Thymus Munbyanus Research Articles

Essential oils of Thymus munbyanus subsp. coloratus: chemical variability and evaluation of biological activities

The chemical compositions of Thymus munbyanus subsp. coloratus essential oils, an endemic plant in north Africa, were investigated using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The antioxidant activity of the studied essential oils was evaluated through 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,20-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) free-radical scavenging assays. Disc diffusion method and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination were applied to investigate the antimicrobial activity of Thymus munbyanus subsp. coloratus essential oil against ten bacterial and fungus strains. Fifty-one compounds were identified accounting for 90.3-95.9% of the total amount. Camphor (04.09-25.92%) was the major component in the essential oils obtained from five localities, followed by myrcene (00.66-17.11%) in four stations, then borneol (07.37-38.96%) in the essential oil obtained from three samples. The chemical variability of Thymus munbyanus subsp. coloratus essential oils was studied using statistical analysis, in which we found a direct relationship between geo climatic conditions and their chemical compositions. Thymus munbyanus subsp. coloratus essential oils exhibited a good radical-scavenging activity with IC50 values up to 0.250 ± 0.51 and 0.596 ± 0.15 (mg/mL) in reductive potential of ABTS and DPPH free radicals, respectively, and a significant antimicrobial activity against Gram positive bacteria and fungal species with MIC up to 0.66 ± 0.28 (mg/mL) against Aspergillus flavus.

Pharmacological, biological and phytochemical aspects of Thymus munbyanus Boiss. & Reut.: A review

Thymus munbyanus Boiss. & Reut., is a small shrub endemic to Morocco and Algeria, and it is commonly used to treat several diseases, including digestive, circulatory, genital, skin, urinary, nervous and respiratory diseases. The extracts of this thyme are rich in a wide variety of phenolic compounds such as polyphenols and volatile phenols and exhibit numerous biological activities. The present review summarizes the literature investigations reported on Thymus munbyanus concerning various pharmacological and biological properties as well as phytochemical aspects. This species revealed a richness in phenolic compounds in its volatile oils, including thymol and carvacrol, as well as in its non-volatile extracts including phenolic acids phenolic acids (rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, salvianolic acid, ferulic acid, etc.), flavonoids (luteolin, gallocatechin, quercetin, isorhamnetin, etc.). Moreover, powerful antioxidant and antimicrobial properties were reported for this Thymus species, which are attributed to its richness in bioactive antioxidants. Furthermore, this thyme was found to possess important nephroprotective, hepatoprotective, and tumor cytotoxic properties. In conclusion, Thymus munbyanus is an important natural source of bioactive phenolic compounds that can be used for developing alternative natural drugs for the treatment and prevention of several pathologies.

Biological activities of essential oils from Moroccan plants against the honey bee ectoparasitic mite, Varroa destructor

ABSTRACT This study describes the biological activities of six Moroccan essential oils against adults of Varroa destructor and young pupae of A. mellifera under laboratory conditions. The obtained results show that the tested essential oils exhibit a toxic and repellent effect against V. destructor adults and are less toxic for young pupae of A. mellifera. Indeed, Thymus willdenowii essential oil exhibits the highest acaricidal effect against V. destructor adults (LC50 = 1.04 and LC90 = 5.12 µL/L air), followed by Thymus munbyanus (LC50 = 2.26 and LC90 = 6.78 µL/L air), Lavandula maroccana (LC50 = 2.49 and LC90 = 8.41 µL/L air) and Mentha pulegium (LC50 = 3.19 and LC90 = 9.66 µL/L air). The highest repellent effect for the studied essential oils against V. destructor adults was observed for T. willdenowii essential oil (ED50 = 0.42 and ED90 = 1.26 µL/L air). Regarding the insecticidal effect, all tested essential oils revealed lower toxicity against young pupae of A. mellifera compared to their acaricidal activity. Artemisia herba-alba essential oil (LC50 = 10.53 µL/L air, LC90 = 18.62 µL/L air) produces high mortality against young pupae of A. mellifera among tested essential oils. The bioactivities of different essential oils were discussed based on their bioactive compounds.

Phytochemical Study and Antioxidant Activities of the Water-Soluble Aerial Parts and Isolated Compounds of Thymus munbyanus subsp. ciliatus (Desf.) Greuter & Burdet

The present study aimed to determine the phenolic compounds present in the water-soluble extracts of Thymus munbyanus subsp. ciliatus using high pressure liquid chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MS). These phenolic compounds were further isolated and characterized for their antioxidant activities. The aerial parts of T. munbyanus subsp. ciliatus were air dried, powdered, and extracted using water:methanol three times. The concentrated hydromethanolic extract was further dissolved in H2O, filtered, and successively extracted using ethyl acetate, chloroform, and n-butanol. T. munbyanus extracts were further purified using column chromatography, and the purified extracts were subjected to in vitro antioxidant assays. Two previously undescribed compounds, namely methyl 2,3,5,6-tetrahydroxybenzoate and 4-hydroxy-5-methoxy-2-oxo-2H-pyran-3-carboxylic acid, and 14 known compounds, including 3 flavonoids; namely 3',5,5',7-tetrahydroxyflavanone, luteolin, and isorhamnetin-3-O-β-glucoside; a sterol glucoside named daucosterol; and 10 phenolic compounds, namely salicylic acid, ferulic acid, pluchoic acid, ethyl caffeate, methyl caffeate, protocatechuic acid, rosmarinic acid, p-coumaric acid, tyrosol, and protocatechuic aldehyde, were isolated from ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts. The isolated compounds were characterized using 1D-2D-1H-13C nuclear magnetic resonance and MS methods. The compounds isolated from ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts exhibited excellent antioxidant and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activities. All these results highlighted the antioxidant potential of the isolated phenolic compounds and extracts, which could be further utilized for different pharmacological applications.

Phytochemical Composition and Insecticidal Activities of Essential oil of Thymus munbyanus (Lamiales: Lamiaceae) Aerial Parts and Its Properties Against Biomarkers of Ephestia kuehniella zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

This research aimed to assess the chemical composition of the essential oil (EO) of Thymus munbyanus subsp. coloratus cultivated in Annaba (Northeast Algeria) and to evaluate its potential insecticidal activity against newly molted pupae of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The yields of EO calculated from the dry matter of the aerial part of the plant were estimated at 2.56 % (w / w). Its chemical composition has been analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC / MS). 54 Compounds were identified and the main components were carvacrol (39.11 %), paracymene (15.47 %), and thymoquinone (10.59 %). In preliminary bioassays, various doses (5, 15, 25, 40, and 100 μl / mL) of the T. munbyanus EO were tested on newly molted pupae and the inhibition doses (ID) of adult emergence were determined. In a follow-up experiment, EO of T. munbyanus applied at its ID25(15.38 μl / mL) and ID50(25.22 μl / mL) was evaluated on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and glutathion S-transferases (GSTs) activities. Biomarkers measurements in the treated pupae and adults (ID25 and ID50) revealed an inhibition in AChE activity and activation of the detoxification system as evidenced by induction in GSTs activities. Lastly, our results proved the potential use of this material as an alternative to synthetic insecticides for controlling stored product pests.

The antioxidant study proprieties of Thymus munbyanus aqueous extract and its beneficial effect on 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid -induced hepatic oxidative stress in albino Wistar rats

Herein, we investigated the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of thyme (Thymus munbyanus: AETM) on 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4 -D) - induced liver oxidative damage in rats. The phytochemical study of AETM revealed potent antioxidant properties owed to its richness in phenolic compounds including flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic acids. Further, in vivo animal study was conducted on 24 Wistar rats divided equally into control group and three treated groups, receiving orally AETM (10 ml/kg body weight (b.w), 2,4-D (5 mg/kg (b.w) and AETM + 2,4 – D (combined treatment) for 30 consecutive days. The results showed a significant increase in the enzymatic activity of transaminases (AST, ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonyl proteins (CPO), along with a significant decrease in plasma total protein, albumin, hepatic glutathione (GSH) contents, and the enzymatic activity of the hepatic antioxidant markers (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione- S- transferase (GST)) in 2,4- D treatment compared with control. Moreover, no significant changes in these parameters were noticed in AETM treated animals as compared to control, and hence the combined treatment (AETM + 2,4- D) showed a marked enhancement in the above altered hepatic functional and antioxidant parameters and liver histopathology. In conclusion, AETM, owing to its richness with phenolic compounds proved to be an efficient antioxidant against 2,4-D - induced liver oxidative damage, and hence complementary studies would be needed to appear the use of these compounds as supplements in treating liver impairment.

Protective effect of Thymus munbyanus aqueous extract against 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats

The aim of the present study was to examine the possible protective effects of the aqueous extract of Thymus munbyanus (TMAE) against 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)-induced oxidative stress and renal injury in the kidney of male albino rats. Furthermore, TMAE was assessed to determine the phenolic content. In vitro, antioxidant activities were evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging, inhibition of β-carotene bleaching, and reducing power. The results showed that TMAE contained high amounts of phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins. Additionally, 24 rats were randomly divided into four groups: a control group, and three groups treated with TMAE (10 mL/kg body weight), 2,4-D (5 mg/kg body weight), and 2,4-D/combined with the TMAE for 4 weeks. Treatment with 2,4-D induced kidney dysfunctions demonstrated as an increase in the potential markers of renal filtration, namely urea and creatinine, associated with a decrease in uric acid. Moreover, 2,4-D increased malondialdehyde and carbonyl protein levels. Additionally, reduced glutathione (GSH) content, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities were significantly decreased. Our results demonstrated that oral TMAE supplementation in 2,4-D-treated rats improved and restored some blood parameters and alleviated the adverse cytotoxic effects of 2,4-D by increasing certain antioxidants, consequently attenuating the intensity of oxidative stress induced by 2,4-D; this was confirmed by the histological improvements observed in the kidneys. In conclusion, TMAE demonstrated potential as a natural antioxidant, effectively alleviating 2,4-D induced kidney oxidative injury.

Chemical variability of essential oils of three subspecies of Thymus munbyanus Boiss. & Reut. from Western Algeria

ABSTRACT Chemical composition of the essential oils of three subspecies of Algerian Thymus munbyanus Boiss. & Reut. (subsp. abylaeus, subsp. ciliatus and subsp. coloratus) aerial parts have been investigated. GC and GC/MS analysis allowed the identification of sixty-eight compounds accounting for 99.3%, 99.7% and 98.2% of collective essential oils of three subspecies. The main components of three collective essential oils were: α-terpinyl acetate (51.7%), α-terpineol (9.7%), borneol (6.8%) and bornyl acetate (5.2%) for subsp. abylaeus; carvacrol (65.7%), γ-terpinene (13.6%) and p-cymene (7.9%) for subsp. ciliatus and camphor (25.9%), myrcene (16.9%), 1,8-cineole (6.5%) and camphene (6.2%) for subsp. coloratus. Intra-species variations of chemical compositions of essential oil from thirty-five Algerian samples were also investigated using statistical analysis. Essential oils samples were discriminated in three main clusters confirming relation between the chemical compositions and taxonomical differentiation between the three subspecies. These results confirm chemotaxonomic differentiation of all subspecies of T. munbyanus.

Total phytochemical analysis of Thymus munbyanus subsp. coloratus from Algeria by HS-SPME-GC-MS, NMR and HPLC-MSn studies

In this article, we report a comprehensive characterization of volatile and polar constituents extracted from the aerial parts of Thymus munbyanus subsp. coloratus, a shrub that is used as culinary ingredient and as traditional medicine in Algeria, mainly to treat respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders and endocrine dysfunctions. Headspace solid phase microextraction (HS‐SPME) coupled with gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to assess volatile constituents, whereas the phytochemical composition of solid residues obtained from extraction with solvents at diffrent polarity was obtained by an integrated Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MSn) approach. Fourty-five apolar ccompounds were identified, mainly oxygenated monoterpenes (65.8%), sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and nonoterpene hydrocarbons (18.6 and 14.5%, respectively). On the other hand, LC-MSn and NMR analyses revealed the presence of aglyconic and glycosilated flavonoids, phenylpropanoid derivatives and triterpenoid acids related to oleanolic acid, mainly in the methanol, dichloromethane and hexane extracts. Overall, these data indicate that Thymus munbyanus subsp. coloratus could be a potential source of antioxidants and bioactive compounds, and our results represent a starting point for further research on this plant species.

Anticorrosion properties of Thymus munbyanus Boiss & Reut

The analysis of essential oil of Thymus munbyanus Boiss & Reut (TM oil) by GC and led to the identification of 32 components accounting for (97.8%) of the total oils were identified. The main compounds of essential oils of Thymus munbyanus were carvacrol (31.7%), g-terpinene (21.9%), p-cymene (14.7%), thymol (7.6%), linalool (4.3%), borneol (3.9%) and α-terpinene (2.1%). The inhibitive effect of TM oil on the corrosion of mild steel in 1M HCl solution has been investigated by weight loss measurement as well as potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The corrosion rate calculated by polarization potentiodynamic curves obtained after 30min from immersion in 1M HCl medium. The gravimetric results indicate that TM oil exhibited good inhibition efficiency in 1M HCl solution. The polarization measurements showed that the studied inhibitor is a mixed type with a significant reduction of cathodic and anodic current densities. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements revealed that the charge transfer resistance increased by increasing the essential oil concentration, which suggests Langmuir isotherm model as a most suitable adsorption mechanism.

Essential oils (EOs), pressurized liquid extracts (PLE) and carbon dioxide supercritical fluid extracts (SFE-CO2) from Algerian Thymus munbyanus as valuable sources of antioxidants to be used on an industrial level

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the potential of extracts from Algerian Thymus munbyanus as a valuable source of antioxidants for use on an industrial level. To this end, a study was conducted on the composition and antioxidant activities of essential oils (EOs), pressurized liquid extracts (PLE) and supercritical fluid extracts (SFE-CO2) obtained from Thymus munbyanus subsp. coloratus (TMC) and subsp. munbyanus (TMM). EOs and SFE-CO2 extracts were analysed by GC-FID and GC×GC-TOFMS revealing significant differences. A successive extraction of the solid SFE-CO2 residue by PLE extraction with solvents of increasing polarity such as acetone, ethanol and water, was carried out. The extracts were evaluated for total phenolic content by Folin–Ciocalteu assay, while the antioxidant power was assessed by DPPH, FRAP, and ORAC assays. SFE-CO2 extracts were also analysed for their tocopherol content. The antioxidant activity of PLE extracts was found to be higher than that of SFE-CO2 extracts, and this increased with solvent polarity (water > ethanol > acetone). Overall, these results support the use of T. munbyanus as a valuable source of substances to be used on an industrial level as preservative agents.

Essential Oil of Thymus munbyanus subsp. coloratus from Algeria: Chemotypification and in vitro Biological Activities.

Thymus munbyanus subsp. coloratus (Lamiaceae) is a small shrub endemic to Algeria and Morocco where is found in lawns, rockeries and mountainous regions. From a phytochemical point of view this taxon has never been characterized. In this work we have analysed the chemical compositions of the essential oils obtained from inflorescences and vegetative parts by GC/MS. A new chemotype, i.e. borneol-chemotype, was characterized for the first time in the species. Furthermore, we assessed the biological activities of essential oils, namely the antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxicity on tumor cells that were evaluated by the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP, disc diffusion, and MTT methods, respectively. Biological assays highlighted a moderate inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans (inhibition zone diameter in the range 9 - 10 mm), and noteworthy cytotoxicity on A375 human melanoma cells (IC50 of 46.95 μg/ml).

Ammoides pusilla (Apiaceae) and Thymus munbyanus (Lamiaceae) from Algeria essential oils: chemical composition, antimicrobial, antioxidant and antiproliferative activities

The chemical composition, and antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-proliferative activities of the essential oils of Ammoides pusilla (Apiaceae) and Thymus munbyanus (Lamiaceae), collected in Algeria, were studied. Cumin alcohol (44%), p-cymene (18%), limonene (14%), thymol (11%) and γ-terpinene (7%) predominated in A. pusilla essential oil, whereas carvacrol (71%) was dominant in T. munbyanus essential oil. The antibacterial activity of A. pusilla and T. munbyanus essential oils was studied by the agar diffusion method against Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica serovar Thyphimurium, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. The tested bacteria were more susceptible to T. munbyanus essential oil. Ammoides pusilla essential oil was the most effective for scavenging the free radicals. Ammoides pusilla essential oil also had the best reducing power as well as the highest lipid peroxidation inhibition. Thymus munbyanus essential oil showed the best anti-proliferative activity of human acute monocytic leukemia cell line (THP-1).

Phytothérapie et taxonomie des plantes médicinales spontanées dans la région de Tiaret (Algérie)

This research aims to analyze the floristic (chorology and biology), taxonomic (botanical description and identification), and herbal (uses and treated diseases) properties of the inventory of medicinal plants of Guezoul located at the north end of Tiaret. For the phytoecological plots made recently in the region, we used the database for this inventory. The selections of species for medicinal and therapeutic indications were made using an ethnobotanical survey carried out mainly with the local population, and some herbalists and healers in the region. We also used different bibliographic items for comparison. This allowed us to distinguish 66 species of herbs. Of these, 60 are shown in our investigation, and other species are only cited in the literature and seem unknown in the region. These plants are mainly Mediterranean, and fall under 39 different botanical families dominated by Orchidaceae and aromatic Lamiaceae plants rich in essential oils. They are used in the digestive system’s treatment, internal diseases (diabetes, liver, etc.), and urinary tract. Also, we present in this study some taxonomic clarification of medicinal species, refining botanical identification with four subspecies identified. Finally, we propose three new taxa for the medicinal flora in Algeria: Thymus munbyanus Boiss. & Reut. subsp. munbyanus, Allium roseum L. subsp. roseum, and Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach.

Analysis and Antioxidant Activity of the Essential Oils of Ferula vesceritensis Coss. et Dur. and Thymus munbyanus Desf

The essential oils from leaves of Thymus munbyanus Desf. and Ferula vesceritensis Coss et Dur. were analyzed by GC and GC-MS and assayed for their antioxidant activities. Eighty nine components representing 93 - 96.8 % of the oils were characterized. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (37.0 %) and oxygen-containing sesquiterpenes (47.8 %) were the predominant classes in the oil of F. vescertentis with viridiflorol (13.4 %), δ-cadinene (10.1 %) and famesol (8.1 %) as major constituents; while oxygen-containing monoterpenes (66.4 %) was the most prominent group in T. munbyanus oil with carvacrol (35.2 %) and thymol (18.5 %) as the main constituents. The antioxidant activities of the essential oils were evaluated by DPPH free radical-scavenging and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assays. For both tests, T. munbyanus oil showed potent activity, similar to that of BHT, mainly for high concentrations, whereas F. vesceritensis oil showed moderate activity.

Neuroscience

Traditional medicine has been used worldwide for centuries to cure or prevent disease and for male or female contraception. Only a few studies have directly investigated the effects of herbal compounds on spermatozoa. In this study, essential oil from Thymus munbyanus was extracted and its effect on human spermatozoa in vitro was analysed. Gas chromatography and Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analyses identified 64 components, accounting for 98.9% of the composition of the oil. The principal components were thymol (52.0%), γ-terpinene (11.0%), ρ-cymene (8.5%) and carvacrol (5.2%). Freshly ejaculated spermatozoa was exposed from control individuals to various doses of the essential oil for different time periods, and recorded the vitality, the mean motility, the movement characteristics (computer-aided sperm analysis), the morphology and the ability to undergo protein hyperphosphorylation and acrosomal reaction, which constitute two markers of sperm capacitation and fertilizing ability. In vitro, both the essential oil extracted from T. munbyanus and thymol, the principal compound present in this oil, impaired human sperm motility and its capacity to undergo hyperphosphorylation and acrosome reaction. These compounds may, therefore, be of interest in the field of reproductive biology, as potential anti-spermatic agents.