Bioactivity and potential health benefits of Thymus vulgaris

Before the development of modern medicines, plant species are used in drugs and traditional medicines. Medicinal plants are widely used in various fields of medicine, industry and agriculture. Specially in medicine, these plants are considered to be useful in cancer treatment. Studying medicinal plants help to understand plant's toxicity and protect human and animals from natural poisons. Here we have reviewed the biological activities of Thymus vulgaris as a medicinal plant. To study pharmacological aspects of Thymus vulgaris, the literature in this case was used from scientific sites from 2011 to 2016. Thymus vulgaris oil is a combination of monoterpenes and those will act as an tioxidative, antimicrobial, medicinal drug, antitussive, antispasmodic and antibacterial activities. Thymus vulgaris could have an anticancer effect and that, some of its bioactive compounds may prove to be effective treatment modalities for human CRC. The results of antimicrobial activity of the essential oils supported the use of the tested plant species in the treatment of minor wounds and disorders of the oral cavity and as an antibacterial agent in oral hygiene. Extracts from thyme (Thymus vulgaris) has shown inhibitory activity against Herpes simplex virus. The synergistic effects of these active chemicals with other constituents of the essential oils should be taken into consideration for the antimicrobial activity. Because of the effective oil component of this plant on target pathogen and effects of natural compounds on fungus, thyme can be used as an easily available source of natural antioxidants and antibiotics in food products and drugs. Therapeutic plants are utilized in different medication preparations and receive particular attention in research to develop new agents of pharmaceutical importance

کلیدواژه ها:

Thymus vulgaris ، Bioactivity ، Antimicrobial ، Medicinal plant