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The effects of thyme volatiles on the induction of DNA damage by the heterocyclic amine IQ and mitomycin C.

The leafy parts of thyme and its essential oil have been used in foods for its flavour, aroma and preservation for many years. In the present study the genotoxic potential of major compounds of thyme oil, i.e. thymol, carvacrol, and gamma-terpinene and of the methanolic extracts of thyme, were investigated in human lymphocytes by single-cell gel electrophoresis. Also, the effects of these substances on the induction of DNA damage by 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]-quinoline (IQ) and mitomycin C (MMC) were evaluated. No increase in DNA strand breakage was observed at thymol and gamma-terpinene concentrations below 0.1 mM, but at the higher concentration of 0.2 mM significant increases in DNA damage were seen. Thymol and gamma-terpinene significantly reduced the DNA strand breakage induced by IQ and MMC at the lower concentrations studied. Carvacrol, which is an isomer of thymol, seemed to protect lymphocytes from the genotoxic effects of IQ and MMC at non-toxic concentrations below 0.05 mM, but at the higher concentration of 0.1 mM carvacrol itself induced DNA damage. Also the constituents of the n-hexane and ethyl acetate fractions prepared from the concentrated aqueous methanolic extracts of Thymus spicata protected lymphocytes against IQ- and MMC-induced DNA damage in a concentration-dependent manner.

Alkylating Agents↗

Azo dye-mediated regulation of total phenolics and peroxidase activity in thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) clonal lines.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) clonal lines, which were previously isolated from a heterogeneous seed population by plant tissue culture techniques, have been targeted as potential plants for phytoremediation of organic pollutants such as azo dyes and related aromatic compounds. Three thyme clonal lines and three rosemary clonal lines were tested for the ability to grow on hormone-free medium containing 0.01% of azo dye Poly S-119. The results showed that dye tolerance was associated with reduced phenolics and enhanced peroxidase activity in these clonal lines. There was a clear inverse correlation between total phenolics and peroxidase activity in these plants in response to Poly S-119. The tolerance of these clonal lines showed variations at different growing stages. These observations suggested that the peroxidase activity was inducible. Because peroxidases are involved in lignification, wound healing, aromatic compound degradation, pathogen defense, and stiffening, the results suggest that azo dye stimulated the defense response of thyme and rosemary clonal plants by increasing the peroxidase activity. Stereomicroscopic observations revealed that the azo dye was sequestered within the growing axis of the plant roots, which may also enhance the polymerization of azo dye onto the cell wall with the help of enhanced peroxidase activity.

Azo Compounds↗

Deuterium/hydrogen ratio analysis of thymol, carvacrol, gamma-terpinene and p-cymene in thyme, savory and oregano essential oils by gas chromatography-pyrolysis-isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

Isotope ratio mass spectrometry online coupled with capillary gas chromatography (GC-Py-IRMS) on column INNOWAX is used in the origin specific analysis and the authenticity control of the phenolic essential oils (EOs). Isotopic data delta(2)H(V-SMOW) of thymol and carvacrol in natural essential oils were evidently more depleted than synthetic products (from -49 to 7 per thousand for thymol and -61 per thousand for carvacrol). delta(2)H(V-SMOW) values of p-cymene, gamma-terpinene and thymol in authentic thyme oils (Thymus vulgaris L. and Thymus zygis L.) were found from -300 to -270 per thousand, from -285 to -248 per thousand and from -259 to -234 per thousand, respectively. delta(2)H(V-SMOW) values of carvacrol and p-cymene in authentic oregano oils (Origanum heracleoticum L., Coridothymus capitatus L. and Origanum compactum L.) varied from -223 to -193 per thousand and from -284 to -259 per thousand, respectively. For authentic Satureja montana subsp. montana essential oils, the mean delta(2)H(V-SMOW) value for aromatic compounds were found to be the following: gamma-terpinene -273 per thousand (SD=4.6 per thousand) and p-cymene -283 per thousand (SD=3.0 per thousand), thymol -245 per thousand (SD=1.8 per thousand) and carvacrol -226 per thousand (SD=1.7 per thousand). In addition, p-cymene was previously found as a precursor of the biosynthesis of thymol and carvacrol in thyme oil, thus, we considered p-cymene as an endogenous reference compound (ERC) for D/H ratio analysis. The isotopic fractionation factors alpha(thymol/p-cymene)=1.05 and alpha(carvacrol/p-cymene)=1.08 were obtained and also used to control the authenticity of the phenolic EOs.

Cyclohexane Monoterpenes↗

Dietary supplementation of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) essential oil during the lifetime of the rat: its effects on the antioxidant status in liver, kidney and heart tissues.

This study aimed not only to identify age-related changes in certain antioxidant systems, but to assess whether dietary supplementation of thyme oil could address the unfavourable antioxidant-pro-oxidant balance that occurs with age. The present study has shown that there were significant declines in the superoxide dismutase activities in the liver and heart of old rats, although kidney showed no decline. Liver glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity was found to have increased significantly in old rats, while a significant decrease was observed in kidney. Heart GSHPX activity was not found to differ significantly between young and old rats. There were also significant declines in the total antioxidant status in each tissue examined. A general feature of these various antioxidant parameters measured was that their activities remained higher in rats whose diets were supplemented with thyme oil, suggesting that they retained a more favourable antioxidant capacity during their life span.

Aging↗

Labiatae allergy: systemic reactions due to ingestion of oregano and thyme.

BACKGROUND: There are no cases described in the medical literature of systemic allergic reactions due to oregano (Origanum vulgare) or thyme (Thymus vulgaris). These herbs belong to the Lamiaceae (Labiatae) family which comprises other plants such as hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), basil (Ocimum basilicum), marjoram (Origanum majorana), mint (Mentha piperita), sage (Salvia officinalis) and lavender (Lavandula officinalis). OBJECTIVE: We describe three systemic allergic reactions caused by oregano and thyme in the same patient. METHODS: Skin tests with inhalant allergens and plants of the Labiatae family were done. We used the prick by prick technique with dried commercial plants and prick tests with extracts prepared with the Frugoni method in our patient and in ten control patients. Total serum IgE was determined by Phadezym IgE PRIST (Pharmacia). Specific IgE was measured by two methods: CAP system (Pharmacia) and Phadezym RAST (Pharmacia Diagnostics, Uppsala, Sweden) with activated discs of the allergenic extracts that were prepared in our laboratory. RESULTS: Skin tests with inhalants were positive to grasses. Skin tests with plants of the Labiatae family were positive in all cases when the skin prick technique was used; tests were negative with basil and lavender, and positive with all the others when we used the prick by prick technique. We did not detect any positive skin tests nor specific IgE to plants of the Labiatae family in control patients. Total serum IgE was 406 U/mL. Specific IgE was detected to all herbs tested; higher levels were obtained with the CAP system. CONCLUSIONS: Plants belonging to the Labiatae family seem to show cross-sensitivity on the basis of clinical history and in vitro and in vivo test results.

Food Hypersensitivity↗

Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometric determination of minerals in thyme honeys and their contribution to geographical discrimination.

Twenty-four Spanish thyme honey samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Twenty-four minerals were quantified for each honey. The elements Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Pb, S, Se, Si, Sr, and Zn were detected in all samples; seven elements are very abundant (Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, S, and Si), and six are not abundant (Al, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, and Zn). Eleven of them are trace elements (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Mo, Pb, Se, Sr, and V) at <1 mg kg(-)(1). Classification of thyme honeys according to their origin (coast, mountains) was achieved by pattern recognition techniques on the mineral data. By means of principal component analysis, a good separation by geographical origin is obtained when scores for the two first principal components are plotted. Classification functions of 11 metals (Al, As, Cr, Cu, K, Li, Mg, Na, P, S, and V) were obtained using stepwise discriminant analysis and applied to classify correctly approximately 100% of the honey samples.

Honey↗

Efficacy and tolerability of a fixed combination of thyme and primrose root in patients with acute bronchitis. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter, prospective study, the clinical efficacy and tolerability of a fixed combination of thyme fluid extract and primose root tincture (Bronchicum Tropfen) was investigated at a dosage of 30 drops (1 ml), taken orally five times daily. 150 outpatients (97 women, 53 men) suffering from acute, not previously treated bronchitis, lasting for less than 48 h, were randomized and treated with either verum (75 patients: 45 women, 30 men) or placebo (75 patients: 52 women, 23 men) over a time period of 7-9 days. 17 patients were excluded from the per-protocol (PP) collective because of either withdrawal from the trial (n = 2) or violations regarding examination time points and/or intake of the study medication (n = 15). The primary outcome criterion for efficacy assessment was the decrease of the Bronchitis Severity Score (BSS) at the end of the study compared to baseline. In the verum group, the BSS decreased from 12.0 +/- 4.4 points at baseline to 1.0 +/- 2.1 at study end compared to a decrease from 11.7 +/- 4.3 points at baseline to 6.5 +/- 4.8 at study end in the placebo group. The inter-group difference of 5.8 points was highly significant (p < or = 10(-3)) in favour of the verum medication [Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis]. At the end of the study, significantly more patients were symptom free in the verum group (58.7%) than in the placebo group (5.3%) as compared by the ITT analysis (secondary outcome criterion). For both parameters, the PP analysis showed comparable results. The results for the concomitant variables of efficacy support the high superiority of the verum medication compared to placebo. The therapeutic effect was more pronounced the stronger the severity of the acute bronchitis was (as proofed by a stratified evaluation based on severity grade). The tolerability was very good in both groups; neither serious adverse events nor clinically relevant findings in the safety parameters were observed. A total of 7 adverse events occurred, 2 in the verum group and 5 in the placebo group. One of the two adverse events in the verum group was considered to be possibly related to the intake of the study medication. Neither serious nor unknown adverse drug reactions were observed. Two drop-outs occurred during the study related to adverse events, both in the placebo group. In the global safety assessment, the tolerability of both medications was rated as "good" or "very good" by more than 90% of the patients and physicians. In the present study, the fixed combination of thyme fluid extract and primrose root tincture was well tolerated and resulted in a clinically relevant and more pronounced decrease of the bronchitis symptoms (primary outcome criterion) and in shortening the duration of acute bronchitis (secondary outcome criterion) when compared to placebo.

Acute Disease↗

Localization of the biosynthesis and accumulation of monoterpenoids in glandular trichomes of thyme.

Quantitative analyses of the essential oils in intact glandular trichomes isolated from thyme cotyledons by the use of an adhesive tape and a glass capillary tube showed that the content of thymol per cotyledon was approximately equal to the sum total of thymol in peltate glandular trichomes (PGTs) and capitate glandular trichomes (CGTs). The amounts of thymol and gamma-terpinene in PGTs increased with time until 9 days after germination, when these monoterpenes were exclusively found in PGTs. The radioactivity of [U- (14)C]-sucrose administered to cotyledonal segments was incorporated into gamma-terpinene and thymol most actively by the peripheral part abundant in PGTs, whereas the incorporation was markedly decreased by a partial removal of PGTs from cotyledons. The cell-free extract of isolated PGTs was capable of cyclizing [ (14)C]-geranyl pyrophosphate into gamma-terpinene, but this enzymatic reaction failed when PGTs were removed from cotyledons. These results indicate that the biosynthesis and accumulation of monoterpenes in thyme seedlings take place primarily in PGTs.

Journal Article↗

Effect of honey versus thyme on Rubella virus survival in vitro.

In this paper, we assess the antiviral properties of honey solutions and thyme extracts at varying concentrations. This was done by testing these solutions in vitro using monkey kidney cell cultures that were infected with the Rubella virus. Our results indicated that honey had good anti-Rubella activity, while thyme did not. These results may justify the continuing use of honey in traditional medicines from different ethnic communities worldwide and in some modern medications such as cough syrups.

Antiviral Agents↗

Open trial to assess aspects of safety and efficacy of a combined herbal cough syrup with ivy and thyme.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Changes in the symptoms of cough after treatment with a combined herbal preparation containing dry ivy leaf extract as main active ingredient, decoction of thyme and aniseed, and mucilage of marshmallow root (Weleda Hustenelixier, new formulation) and its tolerability were investigated in an open clinical trial ('Anwendungsbeleg'). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January and March 2004, 13 general practitioners recruited and treated 62 patients with a mean age of 50 years (range 16-89). The patients had irritating cough in consequence of common cold (n = 29), bronchitis (n = 20) or respiratory tract diseases with formation of viscous mucus (n = 15). The mean daily intake was 10 ml (range 7.5-15) of syrup, and the mean duration of treatment was 12 days (range 3-23 days). Treatment results were assessed on the basis of changes in the symptom scores for cough and expectoration. Safety was evaluated by means of an analysis of adverse events. In addition, efficacy and tolerability were analyzed from the judgments of the doctors and patients. RESULTS: At the final visit, all symptom scores showed an improvement as compared to baseline. Doctors and patients assessed efficacy as good or very good in 86% and 90% of the cases, respectively. Tolerability was assessed as good or very good by 97% of the doctors and patients. Only one adverse event was reported. However, a relation to the medication was classified to be unlikely. CONCLUSION: Considering the traditional use of ivy leaves, thyme herb, aniseed and marshmallow root in preparations for cough, the reduction in the symptom score as well as the good tolerability the investigated combined herbal cough syrup seems to alleviate cough in consequence of common cold, bronchitis or respiratory tract diseases with formation of mucus.

Adolescent↗

Coumarin and flavone derivatives from estragon and thyme as inhibitors of chemical mediator release from RBL-2H3 Cells.

Estragon and thyme extracts showed potent inhibitory activities against chemical mediator release from rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells. 7-Methoxycoumarin was isolated from estragon, and 5,4'-dihydroxy-6,7,3'-trimethoxyflavone, 5,4'-dihydroxy-6,7,8,3'-tetramethoxyflavone, 5-hydroxy-6,7,8,3',4'-pentamethoxyflavone and luteolin were isolated from thyme as active components. Structure-activity relationship studies among the active isolates and their related compounds indicated that the oxygen-containing functional group at the 7-position of the coumarin structure was advantageous for the inhibitory activity and that methylation of the hydroxyl group at the 4'-position of the flavone structure was disadvantageous. It was also found that coumarin derivatives inhibited an earlier step than intracellular calcium release and proteinkinase C activation, while flavones inhibited a later step or both earlier and later steps.

Animals↗

[Studies on antimicrobial activity of extracts from thyme].

The extracts from thyme by water and ethanol, thyme essential oil, thymol and carvacrol were used as antimicrobial agents in this paper. The results show that all antimicrobial agents used have strong inhibition activity against Staphalococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Human platelet aggregation inhibitors from thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.).

Two antiaggregant compounds, thymol (compound 1) and 3,4,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-5,5'-diisopropyl-2,2'-dimethylbiphenyl (compound 2) were isolated from the leaves of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.). The structures were determined by (1)H-, (13)C-NMR and mass spectra (MS) studies. These compounds inhibited platelet aggregation induced by collagen, ADP, arachidonic acid (AA) and thrombin except that compound 2 did not inhibit platelet aggregation induced by thrombin.

Humans↗

Monoterpenoids and their glycosides from the leaf of thyme.

From the polar portion of the methanol extract of thyme (leaf of Thymus vulgaris; Labiatae), which has been used as an important stomachic, carminative, a component of prepared cough tea, and a spice, seven monoterpenoid glycosides were isolated together with two known monoterpenoids and three known monoterpenoid glucosides. Structures of the seven monoterpenoid glycosides were determined by spectral analysis.

Glycosides↗

Control of Aeromonas on minimally processed vegetables by decontamination with lactic acid, chlorinated water, or thyme essential oil solution.

Aeromonas is an opportunistic pathogen, which, although in low numbers, may be present on minimally processed vegetables. Although the intrinsic and extrinsic factors of minimally processed prepacked vegetable mixes are not inhibitory to the growth of Aeromonas species, multiplication to high numbers during processing and storage of naturally contaminated grated carrots, mixed lettuce, and chopped bell peppers was not observed. Aeromonas was shown to be resistant towards chlorination of water, but was susceptible to 1% and 2% lactic acid and 0.5% and 1.0% thyme essential oil treatment, although the latter provoked adverse sensory properties when applied for decontamination of chopped bell peppers. Integration of a decontamination step with 2% lactic acid in the processing line of grated carrots was shown to have the potential to control the overall microbial quality of the grated carrots and was particularly effective towards Aeromonas.

Aeromonas↗

Correlation between the chemical and genetic relationships among commercial thyme cultivars.

The essential oil composition and genetic variability of six commercial cultivars of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), a Mediterranean medicinal and aromatic plant, were analyzed by GC-MS and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), respectively. All evaluated cultivars belong to the thymol chemotype, with differences in the concentrations of thymol, gamma-terpinene, p-cymene, and other minor components. The comparison of the oil components concentration by multivariate analysis allowed separation of the cultivars into two groups. All of the cultivars exhibited characteristic RAPD patterns that allowed their identification. On the basis of the RAPD patterns, the cultivars could be divided into two clusters, which coincides with results obtained by oil GS-MS analysis, with a correlation coefficient of -0.779.

DNA, Plant↗

Antioxidant activity of chemical components from sage (Salvia officinalis L.) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) measured by the oil stability index method.

A new abietane diterpenoid, 12-O-methyl carnosol (2), was isolated from the leaves of sage (Salvia officinalis L.), together with 11 abietane diterpenoids, 3 apianane terpenoids, 1 anthraquinone, and 8 flavonoids. Antioxidant activity of these compounds along with 4 flavonoids isolated from thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) was evaluated by the oil stability index method using a model substrate oil including methyl linoleate in silicone oil at 90 degrees C. Carnosol, rosmanol, epirosmanol, isorosmanol, galdosol, and carnosic acid exhibited remarkably strong activity, which was comparable to that of alpha-tocopherol. The activity of miltirone, atuntzensin A, luteolin, 7-O-methyl luteolin, and eupafolin was comparable to that of butylated hydroxytoluene. The activity of these compounds was mainly due to the presence of ortho-dihydroxy groups. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity of these compounds showed the similar result.

Anthraquinones↗

Modulating effects of thyme and its major ingredients on oxidative DNA damage in human lymphocytes.

The present study was carried out to investigate the modulating effects of thyme and its major components against the oxidative DNA damage induced by H(2)O(2). The human lymphocytes with thymol, carvacrol, and gamma-terpinene incubated with or without 0.1 mM H(2)O(2) for 30 min at 37 degrees C and the DNA damage were evaluated by singe cell gel electropheresis (comet assay). Concentrations above 0.1 mM thymol and gamma-terpinene and 0.05 mM carvacrol significantly induced DNA damage in human lymphocytes, but at the smaller concentrations no additional DNA strand breakage has been observed. At the all concentrations studied, gamma-terpinene did not show any protective effect against H(2)O(2) induced oxidative DNA damage, but the phenolic compounds thymol and carvacrol at concentrations below 0.2 and 0.1 mM, respectively, significantly reduced the oxidative DNA damage (p < 0.001). The n-hexane and ethyl acetate fractions prepared from the methanolic extracts of Thymus spicata also were found to inhibit DNA damage.

Cyclohexane Monoterpenes↗