Essential oil composition and antinociceptive activity of Thymus capitatus

Abstract

Context: The essential oil (EO) from Thymus capitatus Hoff. et Link. (Lamiaceae) has been traditionally used for its medicinal properties, such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.Objective: Characterize the constituents from T. capitatus EO and further evaluate the antinociceptive activity by in vivo and in vitro procedures.Materials and methods: Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was used to identify and quantify the constituents of the T. capitatus EO. The antinociceptive activity was evaluated in vivo by the glutamate-induced nociception model in male Swiss mice (25 g), at doses of 3, 6 and 12 mg/kg, 1 h before evaluation of the licking time response (0–15 min). The mechanism of T. capitatus EO (1–500 μg/mL) on the isolated nerve excitability of Wistar rat (300 g) was assessed by the single sucrose technique.Results and discussion: The EO of T. capitatus presented 33 components, mainly monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, carvacrol (ca. 80%) was its major constituent. T. capitatus EO induced antinociception in orally treated mice (3, 6, and 12 mg/kg) reducing the licking time from control (100.3 ± 11.9 s) to 84.8 ± 12.2, 62.7.6 ± 9.9, and 41.5 ± 12.7 s, respectively (n = 8; p < 0.05). Additionally, we have demonstrated that T. capitatus EO (500 μg/mL) decreased the compound action potential amplitude (VCAP) of about 80.0 ± 4.3% from control recordings (n = 4; p < 0.05). Such activity was presumably mediated through a voltage-gated Na+ channels.Conclusions: The present study demonstrated the antinociceptive activity of Thymus capitatus essential oil, which acts via peripheral nervous excitability blockade.

New Tricks for Old Guys: Recent Developments in the Chemistry, Biochemistry, Applications and Exploitation of Selected Species from the Lamiaceae Family

“…The anti‐inflammatory properties traditionally ascribed to Thymus carnosus and Thymus camphoratus was recently demonstrated in a study showing inhibitory effects towards nitric oxide production and concomitantly inhibiting the expression of two crucial pro‐inflammatory proteins, iNOS and COX‐2 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated macrophages . As per as the antinociceptive activity of Thymus capitatus essential oil, which acts through peripheral nervous excitability blockade …”

“…[364] As per as the antinociceptive activity of Thymus capitatus essential oil, which acts through peripheral nervous excitability blockade. [365] In the last few years, essential oil components have been evaluated for their mechanism of action and to obtain leading compounds active in central nervous system (CNS). Linalool alone as well as the L. angustifolia essential oils affect, in a concentrationdependent manner, neural firing activity.…”

Essential Oils and Their Constituents Targeting the GABAergic System and Sodium Channels as Treatment of Neurological Diseases

“…Carvacrol has attracted attention because of its beneficial biological activities, especially analgesic activity. Gonçalves et al [ 45 ] characterized the constituents of Thymus capitatus EO and evaluated their antinociceptive activity by in vivo and in vitro procedures. The EO of T. capitatus presented 33 components, mainly monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, and carvacrol (80%) was its major constituent.…”

“…EO of T. capitatus dose-dependently decreased the CAP amplitude. Such activity was presumably mediated through voltage-gated Na + channels [ 45 ]. Melo et al [ 81 ] examined the behavioral effects of carvacrol using elevated plus-maze (EPM), open field, rotarod, and barbiturate-induced sleeping time tests in mice.…”

“…The hypothesis of the underlying mechanism was supported by the finding that carvacrol could reduce the total voltage-gated Na + current and tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-R) Na + current component in a concentration-dependent manner in isolated dorsal root ganglion neurons [ 80 ]. In addition to analgesic activity mediated through the blockade of Na + channels [ 45 , 80 ], Trailović et al [ 78 ] tested the effects of different concentrations of carvacrol on isolated tissues of the large pig nematode Ascaris suum . The somatic muscle flaps were used for contraction assays and for electrophysiological investigations.…”