Potential effect and mechanism of action of Zataria multiflora in liver disorders

Abstract

Introduction and Objective. Zataria multiflora Boiss or Iranian thyme (Lamiancea family) is traditionally used for the management of liver disorders. Due to the traditional importance of Z. multiflora in liver diseases, the aim of the review is to evaluate the preventive and therapeutic effects of Z. multiflora in liver diseases. Review methods. Information was obtained from original peer reviewed articles published in scientific sources up to September 2021. Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, AMED, Cochrane Library electronic literature databases were investigated by the key words of 'Zataria multiflora', 'liver', 'hepato-protective', 'ROS', 'oxidative stress', and 'clinical trial'. The collected data aresummarized, categorized, analyzed, and discussed. Brief description of the state of knowledge. The result of one clinical trial showed the efficacy and safety of Z. multiflora powder in non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases. Z. multiflora powder and its extracts reduced the liver oxidative stress induced by drugs, environmental toxins, cyst hydatid, and endogenous factors. The antioxidant activity of Z. multiflora essential oil is higher than its extracts or powder, due to the high content of thymol and carvacrol in its oil. Reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress play important roles in liver diseases; therefore, Z. multiflora and its extracts are regarded as natural antioxidants protecting the liver against free radicals. Conclusion.Although there is one clinical study on Z. multiflora in non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases, large clinical trials are required to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Z. multiflora in liver diseases.

Therapeutic effects of medicinal plants and their constituents on lung cancer, in vitro, in vivo and clinical evidence

“…Regarding the safety and efficacy of Z. multiflora , the results of two animal studies indicated that, due to phenol components including carvacrol and thymol, reduction of ROS levels in tissue but in doses more than 0.4 mL/kg for 14 days, Z. multiflora reduced the safety but increased toxicity 34,35 . However, in healthy human carvacrol at doses of 1 and 2 mg/kg/day for 1 month did not show any side effects 36 .…”