Biological Effects and Modes of Action of Carvacrol in Animal and Poultry Production and Health - A Review

Abstract

The carvacrol compound is an antioxidant nutrient, used to enhance growth and productive performance via modification and activation of gastrointestinal tract structure and function and to inhibit/prevent cancer initiations. Numerous studies performed on animal diets supplemented with phytogenic supplements/feed additives containing natural antioxidants such as carvacrol demonstrated its capability to improve performance indices, feed utilization, immune functions and health of livestock as well as reducing the risks of different animal diseases like cancer and other diseases. Such properties could be due to its ability as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, immunomodulatory, anticancer and anti-inflammatory agents by preventing free radicals and hazardous compounds from interacting with cellular DNA and its ability to change the gut microflora, improving digestion coefficient and absorption of nutrient compounds. The present review illustrates the chemical and physical proprieties, modes of action, metabolism and excretion, biological properties, natural sources and beneficial aspects of carvacrol in animal and poultry production and health.

Assessment of carvacrol for control of avian aspergillosis in intratracheally challenged chickens in comparison to voriconazole with a reference on economic impact

“…; Alagawany et al . ). To our knowledge, no published data exist for examining VCZ treatment efficacy for avian aspergillosis in experimentally infected chickens (Tell et al .…”

“…Carvacrol, the phenolic major component of oregano (Origanum vulgare L. subsp. hirtum), could improve feed utilization, performance indices, immune functions and health of livestock through the antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anticancer and antiinflammatory properties (Lillehoj et al 2011;Alagawany et al 2015). To our knowledge, no published data exist for examining VCZ treatment efficacy for avian aspergillosis in experimentally infected chickens (Tell et al 2010) and for carvacrol prophylaxis and treatment.…”

Combination of carvacrol with simvastatin improves the lipid‐lowering efficacy and alleviates simvastatin side effects

“…It is a monoterpene phenolic constituent of the essential oil produced by numerous aromatic plants and spices like origanum vulgare (oregano), thyme, pepperwort, and wild bergamot. [13] Several in vitro and in vivo studies described different biological activities of CARV, including antibacterial, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, immunomodulatory, and chemopreventive activities. [14][15][16][17] In a previous study, CARV was found to protect against hepatic steatosis in mice fed with a high-fat diet.…”

Ameliorative effects of oral ginger and/or thyme aqueous extracts on productive and reproductive performance of V‐line male rabbits

“…Also, thyme contains thymol, carvacrol, steroids, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, tannins, resin potassium nitrate, aspartic acid and glutamic acid (Dauqan & Abdullah, 2017). These effective ingredients can improve the reproductive and productive performances, nutrient digestibility and immunity of animals as well as decreasing the problems of animal diseases and adverse effects of chemical drugs by suppressing harmful compounds and free radicals from co-operating with cell biological compounds, capacity to adjust the gut microbiota and elevating digestion, absorption and nutrients metabolism (Abd El-Hack et al, 2016;Alagawany, Abd El-Hack, Farag, Tiwari, & Dhama, 2015;Badreldin, Gerald, Musbah, & Abderrahim, 2008;Chrubasik, Pittler, & Roufogalis, 2005).…”