Thymus Capitatus Research Articles

Functionality of Selected Aromatic Lamiaceae in Attracting Pollinators in Central Spain.

Planting floral margins in agricultural landscapes has been shown to increase the abundance of pollinators in agro-ecosystems. However, to create efficient margins, it is necessary to use attractive, not weedy native plants with different blooming periods to prolong the availability of floral resources. Six native perennial plants of the Lamiaceae with different blooming periods were studied in a randomized block design, with the final aim to select the most efficient plants in floral mixtures by studying relationships between their floral phenology, floral density, and attractiveness to pollinators in Central Spain. In addition, their spatial expansion, i.e., potential weediness, was estimated under the field conditions, as the final purpose of the plants is to be implemented within the agro-ecosystems. The results showed that plant species with higher floral density (Nepeta tuberosa L. and Hyssopus officinalis L.) showed significantly higher attractiveness to pollinators and enhanced the attractiveness of floral mixtures. Species that bloomed in early spring (Salvia verbenaca L.) and in summer (Melissa officinalis L. and Thymbra capitata L.) did not efficiently contribute to the attractiveness of the mixtures to pollinators. In addition, besides high floral density of Salvia officinalis L. and N. tuberosa in the spring, warm and dry weather in spring 2012 enhanced the activity of bees, while cold and rainy weather in spring 2013 enhanced the activity of hoverflies. None of the plants showed weedy growth and so posed no danger of invading adjacent crops.

Origanum Vulgare and Thymbra Capitata Essential Oils from Spain: Determination of Aromatic Profile and Bioactivities

Oregano (Thymbra capitata and Origanum vulgare) essential oils (EOs), cultivated and extracted in the South-East of Spain, were analysed by GC/MS to determine their composition. (E)-β-Caryophyllene (0.5-4.9%), thymol (0.2-5.8%), p-cymene (3.8-8.2%), γ-terpinene (2.1-10.7%) and carvacrol (58.7-77.4%) were determined as the main molecules. This characterisation was completed with enantioselective gas chromatography, where (-)-(E)-β-caryophyllene, (+)-a- pinene and (+)-β-pinene were determined as the main enantiomers. Antioxidant activity was evaluated positively by several methods, accounting for activity against free radicals and reducing power. Important inhibitory activity on lipoxygenase (LOX) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was observed supporting potential anti-inflammatory, anti-Alzheimer and insecticidal activities, mainly due to carvacrol. These properties support the potential use of oregano EOs as natural cosmetic and natural pharmaceutical ingredients.

Nanoemulsions formation from essential oil of Thymus capitatus and Majorana hortensis and their use in weed control

Essential oil formulation of Thymus capitatus L. (wild and cultivated thyme) and Majorana hortensis L. (marjoram) were investigated for allelopathic activity against Convolvulus arvensis and Setaria viridis seeds and seedling growth. Thymol, camphor, carvacrol, thujone, a-terpinene, borneol, p-cymene, carvacrol, 1,8-cineole, caryophyllene oxide, a-humulene a-pinene, borneol, â-pinene, caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, linalol and phellandrene were detected by GC-Ms analysis from the oil contents. Macroemulsion (Mac-E) and nanoemulsion (Nano-E) were formulated from oil by adding co-surfactant and surfactant. These formulations were subjected to stability stresses and were tested for herbicidal activity against C. arvensis seeds germination and seedling growth. Nanoemulsion had particle size of 5.3, 12.0 and 22.1 nm for M. hortensis, T. capitatus wild and T. capitatus cultivated, respectively. Depending on ED50M. hortensis (oils, Mac-E and Nano-E) exhibited strong allelopathic activity on C. arvensis, however, the lowest activity was achieved from T. capitatus cultivated followed by T. capitatus wild. The Nano-E exhibited pronounced post-emergence properties on (5–7 leaves stage) than others formulation on C. arvensis in greenhouse conditions.

Antifungal and antimycotoxigenic activity of essential oils from Eucalyptus globulus, Thymus capitatus and Schinus molle

Essential oils (EO) of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus L.), thymus (Thymus capitatus L.) pirul (Schinus molle L.) were evaluated for their efficacy to control Aspergillus parasiticus and Fusarium moniliforme growth and their ability to produce mycotoxins. Data from kinetics radial growth was used to obtain the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50). The IC50 was used to evaluate spore germination kinetic and mycotoxin production. Also, spore viability was evaluated by the MTT assay. All EO had an effect on the radial growth of both species. After 96 h of incubation, thymus EO at concentrations of 1000 and 2500 µL L–1 totally inhibited the growth of F. moniliforme and A. parasiticus, respectively. Eucalyptus and thymus EO significantly reduced spore germination of A. parasiticus. Inhibition of spore germination of F. moniliforme was 84.6, 34.0, and 30.6% when exposed to eucalyptus, pirul, and thymus EO, respectively. Thymus and eucalyptus EO reduced aflatoxin (4%) and fumonisin (31%) production, respectively. Spore viability was affected when oils concentration increased, being the thymus EO the one that reduced proliferation of both fungi. Our findings suggest that EO affect F. moniliforme and A. parasiticus development and mycotoxin production.

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activities of Tunisian Thymus capitatus L. Methanolic Extract

Thymus capitatus has traditionally been considered as an anthelmintic, antispasmodic, carminative, emmenagogue, expectorant, rubefactient, sedative, stimulant, and tonic. This work was carried out to determine total polyphenol and total flavonoids chemical composition of phenolics and to evaluate the antioxidant activities of the methanolic extract. Total phenolic contents were assayed using the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent, total flavonoid content was measured spectrophotometrically and phenolics were analyzed by reverse phase–high performance liquid chromatography. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and reducing power were calculated. Total phenols and total flavonoids varied significantly among the studied regions. Chromatographic analysis by reverse phase–high performance liquid chromatography showed that phenolic acids: tannic, gallic, chlorogenic hemihydrate, caffeic, syringic, ferulic, p-coumaric acid, and trans-cinnamic rosmarinic were the main compounds. The anti-radical activity was region-dependent and could be summarized as follows in ascending order: Boukornine > Kef > Bizerte > Grombelia. Reducing power in the four studied regions was stronger than positive control (ascorbic acid). From these results we have conclude that thyme methanolic extract may have a role in pharmaceutical preparations and preservatives as an antioxidant.

A contribution to the taxonomy and phytogeography of Orobanche alba Steph. ex Willd. (Orobanchaceae)

The authors present new knowledge on the biology and distribution of the poorly known Orobanche alba f. cuprea (= O. cuprea) and suggest its reclassification as a subspecies. Furthermore, the authors present recent data on biology and distribution of Orobanche alba subsp. xanthostigma. Distribution maps are shown for both taxa. Thymbra capitata and Thymus integer are recorded as new hosts for O. alba subsp. cuprea and Clinopodium vulgare s. l. for O. alba subsp. xanthostigma. Further information on the taxonomic assessment of other infraspecific taxa of O. alba are given as follows: O. alba f. maxima (= O. alba subsp. major) is promoted to the rank of variety based on a discovered earlier valid name; O. alba subsp. alba var. bidentata is rejected as an autonomous taxon and incorporated in the variability of the species.

Libyan Thymus capitatus essential oil: antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic and colon pathogen adhesion-inhibition properties.

In the present work, the Libyan wild-growing Thymus capitatus essential oil (EO) was evaluated for its biological properties. Carvacrol (68.19%) and thymol (12.29%) were found to be the main compounds of the oil. Antioxidant properties, determined by 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, revealed that IC50 values were 119, 403 and 105 μg ml(-1) for oil, thymol and carvacrol respectively. Microdilution method showed strong antibacterial and especially antifungal potential. Tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric assay indicated moderate cytotoxicity towards human cell lines MRC-5, HCT 116 and HT-29 (IC50 = 30-150 μg ml(-1)). In adhesion-inhibition assay oil and main compounds reduced adhesion of Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes on colon cells HT-29 (51 and 39% of inhibition against L. monocytogenes and E. coli respectively). Essential oil of Th. capitatus showed moderate cytotoxic activity, together with excellent antimicrobial effect, in particular against fungi, and significant potential to reduce pathogen colonization in colon. This is the first report that EO of Th. capitatus could protect against colonization of pathogens to colon epithelium. Thymus capitatus from Libya should be recognized as possible new source of natural antioxidants, antimicrobials as well as possible source of new chemotherapeutics.

Influence of harvesting time on composition of the essential oil of Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffmanns. & Link. growing wild in northern Sicily and its activity on microorganisms affecting historical art crafts

Influence of harvesting time on composition of the essential oil of Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffmanns. & Link. growing wild in northern Sicily and its activity on microorganisms affecting historical art crafts

Antimicrobial agents from selected medicinal plants in Libya.

To test the in vitro antimicrobial efficacy of water and methanol extracts of 23 plant species that are commonly used in Libyan folk medicine. The antimicrobial activity was determined using the well-diffusion method. Four test microorganisms were used namely, Escherichia coli, Salmonella species, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for the high biologically active crude plant extracts. Among 23 medicinal plants used in the study, only 5 methanolic extracts [Rosmarinus offcinalis L., Carduus marianium L., Lantana camara L., Rhus tripartite (ueria) Grande, and Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffm (link)] showed the highest antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Salmonella species, while 22 methanolic and aqueous extracts showed moderate to weak antimicrobial activity on all tested organisms. However 19 of the extracts showed no activity at all against Gram-ve and Gram +ve microorganisms. MIC was found to be 1.25 mg/mL (Thymus capitatus), 3 mg/mL (Rhus tripartite), 4 mg/mL (Carduus marianium), 5 mg/mL (Rosamarinus officinalis) and 5 mg/mL (Lantana camara), respectively. The present results revealed that, crude methanolic extracts of the investigated Libyan folk medicinal plants exhibited mild to high in vitro antibacterial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms.

Constraints on floral water status of successively blossoming Mediterranean plants under natural conditions

The water relations of showy laminar floral tissues (petals and tepals) were studied in 20 Mediterranean plants successively blossoming under ambient conditions. The water potential and osmotic potential of floral tissues decline according to the succession of the median day of flowering of the selected plant species. The highest (least negative) value of floral water potential (–0.32 MPa), among the examined species, was measured in petals of Anemone coronaria in March, and the lowest value (–1.25 MPa) in petals of Coridothymus capitatus in June. Low values of water potential of floral tissues coincided with constraints in declining values of osmotic potential at the onset of the dry period in the Mediterranean region; this apparently resulted in a reduction of turgor of floral tissues of Mediterranean plants subjected to water shortage. The reduced osmotic potential was correlated with enhanced soluble sugar content of floral tissues, presumably contributing to the expansion and water status of flowers under water scarcity, by decreasing water requirements.

Determination of Heavy Metals Contents of Some Monofloral Honey Produced in Turkey

In the present work, some element contents (Cd, Se, Cr, Pb, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn, Fe) of 23 different monofloral honey samples from different regions of Turkey were assessed. Origins of monofloral honey research materials are as follows; Pimpinella sp., Castanea sp., Astragalus sp., Onobrychis sp., Mentha sp., Coridothymus capitatus, Robinia pseudoacacia, Cedrus libani, Gossypium sp., Thymus sp., Euphorbia sp., Tilia sp., Eucalyptus sp., Ferula sp., Centaurea solstitialis, Petroselinum sp., Vitex agnus-castus, Helianthus annuus, Citrus sp., Pinus sp., Rhododendron sp., Arbutus sp., Ceratonia siliqua. Metal contents of samples were determined by wet combustion method in ASS machine. As a result of the study, heavy metal contents of honey samples were as follows; Cd

Antifungal activity of chemically different essential oils from wild Tunisian Thymus spp.

Essential oils isolated by using hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of Thymus algeriensis and Thymus capitatus Hoff. et Link. from different locations of Tunisia (Kef, Takelsa, Zaghouan, Fahs and Toukeber) were characterised. The chemical composition was analysed by using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, the major component of T. capitatus from Kef and T. algeriensis was thymol while carvacrol was the main component of T. capitatus from Zaghouan, Fahs and Toukeber. The antifungal activity of the oils and some pure components was assessed by the in vitro assay against several fungi and oomycetes. T. capitatus (chemotype carvacrol) exhibited the strongest antifungal activity followed by T. capitatus (chemotype thymol) and T. algeriensis, indicating that carvacrol might have a stronger antifungal activity than thymol.

Control of fungal pathogens of Citrus sinensis L by essential oil and hydrosol extract of Thymus capitatus L.

Essential oil, hydrosol extract and hydrosol of Thymus capitatus L. from Algeria were tested for antifungal activity against four phytopathogenic fungi (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryza, Penicillium italicum and Fusarium solani) causing the deterioration of Citrus sinensis fruits. Essential oil and hydrosol extract showed strong in vitro antifungal activity based on the inhibition zone and minimal inhibitory concentration values against the pathogens. Citrus sinensis fruits infected by Penicillium italicum were treated in vivo with essential oil, hydrosol extract and hydrosol. 0.2 μg/mL of Thymus hydrosol was needed for the absence of orange infection and causing 100 % mycelial growth inhibition. This activity can be correlated with chemical composition of extracts which are rich in carvacrol (more than 69 %). Therefore, the preventive and curative effects of T. capitatus essential oil and hydrosol could be exploited as an ideal alternative to synthetic fungicides for using in the treatment of many fungal phytopathogens causing severe destruction to oranges.

Flora y vegetación de un espacio periurbano singular: el Monte San Antón (Málaga, España). Flora and vegetation of a unique suburban area: Mount San Anton (Malaga, Spain)

Flora y vegetación de un espacio periurbano singular: el Monte San Antón (Málaga, España). El principal objetivo de este trabajo es realizar sendos catálogos de flora y comunidades vegetales y de su dinamismo sucesional en el espacio periurbano del Monte San Antón (Málaga, Andalucía, España). El macrobioclima es de tipo mediterráneo con termotipo termomediterráneo y ombrotipo seco. El área de estudio está compuesta geológicamente por materiales básicos, calizas jurásicas, junto a pequeñas zonas con materiales silíceos, filitas, esquistos, con geomorfología montañosa y altitudes entre 50 a 511 m. y se encuentra en la provincia fitogeográfica Bética (región Mediterránea), en el sector Malacitano-Axarquiense, unidad de los Montes de Málaga. El catálogo florístico se compone de 456 taxones, destacando endemismos con centro de origen en la provincia de Málaga, como Cytisus malacitanus o Sideritis reverchonii, y 3 especies amenazadas, destacando Convolvulus valentinus (EN). Se han inventariado 30 comunidades y asociaciones vegetales, entre las que destacan como novedades sintaxonómicas para el sector Malacitano-Axarquiense la presencia de Lythrion tribracteolati y de Resedo lanceolatae-Moricandion, representados por sendas comunidades basales, y como representativos los abundantes matorrales de Saturejo malacitanae-Coridothymetum capitati var. con Sideritis reverchonii (endemismo) y las formaciones con Cytisus malacitanus, también endemismo. El dinamismo sucesional se resume en una serie climatófila termomediterránea de Quercus rotundifolia y un grupo de comunidades permanentes incluidas en dos complejos topogénicos y edafogénicos de vegetación. Estos complejos se desarrollan en los frecuentes hábitats rocosos: uno en las bases de roquedos y cantiles, lapiaces y suelos esqueléticos (formaciones arbustivas de Rhamnus lycioides, espartales de Stipa tenacissima, matorrales de Coridothymus capitatus y escobonales de Cytisus malacitanus) y otro en acantilados y grietas de roca (caracterizados respectivamente por Asplenium petrarchae, Polypodium cambricum, Campanula mollis y Sedum sediforme).

English

Ethanolic extracts of six plants: Arum palaestinum Bioss, Urtica pilulifera L., Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav., Origanum syriacum L., Teucrium creticum L., and Teucrium polium L., used in Traditional Arabic Palestinian Herbal Medicine were evaluated for their antibacterial, anti-candida, and antidermatophyte activities using well diffusion, micro-dilution and food poisoned techniques. The extracts were tested against: six bacterial strains including Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae; five Candida albicans isolates, and two dermatophytes: Microsporum canis, and Trichophyton rubrum. The most active plants extracts were T. capitata and O. syriacum against the tested bacteria, while the remaining plant extracts did not express any activity or exhibited only very low activity against tested bacteria species and candida isolates. O. syriacum was also the most active plant against all Candida strains with inhibition zones that ranged from 22.5 to 29.5 mm. On the other hand, T. capitata extract showed the highest activity against the test dermatophytes (producing a complete inhibition at ≤ 45 µg/mL). Key words: Medicinal plants, antibacterial activity, antifungal activity, Arum palaestinum, Urtica pilulifera, Thymbra capitata, Origanum syriacum, Teucrium creticum, Tecrium polium.

RAPD for Assessment of Thymes Genetic Diversity in Palestine

Several thymes species were grown in Palestine and have socio-economical values. Traditionally, morphological features are used for their taxonomy and discrimination. However, these methods fail to provide an accurate for discrimination and authentication, suggesting the use of other method inevitable. In this study, RAPD method was used for genotypes identification and characterization of five most socio-economical Palestinian thymes: Thymus syriacus, Thymus fruticosus, Thymus incanus, Thymus majorana, and Thymus capitatus. Eight out of ten decamer primers were tested for their ability to generate polymorphism from selected thyme species using RAPD-PCR, and the obtained data were analyzed. The primers (OPD-19, OPH-02 and OPAN-08) were generated 78.6% average polymorphism across five studied Thyme species. Pairwise similarity analysis revealed banding patterns between the studied plant species ranged from 0.18 to 0.67. By this study, genetic diversities of studied five Palestinian Thyme species were ascertained successfully using RAPD markers, concluding that it could be useful tools for identifying Thymes species in any putative breeding programs that will be carried in the country.

RAPD for Assessment of Thymes Genetic Diversity in Palestine

Several thymes species were grown in Palestine and have socio-economical values. Traditionally, morphological features are used for their taxonomy and discrimination. However, these methods fail to provide an accurate for discrimination and authentication, suggesting the use of other method inevitable. In this study, RAPD method was used for genotypes identification and characterization of five most socio-economical Palestinian thymes: Thymus syriacus, Thymus fruticosus, Thymus incanus, Thymus majorana, and Thymus capitatus. Eight out of ten decamer primers were tested for their ability to generate polymorphism from selected thyme species using RAPD-PCR, and the obtained data were analyzed. The primers (OPD-19, OPH-02 and OPAN-08) were generated 78.6% average polymorphism across five studied Thyme species. Pairwise similarity analysis revealed banding patterns between the studied plant species ranged from 0.18 to 0.67. By this study, genetic diversities of studied five Palestinian Thyme species were ascertained successfully using RAPD markers, concluding that it could be useful tools for identifying Thymes species in any putative breeding programs that will be carried in the country.

Essential oils as biological alternatives to protect date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) against Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The aims of this research were to determine the chemical composition of the essential oil of three Tunisian plants and to evaluate their biological activity against eggs, larvae, and adult insects of Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller. The essential oils extracted from leaves of Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffmanns. & Link, Rosmarinus officinalis L. and needles of Pinus halepensis Mill. were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; 34, 16, and 56 constituents were identified, respectively. The major constituents were (Z)-caryophyllene (23.8%), β-myrcene (20.5%) and α-pinene (13.3%) in P. halepensis oil, carvacrol (66.9%), p-cymene (9.1%), and δ-terpinene (6.2%) in T. capitatus oil and 1,8-cineole (47.5%), camphor (14.9%), α-pinene (14.1%), and borneol (13.1%) in R. officinalis oil. The insecticidal effects of essential oils on eggs, larvae, and adults of E. ceratoniae were investigated. Ovicidal activity of oils was studied by spray on eggs while larvicidal and adulticidal activities were assessed by fumigation and spray. Number of hatched eggs was verified after 10 d, larva and adult mortalities were observed after 6, 12, and 24 h. Globally, eggs and larvae were the most resistant to the three different oils, needing higher doses to obtain a higher mortality. The spray method was most effective than fumigation. Essential oil extracted from T. capitatus proved to be very toxic towards E. ceratoniae on all three phases at the dose of 20 μL mL-1 (100% inhibition), followed by the oil from R. officinalis (90-100% inhibition), nevertheless, weak activity was obtained with P. halepensis oil (68.3-85% inhibition). Results obtained may suggest that the essential oils of T. capitatus and R. officinalis possess high insecticidal activity and therefore, can be used in biotechnological application as natural preservative in stored dates and could be useful in managing populations of E. ceratoniae in field.

Fatty-Acid Composition and Antifungal Activity of Extracts of Thymus capitatus

The aerial parts of Thymus capitatus were examined for fungicidal activities and analyzed for their fatty acids concentrations, using trans-esterification and gas chromatography mass spectroscopy analysis. Fifteen fatty acids were identified, accounting for 95.0 % of the lipid content. Two major fatty acids, α-linolenic (29.6 %) and linoleic (15.1 %), were found in abundance in the hexane extract. The effect of fatty acids and hexane extract on the growth of the plant pathogenic fungi isolated by citrus fruits—Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryza, Penicillium digitatum, and Fusarium solani—fungi were examined by in vitro studies. The fatty acids and hexane extract inhibited the mycelial growth of all strains tested.

Chemical composition and antiradical capacity of essential oils from Lebanese medicinal plants

Essential oils from five wild species growing in Lebanon and used in traditional medicine were obtained by hydrodistillation. Their chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography (GC) and GC–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and the major constituents were α-pinene in Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb. (68.8–86.8%, according to different organs), carvacrol in Thymbra spicata L. (65.8%) and Coridothymus capitatus (L.) Rchb. f. (47%), pulegone in Mentha spicata L. subsp. condensata (Briq.) Greuter & Burdet (32.8%) and 1,8-cineole in Salvia fruticosa (Mill.) K. Schum. (48.7%). Antiradical capacity of the essential oils was measured in vitro by the 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS⋅+) radical cation and 2,2-diphenyl-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH⋅) radical assays. A good agreement between the two tests was recorded: C. capitatus and T. spicata oils showed the highest ABTS⋅+ and DPPH⋅ radical-scavenging activity, possibly due to their high levels of carvacrol, whereas the lowest antiradical capacity was reported for J. excelsa oils.