate the effect of essential oils, obtained by extraction from a medicinal plant Thymus vulgaris on the growth of Helicobecter Pylori. Various pro-cesses for extracting T. vulgaris essential oil from the Tessala region of SBA (Western Algerian) have been highlighted. Quantitative analysis of T. vulgaris essential oil after its hydrodistillation extraction showed a good yield of 3.2%.The study of the antibacterial effect of T. vulgaris essential oil against the H. pylori taken from gastric biopsies (cases of gastritis, ulcer, malignant tumor) within the Gastroenterology Department at the Hospital University Centre of SBA, was highlighted by the aromatogram test, the MIC and MBC test and the test of monitoring bacterial growth in the absence and presence of essential oil. The aromatogram test of H. pylori in the presence of T. vulgaris essential oil allowed us to test several inhibitory concentrations (10-1 to 10-5). The results of the aromatogram obtained showed a good activity of T. vulgaris essential oil in comparison with H. pylori. In all the three pathological cases (gastric malignant tumours, gastritis and ulcer). The results of the MIC and MBC tests allowed us to determine the minimum inhibitory concen-tration and that of bactericidal, whose highest recorded inhibition values of T. vulgaris essential oil in relation to H. pylori in all the three above stated pathological cases are (62.5, 125) μ.ml-1respectively.

ENHANCING GROWTH, PRODUCTIVITY AND ESSENTIAL OIL PERCENTAGE OF THYMUS VULGARIS L. PLANT USING SEAWEEDS EXTRACT, CHITOSAN AND POTASSIUM SILICATE IN SANDY SOIL

The present study was carried out at the Experimental Farm, Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Egypt during two successive seasons of 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 to examine the effect of foliar application of seaweeds extract at 2, 4 and 6 ml/l, chitosan at 2, 4 and 6 ml/l and potassium silicate at 6, 9 and 12 ml/l as well as the interaction between seaweeds extract and chitosan on growth, biochemical and essential oil characteristics of thyme plants grown in a sandy soil. These compounds were applied as foliar spray three times after 15 days from planting and at 15 days interval. The results showed that foliar applications of seaweeds extract at 6 ml/l, chitosan at 6 ml/l and potassium silicate at 12 ml/l significantly affected all studied parameters compared with control. The results indicated that the different applied treatments increased the measured growth characteristics i.e. plant height, number of branches/plant, fresh and dry weights as well parallel increase of photosynthetic pigments. Also, constituents of N, P, K, total carbohydrates, percentage of essential oil and the GLC of essential oil of plant were existed in the two assigned seasons. In addition, the most effective combined treatments were seaweed at 6 ml/l + chitosan at 4 ml/l in this respect.

Effect of substrate type and irrigation frequency on growth of the bee-friendly plant Thymus citriodorus on an urban extensive green roof

ISHS I International Symposium on Botanical Gardens and Landscapes Effect of substrate type and irrigation frequency on growth of the bee-friendly plant Thymus citriodorus on an urban extensive green roof

Antifungal and anti-inflammatory potential of the endangered aromatic plant Thymus albicans

Thymus albicans is an endemic species of the Iberian Peninsula with a vulnerable conservation status. In an attempt to contribute to the valorization of this species, the present study brings new insights on the antifungal and anti-inflammatory mechanism of action of T. albicans essential oil. The antifungal activity of the oil and its major compounds was assessed for the first time against standard and clinically isolated strains of yeasts and filamentous fungi. The effect on the two major virulence factors of Candida albicans (germ tube formation and biofilm disruption) was considered in more detail. At 0.08 μL/mL, the oil inhibited C. albicans germ tube formation by more than 40% and decreased biofilm biomass at MIC values, thus pointing out its antivirulent potential. The anti-inflammatory activity of the essential oil was investigated on LPS-stimulated mouse macrophages (RAW 264.7) by evaluating the levels of several pro-inflammatory mediators, namely nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). T. albicans oil reduced the production of nitrites, a NO derived sub-product, at non-cytotoxic concentrations of 0.32 and 0.64 μL/mL, by 27 and 41%, respectively. In addition, the iNOS protein levels of essential oil pre-treated cells were reduced by 14%. Overall, the high essential oil yield of T. albicans as well as its bioactive effects at concentrations without cytotoxicity, encourage further studies on the potential pharmacological applications of this species. Furthermore, these results raise awareness for the need to preserve endangered species that may hold relevant medicinal value.

Can thyme (Thymbraspicata L. var. spicata) volatile oil alleviate the detrimental effects of high stocking densities in Japanese quail?

This study was conducted to observe the effects of thyme plant (Thymbra spicata L.var. spicata) volatile oil on quails and intestinal microbiota in high stocking density. For this purpose, 300 7-day-old Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix Japonica) were used in the study. The quails were selected on the basis of body weight and divided into 6 groups, each consisting of 5 replications that contained 50 quail chicks according to the following experimental design: positive control group (NSD - CONT), with normal stocking density and no additive; negative control group (HSD - CONT), with high stocking density (HSD) and no additive; group HSD - ANT, with HSD and 10 mg/kg of avilamycin additive, and other groups named HSD - T1, T2, and T3, with HSD and 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg of volatile oil additive respectively. In the study, a stocking density of 160 cm2/quail was chosen, while the high stocking density (HSD) was 90 cm2/quail. A statistically significant difference was found in terms of improvements in feed intake and feed conversion ratio (P &lt; 0.01), and the highest total bacteria count (cfu/g) was observed in HSD - CONT group (P &lt; 0.01). The addition of zahter-thyme volatile oil in the diet of quails kept in high stocking density provided improvements at various levels with regard to intestinal microbiota and animal performance. It was observed that the inclusion of zahter-thyme volatile oil, in particular at 600 mg per kg level, reduced the detrimental effects of stress generated by high stocking density.

Biochemical constituent, enzyme inhibitory activity, and molecular docking analysis of an endemic plant species, Thymus migricus

Medicinal plants have been used traditionally since ancient times as alternative medications to treat various human diseases. In this work, we examined the chemical constituent, antioxidant activity, and enzyme inhibition of an endemic plant Thymus migricus. The plant extracts showed remarkable inhibition effects against the acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and α-glycosidase (α-Gly) enzymes that are linked with some metabolic disorders. IC50 values (concentration of a sample to inhibit 50% of enzyme activity) for AChE, BChE, GST, and α-Gly were found as 18.23 mg/mL, 17.77 mg/mL, 31.5 mg/ml, and 16.5 mg/mL, respectively. Antioxidant activities of water extract of T. migricus (WET) and methanol extract of T. migricus (MET) were determined using four in vitro techniques. The extracts showed considerable antioxidant actions on all four techniques. In addition, quinic acid (18.30 mg/g), chlorogenic acid (0.94 mg/g), cynaroside (0.49 mg/g), luteolin (0.21 mg/g), and p-coumaric acid (0.19 mg/g) were characterized as major phenolic compounds using advanced LC–MS/MS technique. The interactions of some phenolic compounds with the enzymes have been investigated using molecular docking studies. The docking analysis results revealed that the interactions of the major compounds of the plant with AChE, BChE, GST, and α-Gly enzymes are responsible for the inhibitory activity.