Carvacrol—A Natural Phenolic Compound with Antimicrobial Properties

Abstract

The main purpose of this article is to present the latest research related to selected biological properties of carvacrol, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity. As a monoterpenoid phenol, carvacrol is a component of many essential oils and is usually found in plants together with its isomer, thymol. Carvacrol, either alone or in combination with other compounds, has a strong antimicrobial effect on many different strains of bacteria and fungi that are dangerous to humans or can cause significant losses in the economy. Carvacrol also exerts strong anti-inflammatory properties by preventing the peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids by inducing SOD, GPx, GR, and CAT, as well as reducing the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the body. It also affects the body’s immune response generated by LPS. Carvacrol is considered a safe compound despite the limited amount of data on its metabolism in humans. This review also discusses the biotransformations of carvacrol, because the knowledge of the possible degradation pathways of this compound may help to minimize the risk of environmental contamination with phenolic compounds.

Nutritional and Physiological Properties of Thymbra spicata: In Vitro Study Using Fecal Fermentation and Intestinal Integrity Models

“…T. spicata contains up to 80% CVL in its essential oil [ 20 ]. CVL has gained attention among the scientific community due to its diverse biological activities and its potential health benefits [ 21 , 22 , 23 ]. CVL exerts antimicrobial [ 24 ], antioxidant [ 25 ], anti-inflammatory [ 26 ], and antisteatotic effects [ 27 ], and is being explored for various pharmacological and nutraceutical applications.…”

Antibacterial Potential of Essential Oils and Silver Nanoparticles against Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius Isolates

“…In recent years, various in vivo and in vitro investigations have been conducted focusing on the efficiency of several EOs against the etiological agents of pyoderma in dogs [ 15 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. Many EOs may be used to treat various skin disorders; however, due to their bioactive chemical components, some are particularly efficient against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria [ 23 ], in particular those with significant percentages of thymol and carvacrol have extraordinary membrane-damaging action in bacteria [ 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”

Oral treatment of human gut microbiota associated IL-10−/− mice suffering from acute campylobacteriosis with carvacrol, deferoxamine, deoxycholic acid, and 2-fucosyl-lactose

“…Carvacrol, a phenolic monoterpenoid and main component in essential oils derived from oregano (Origanum vulgare) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) (Gholami-Ahangaran et al, 2022), is commonly used for flavoring and food-preservation within the food industry. Furthermore, it is known for its anti-microbial, −oxidant, −diabetic, −inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties, making this compound a promising candidate in the treatment of several human morbidities (Sharifi-Rad et al, 2018;Mączka et al, 2023). The antibacterial effects of carvacrol against food-borne pathogens, such as Gram-positive Bacillus cereus or Gram-negative bacteria like Escherichia coli, Salmonella species, and C. jejuni have already been reported in the past (Ultee et al, 2002;Obaidat and Frank, 2009;van Alphen et al, 2012;Mączka et al, 2023).…”

“…Furthermore, it is known for its anti-microbial, −oxidant, −diabetic, −inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties, making this compound a promising candidate in the treatment of several human morbidities (Sharifi-Rad et al, 2018;Mączka et al, 2023). The antibacterial effects of carvacrol against food-borne pathogens, such as Gram-positive Bacillus cereus or Gram-negative bacteria like Escherichia coli, Salmonella species, and C. jejuni have already been reported in the past (Ultee et al, 2002;Obaidat and Frank, 2009;van Alphen et al, 2012;Mączka et al, 2023). Additionally, our previous pre-clinical intervention studies assessed the anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory properties of singular carvacrol application during murine campylobacteriosis (Mousavi et al, 2020;Foote et al, 2023).…”