Thymus Serrulatus Research Articles

Toxicity and Oviposition Deterrent Activities of Thyme Essential Oils against Anopheles arabiensis

Background. Malaria is one of the deadliest mosquito-borne diseases in sub-Saharan Africa and Ethiopia. Owing to their costs and environmental issues, synthetic insecticides are poor choices to control mosquitoes. Plant-based products can be considered as safe and biodegradable alternatives. The present study aimed to test the toxicity and oviposition deterrent activities of Thymus serrulatus and Thymus schimperi essential oils (EOs) against Anopheles arabiensis. Methods. Thyme EOs were extracted by hydrodistillation using the Clevenger-type apparatus. They were named Tar, Ala, and Yil after the areas of thyme collection Tarmaber, Alamata, and Yilmana Densa, respectively. Laboratory-based tests were used to determine the larvicidal, adulticidal, oviposition deterrent, and half lethal dose (LD50) of each EO. Results. The concentrations of 100 μl/L and 50 μl/L resulted in complete mortalities of larvae and adults, respectively, for all the three Eos considered. The EOs exhibited high repellency with oviposition activity index of −1 (OAI = −1) at concentrations of 50 μl/L (Tar), 100 μl/L (Ala), and 200 μl/L (Yil). Conclusions. The EOs of T. serrulatus and T. schimperi were effective against larvae and adult mosquitoes at small doses and resulted in oviposition deterrence at doses from 50 to 200 μl/L. Thus, these EOs are promising mosquitocides and oviposition deterrents. But, further tests both in the presence of already known and effective deterrents and field trials are required.

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Potential, and Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of Aqueous Extract and Essential Oil of Thymus Serrulatus Hochst. Ex Benth.

Thymus serrulatus, an endemic plant of Ethiopia, is traditionally used to cure various diseases and as a food ingredient. In the Ethiopian folk medicine, the decoction is orally taken as a remedy to treat diabetes and high blood pressure. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant and antihyperglycemic effects of the aqueous extract and of the essential oil of Thymus serrulatus. The chemical composition of the aqueous extract was determined by LC-MS and the essential oil was characterized by GC-MS analysis. Radical scavenging assays, namely scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•), hydroxyl (•OH), and nitric oxide (•NO), were used as a first approach to screen the potential antioxidant abilities of the samples. Alpha-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory studies were also employed to evaluate the in vitro antihyperglycemic potential of the plant. The in vivo blood glucose lowering effect of the extracts was assessed using hypoglycemic activity and the oral glucose tolerance test in normal and in streptozotocin induced diabetic mice. When compared to the aqueous extract, the essential oil showed superior radical scavenging activity, particularly for •NO, as well as greater inhibitory potency against α-amylase and α-glucosidase (IC50 = 0.01 mg/ml and 0.11 mg/ml, respectively). Both tested samples showed a statistically significant antihyperglycemic effect. The aqueous extract at 600 mg/kg exerted maximum antihyperglycemic activity (44.14%), followed by the essential oil (30.82%). Body weight and glucose tolerance parameters were also improved by the samples both in normal and diabetic mice. The findings of this study support the hypothesis that aqueous extract and essential oil of T. serrulatus are promising therapeutic agents.

Possible Tracheal Relaxant and Antimicrobial Effects of the Essential Oil of Ethiopian Thyme Species (Thymus serrulatus Hochst. ex Benth.): A Multiple Mechanistic Approach.

The genus Thymus is traditionally used for the treatment of hyperactive airways complaints. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the potential tracheal relaxant effect and possible mechanism(s) of the essential oil of Thymus serrulatus (TS Oil) in isolated guinea pig tracheal tissues. The essential oil was obtained from the fresh erial parts of Thymus serrulatus, and its phyto-components were identified by GC-MS analysis. Guinea pig tracheal preparations were used for testing the tracheal relaxant effect of TS Oil with the determination of the mechanism(s) involved in this relaxation. GC-MS findings reveal that terpenes, fragrance constituents, saponins, and higher fatty acids are present in TS Oil. In isolated guinea pig trachea, TS Oil inhibited carbachol (CCh, 1 µM) and K+ (80 mM)-induced contractions in a pattern similar to that of dicyclomine. TS Oil, at 0.3 mg/ml, shifted parallel CCh-curves towards the right, followed by a non-parallel shift at higher concentration (1 mg/ml), thus suppressing maximum response in the same manner as produced by dicyclomine. Pretreatment of tissues with TS Oil (1 and 3 mg/ml) also produced a rightward shift of Ca++ concentration-response curves (CRCs) in the same manner as caused by verapamil. Further, TS Oil at low concentrations (0.3 and 1 mg/ml) shifted isoprenaline-induced inhibitory CRCs towards the left and increased cAMP levels in isolated tracheal homogenates similar to papaverine, a phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor. In the antimicrobial assay performed by the agar well diffusion method, TS Oil was found most active against Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus where the zone of inhibition measured was 28 mm. Additionally, there was little difference between standard strains of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. However, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) showed a small zone of inhibition as compared to standard strains (22 mm). From these results, it can be concluded that the essential oil of T. serrulatus has the potential to produce antimicrobial effects while causing tracheal relaxation mediated possibly by anticholinergic effects, Ca++ channel blockade, and PDE inhibition whereas additional mechanism(s) cannot be ruled out.

Protective Effect of Thymus serrulatus Essential Oil on Cadmium-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats, through Suppression of Oxidative Stress and Downregulation of NF-κB, iNOS, and Smad2 mRNA Expression.

The purpose of the research was to examine the protective effect of essential oil from Thymus serrulatus Hochst. ex Benth. (TSA oil) against cadmium (Cd)-induced renal toxicity. The experimental protocol was designed using 30 healthy adult Wistar albino rats allocated into five groups containing six animals in each group. Group 1 was treated as normal control and groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 were treated with cadmium chloride (CdCl2, 3 mg/kg, IP) for 7 days. Group 3 was also treated with silymarin (100 mg/kg, PO) as a standard group, while groups 4 and 5 were administered with TSA oil at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg PO, respectively. The nephrotoxicity was measured with various parameters such as kidney function markers, oxidative stress markers (glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA)), and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression levels of inflammatory factors. The histological studies were also evaluated in the experimental protocol. The CdCl2-treated groups showed a significant increase in the levels of serum kidney function markers along with MDA levels in kidney homogenate. However, renal GSH level was found to be reduced significantly. It was found that CdCl2 significantly upregulated the nuclear factor levels of kappaB (NF-κB p65), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and small mothers against decapentaplegic (Smad2) as compared to the normal control group. On the other hand, TSA oil significantly improved the increased levels of serum kidney function markers, non-enzymatic antioxidants, and lipid peroxidation. In addition, TSA oil significantly downregulated the increased expression of NF-κB p65, iNOS, and Smad2 in Cd-intoxicated rats. Moreover, the histological changes in the tissue samples of the kidney of Cd-treated groups were significantly ameliorated in the silymarin- and TSA-oil-treated groups. The present study reveals that TSA oil ameliorates Cd-induced renal injury, and it is also proposed that the observed nephroprotective effect could be due to the antioxidant potential of TSA oil and healing due to its anti-inflammatory action.

Antibacterial activity of essential oils from Ethiopian thyme (Thymus serrulatus and Thymus schimperi) against tooth decay bacteria.

In this study, we evaluated the antibacterial activities of the essential oils (EOs) of Thymus serrulatus and Thymus schimperi collected from Ofla (Ofl), Alamata (Ala), Yilmana Densa (Yil), Tarmaer (Tar), Butajira (Buta), and Bale (Bal) in Ethiopia against cariogenic bacteria (Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus) isolated from human teeth. Inhibition zones (IZs), minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were measures of the antibacterial activity. Significant bacterial inhibitions resulted in a dose-and EO-dependent manner. At 128 μl/mL, IZs against S. mutans were 37.33 mm (Tar), 36.00 mm (Bal), 33.67 mm (Yil), 33.33 mm (Ofl), 30.00 (Ala), and 29.67 mm (Buta) and IZs against Lactobacillus were 31.00 mm (Tar), 30.67 mm (Yil), 27.67 (Bal), 27.00 (Buta), 26.67 (Ofl), and 21.33 (Ala). The respective inhibition zones due to 3% DMSO (negative control) and 3% H2O2 (positive control) were 0.00 mm/30.00 mm against S. mutans and 0.00 mm/29.00 mm against Lactobacillus. At 128 μl/mL dose, all the EOs resulted in significantly higher inhibition zones than that of 3% H2O2 against S. mutans and Lactobacillus.

Phytochemical Constituents, Safety and Efficacy Study of Thymus schimperi and Thymus serrulatus

Background: The genus Thymus is one of the most taxonomically complex genera in the Lamiaceae family and it includes 250- 350 taxa (species and varieties). T. serrulatus Hochst. ex Benth and T. schimperi Ronniger are the two species of thymus which are endemic to Ethiopia; locally known as Tosign. According to WHO 2018 report, NCDs (non-communicable disease) are estimated to account for 39% of all deaths in Ethiopia and Infectious diseases also represent a continuous and increasing threat to human health in developing countries like Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, 80% of the population use plant remedies or medicinal plants over centuries. Objective: The present study aimed to review Phytochemical-constituents, Safety and Efficacy Study of Thymus schimperi and Thymus Serrulatus. Method: A web-based literature search was done by using scientific databases including Pub Med, Science Direct, Google Scholar and Scopus. Searching was made using key words: Thymus, Thymus schimperi, Thymus Serrulatus, phytochemistry, pharmacology, ethnomedicine, efficacy and safety. Results: T. serrulatus grows in Tigray, Gondar, Bale, in the highlands of Semien Shoa and Wollo whereas T. schimperi is widely distributed in Oromia, Amhara and Southern Nations Nationalities & Peoples Regions. T. serrulatus and T. schimperi belong to the chemotypes Carvacrol-Thymol. Carvacrol (63%), thymol (36%-38%), Thymol (49%) are the major constituent of the essential oil of T. schimperi collected from Bale, T. schimperi from Gonder, Shewa & Wello, T. serrulatus from the Tigray region respectively. Treatment of mice with 2000 mg/kg dose of the essential oil of T. schimperi caused 50% mortality indicating that it’s the LD50 is about 2000 mg/kg. However, n-butanol fraction of the aqueous and crude methanol leaf extract T. serrulatus with the oral limit dose of 5,000 mg/kg showed no sign of overt behavioral changes and toxicity where the LD50 were above 10,000 mg/kg. n-butanol fraction and the crude aqueous extract of T. serrulatus has exhibited an increase in urine volume with the highest urine output at the highest dose (1,000 mg/kg) and an appreciable diuretic activity of 94% and 92% respectively. Conclusion and Recommendation: The essential oil of T. schimperi did not cause a rise in serum enzyme level and major organ damage (kidney and liver), but the dose range of 2000 mg/kg causes 50% mortality. The n-butanol fraction of crude aqueous leaf extract of T. serrulatus showed an increase in urine volume with the highest urine output at the highest dose (1,000 mg/kg) and appreciable diuretic activity (94%). Additional chemical isolation, development of dosage form, clinical trial and toxicological study is recommended.

Composition and hepatoprotective activity of essential oils from Ethiopian thyme species (Thymus serrulatus and Thymus schimperi)

ABSTRACTThe chemical composition of six essential oils (EOs) of Thymus serrulatus and Thymus schimperi from six localities in Ethiopia, namely Ofla, Alamata, Yilmana Densa, Tarmaber, Butajira and Bale was determined. The in vivo hepatoprotective potential of three of the EOs was evaluated. GC-MS and NMR were used to determine chemical composition and GC-FID to quantify the main compounds. The number of EO components ranged from 17 to 41. The EOs were of two chemotypes with either thymol (Ofla, Alamata, Tarmaber and Bale) or carvacrol (Yilmana Densa and Butajira) being the main compound. Hepatoprotection of EOs was tested against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar albino rats. Hepatoprotective properties of the oils were demonstrated by reduced serum levels of hepatic marker enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP) and normal hepatocytes structure. The most effective one was the thymol type EO from Alamata.

SOME PLANT EXTRACTS AGAINST ANTHRACNOSE INFECTION IN PAPAYA (Carica papaya)

Wherever the papaya is grown, the foremost post-harvest disease is Anthracnose through Colletotrichum gloeosporioidesinfection. The current research was conducted to evaluating plant extracts activity against to manage infection in hold on fruit in eachlaboratory and field conditions. Plant specimens were collected from native area. The wood alcohal extract of Echinops sp. of 10 ¼L from the concentration of 50 mg/ml resulted within the highest inhibition zone of 13.5 mm against mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioides. Spore germination of C. gloeosporioides was reduced by 97.6%, 96.8% and 96.2% over the management by extracts of Echinops sp., Thymus serrulatus and Ocimum lamifolium, severally. Among four botanicals evaluated in vivo as 10% and 25% binarycompound extracts, Echinops sp. at 25% concentration showed disease severity score at 1.3 out of 5 and maintained quality of papaya fruit throughout 14 days experimental period. Further study is critical on sensory analysis and developing botanicals as natural fungicides.

Acute oral toxicity study of <i>Thymus serrulatus</i> and <i>Thymus schimperi</i> from Ethiopia

Thymus serrulatus and Thymus schimperi both endemic to Ethiopia are used by the public as tea and food additives. They are claimed to have some sort of toxicity. However, no toxicity test has been conducted to date. So the present study aimed to test the acute oral toxicities of their Essential Oils (EOs). T. serrulatus was collected from Ofla (Ofl), Alamata (Ala), and Yilmana Densa (Yil) and T. schimperi from Tarmaber (Tar), Butajira (Buta), and Bale (Bal). The control group (Group I) mice were administered with calculated amounts of 0.1% Tween-80 in normal saline. Experimental group (Groups II to VI), on the other hand, were delivered with 2000 μL/Kg body weight of Ofl, Ala, Yil, Tar, Buta and Bal EOs respectively. Treated and control mice were observed, and changes were recorded for 14 days. On the 14th day, after mice were humanely killed by heart puncture method, their organs were weighed, organ to body weight ratios were calculated and packed cell volumes (PCVs) were determined. Growth rate decrease was observed in mice treated with Yil and Buta EOs (carvacrol chemotypes) than in those treated with the thymol chemotypes (Ofl, Ala, Tar, and Bal). The organ to body weight ratios of the control group were either significantly higher than or comparable to that of the treatment groups implying that the EOs had no any inflammatory effects on the organs. The % PCVs of mice treated with the EOs were either significantly higher than or comparable to the control mice. The median lethal dose (LD50) of each EO was between 2000 μL/kg to 5000 μL/kg body weight. The LD50 values of the dry weights of thyme were calculated based on their EO yields that were approximated to be around 278g /kg bw (Bal), 313g /kg bw (Yil, Tar, and Buta) and 500g /kg bw (Ofl and Ala). Since the aerial parts, not the EOs, of thyme are used in the form of tea and food additives (not their EOs), this value is so high that these plants are not toxic. However, cautions should be taken for vulnerable groups.Key words: Acute Toxicity, Thymus serrulatus, Thymus schimperi, Essential oils

An Ethno Botanical Review on Medicinal Plants Used for the Management of Hypertension

Hypertension has become one of the most principal growing health problems in developing countries, and is an important cause of cardiovascular death in the world. It is also called the silent killer as it usually shows no direct symptoms and many people die of the disease without understanding its. Despite their availability and effectiveness, the conventional drugs used for the treatment of hypertension have caused adverse side effects and increased the risks of developing new diseases. Herbal medicines, therefore, are gaining great demand and more importance in the treatment of hypertension because of their wide biological and medicinal activities, higher safety margins and lesser cost. Accordingly this review article mainly focuses on medicinal plants used for the management of hypertension in Ethiopia and provides a list of sixty six anti-hypertensive plants obtained from various sources. Furthermore, the review briefly describes the photochemistry and pharmacological properties of Moringa stenopetala, Thymus serrulatus, Thymus schimperi, Syzygium guineense and Calpurnea aurea. The purpose of this review is to create baseline data for future pharmacological and phytochemical investigations involving traditional medicinal plants used for treating hypertension and to preserve the traditional knowledge.

English

Medicinal plants constitute natural source of antimicrobial drugs that will provide essential compounds to fight against disease. In this study, the antibacterial activity of ethanol extracts of Moringa stenopetala, Thymus serrulatus, and Terminalia brownii were investigated against selected pathogenic Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. In vitro antibacterial activities of the ethanol extracts were tested at a concentration of 50, 25, and 12.5 mg/ml by using agar disc diffusion method and zone of inhibitions were determined. Furthermore, minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined for plants that showed antibacterial activity (>15 mm zone of inhibition). The results indicated that only T. serrulatus and T. brownii exhibited antimicrobial activity against one or more test pathogens. Both extracts of these plants showed strong and dose dependent activity when compared with M. stenopetala which demonstrated no activity. Interestingly, T. serrulatus showed broad spectrum activity against the tested bacteria. Therefore, ethanol extracts of T. serrulatus and T. brownii showed promising antimicrobial activity justifying their usage in traditional medicine.   Key words: Antibacterial, Ethiopia, Moringa stenopetala, Terminalia brownii, Thymus serrulatus.

Diuretic activity of the aqueous crude extract and solvent fractions of the leaves of Thymus serrulatus in mice.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the diuretic activity and acute toxicity profile of the crude aqueous extract and solvent fraction of the leaves of Thymus serrulatus in saline-loaded Swiss albino mice. Mice of either sex were divided into six groups (five animals in each group). The control group received normal saline (25 mL/kg), while the reference group received hydrochlorothiazide (10 mg/kg). Group III to Group VI received the test substances at dose levels of 125, 250, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg orally, respectively. At the end of the fifth hour, urine was collected, and total volume of urine excreted by each animal was recorded. Concentrations of urinary Na+ and K+ were determined, and the Na+/K+ ratio was calculated to make comparison among the groups. The acute toxicity of the most active fraction was also evaluated. The findings demonstrated that the crude aqueous extract of T. serrulatus leaves showed significant diuretic (P<0.01), natriuretic (P<0.01), and kaliuretic (P<0.01) effects. At the dose of 1,000 mg/kg, the n-butanol fraction demonstrated the highest diuretic activity comparable to the reference drug. It also showed a good natriuretic activity. The dichloromethane fraction, however, did not have significant diuretic activity. Both the crude aqueous extract of the leaves of T. serrulatus and its n-butanol fraction have diuretic activity with high concentration of urinary electrolytes in mice. Further studies, however, need to be pursued on the possible mechanism(s) of diuretic action.

&lt;i&gt;Thymus&lt;/i&gt; species in Ethiopia: Distribution, medicinal value, economic benefit, current status and threatening factors

The genus Thymus is one of the genera in the family Lamiaceae . In Ethiopia, it is represented by two endemic species namely Thymus serrulatus and Thymus schimperi . The aims of this study were to identify the types of species from six geographically distant localities in Ethiopia, assess the ethnobotanical and socioeconomic information of these species in these localities and gather information about the current status and threatening factors of these species in the six localities. The plant specimens from these localities were authenticated by experts in the National Herbarium of Addis Ababa University as Thymus serrulatus and Thymus schimperi . The plants were rated by local informants as treatments for ailments like blood pressure (30.7%), general pain syndrome (10%), influenza (10%), abdominal pain (10%), ascariasis (2.9%), and intestinal parasites (2.9%). The informants rated the economic value of these plants as animal forage (71.5%), bee forage (71.5%), condiments (68%), and washing and fumigation (46%). According to the informants, the status of Thymus species is declining from time to time due to overgrazing (80.7%), agricultural expansion (64.2%), overharvesting (48.57%), uprooting during harvesting (14.2%), and lack of recognition (13.6%) Keywords: Ethiopia, Thymus schimperi , Thymus serrulatus , threatening factors

Evaluation of Diuretic Activity of Methanol Crude Extract of Thymus serrulatus Leaves and its Solvent Fraction in Mice

Background: Thymus serrulatus is an indigenous plant to Ethiopia and used widely in the treatment of many illnesses including renal diseases and hypertension. The present study was undertaken to investigate the diuretic activity of the 80% methanol crude extract and solvent fractions of T. serrulatus leaves in saline-loaded mice. Methods: Swiss albino mice of either sex were divided into six groups (five animals in each group). The control group received normal saline (25 ml/kg) in 2% Tween 80, the reference group received hydrochlorothiazide (10 mg/ kg). Group-III to Group-XIV received the test substances at dose levels of 125, 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg orally. At the end of the 5th hour, urine was collected and the total volume of urine excreted by each animal was recorded. Concentration of urinary Na+, K+, and Na+/K+ ratio were also determined. The acute toxicity test was conducted for the most active fraction of the crude extract. Results: The findings demonstrated that the crude methanol extract of T. serrulatus leaves and its n-butanol fraction have significant (P<0.01) diuretic activity. The n-butanol fraction, at the dose of 1000 mg/kg, displayed a pronounced diuretic activity (104.0%) which was greater than the reference drug. It also showed a good natriuretic activity (1.34). However, the chloroform fraction was observed to lack significant diuretic activity and effect on electrolyte excretion except at the highest test dose. Conclusion: The present findings indicate that the crude methanol extract of the leaves of T. serrulatus as well as its n-butanol fraction has significant diuretic effect with increased concentration of urinary electrolytes in mice. Further studies, however, should be carried out to come up with possible mechanism/s of action and look for the active component responsible for the diuretic effect.

Histopathological and Biochemical Assessment of Chronic Oral Administration of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Thymus Serrulatus in Mice

Background: Medicinal plants are the source of treatment for many diseases throughout the developing world. The provision of safe herbal therapies could, thus, become a critical tool to increase access to health care in minimizing the undesirable effects. Thymus serrulatus is among commonly used herbal remedy in Ethiopia in addition to its use for spicing a food and as infusion in tea. This study was designed to investigate toxic effects of the aqueous leaf extract of Thymus serrulatus in mice. Methods: In this study, the mice were randomly divided into control and treatment groups that received distilled water and oral administration of single dose of 300, 2000, 5000 and 10,000 mg/kg (n=5) extract for acute toxicity, respectively and followed for 14 days. The chronic toxicity was evaluated through daily oral administration of extracts at doses of 200 and 600 mg/kg for 90 days in mice (n=6). On the 91st day, blood samples were collected for hematological and biochemical analysis. Liver and kidney were harvested for histopathological examination by tissue section preparation and microscopic examination. Results: The acute toxicity study found no signs of toxicity; hence LD50 was greater than 10,000 mg/kg. After 90 days of extract administration, there was no significant change in body weight, and most of the evaluated hematological and biochemical parameters. There was a significant decrease in count of basophils in male mice treated at dose 600 mg/kg. In addition, creatinine level of female mice at both doses was also significantly reduced. No death was recorded, and body weight change remained normal compared to the control. In gross observations, the kidneys and liver appear normal compared to the control. Histopathological examination of liver and kidney were essentially normal. Conclusions: Thymus serrulatus is relatively safe. However, mild mononuclear leukocytic infiltration was observed in mice treated at higher doses.

In Vitro and In Vivo Activity of Selected Plant Extracts against Papaya Carica papaya L.) Anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides)

Anthracnose is the major postharvest disease of papaya wherever the fruit crop is grown. The present investigation was conducted with the objectives of evaluating plant extracts for their activity against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in vitro and for controlling anthracnose on artificially inoculated ‘solo’ papaya fruit. Plant specimens were collected from Ambo and Haramaya, Ethiopia, dried under shade and extracted using methanol. Out of 18 plant extracts tested, nine of them showed activity against C. gloeosporioides. Methanol extract of Echinops sp. of 10 μL from the concentration of 50 mg/ml resulted in the highest inhibition zone of 13.5 mm against mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioides. Spore germination of C. gloeosporioides was reduced by 98.7%, 97.7% and 97.3% over the control by extracts of Echinops sp., Thymus serrulatus and Ocimum lamifolium, respectively. Among four botanicals evaluated in vivo as 10% and 25% aqueous extracts, Echinops sp. at 25% concentration kept disease severity score at 1.3 out of 5 (i.e. less than 1% fruit surface affected) and maintained quality of papaya fruit during 14 days experimental period. Further study is necessary on sensory analysis and developing botanicals as natural fungicides.

Effect of inclusion of tossign (Thymus serrulatus) in concentrate mix supplementation on performance and sensory quality of meat of Menz sheep

The experiment was conducted to determine feed intake, digestibility, body weight change, carcass characteristics, and sensory quality of meat of Menz sheep supplemented with a concentrate mix and combinations of different proportions of tossign (Thymus serrulatus). Twenty yearling intact male Menz sheep were divided according to their initial body weight into five blocks of four animals in a randomized block design, and treatments were assigned randomly to each sheep within each block. The treatments were a basal diet of hay alone (T1) and supplemented with 300 g concentrate mix (T2), 200 g concentrate mix + 100 g tossign (T3), and 100 g concentrate mix + 200 g tossign (T4) on a dry matter basis. The results indicated that supplementation of tossign together with concentrate mix significantly increased (P < 0.001) feed intake and improved DM and nutrient digestibility compared to the non-supplemented group. Supplementation of tossign with concentrate significantly improved (P < 0.001) daily weight gain, feed conversion efficiency, and carcass characteristics of sheep compared to the non-supplemented group. Flavor and aroma scores of meat samples of sheep in T3 and T4 were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than the corresponding values in T1 and T2. The scores for tenderness, juiciness, and degree of marbling of meat samples of sheep were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in T3 and T4 compared to meat samples of sheep in T1. Inclusion of small amounts of tossign as additive in concentrate mix supplementation can improve the sensory quality of meat of Menz sheep.