The Potential Gastrointestinal Health Benefits of Thymus Vulgaris Essential Oil: A Review

Abstract

In recent times, medicinal plants have received great attention worldwide due to their effective pharmacological properties and therapeutic benefits. Numerous chemical compounds extracted from various medicinal plants have manifold biological activities. Thymus vulgaris (TV) is a flowering plant with an aromatic odor that has been broadly applied in conventional medicine, food additives, and phyto-pharmaceutical preparations. It is recognized to have promising therapeutic potential for curing various types of diseases. The essential oil extracted from TV, which contains a high quantity of flavonoids, possess antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Consequently, it could be utilized as a good source in developing novel natural antioxidants and antibiotics. This review explores some of the potential health benefits of TV essential oil (TVEO) on the gastrointestinal tract.

Bioactive Natural Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oils from Spice Plants: New Findings and Potential Applications

“…The EOs of Thymus spp. are usually used in traditional medicine due to the presence of their natural preservative compounds [ 195 , 196 ]. Dry and fresh leaves of thyme have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal, respiratory, and skin disorders.…”

“…Thyme EOs have been described as antimicrobial [ 197 , 198 , 199 ] and antioxidant [ 200 , 201 ]. Due to its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, the thyme EO is an appropriate food additive and a flavor enhancer for foods and beverages, and is used for pharmaceutical, perfumery, and cosmetic purposes [ 194 , 195 , 196 , 199 , 202 , 203 , 204 ]. Thyme is a strong component in culinary and food processing due to its odor, taste, and antimicrobial activities.…”

New Insight into the Chemical Composition, Antimicrobial and Synergistic Effects of the Moroccan Endemic Thymus atlanticus (Ball) Roussine Essential Oil in Combination with Conventional Antibiotics

“…It is the smallest of the Moroccan thymes, and very polymorphic depending on altitude and ecology, growing between 1700 to 3400 m [ 2 ]. For a long time, thyme has been commonly used in traditional Moroccan medicine to treat many chronic diseases, especially those related to the digestive system and skin lesions infected with eczema or pathogenic fungi such as Trichophyton rubrum [ 3 , 4 ]. Moreover, some studies have reported that a T. atlanticus aqueous extract from leaves exhibits relevant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities due to its high content in total phenolic compounds [ 5 ].…”

Investigation of Immunomodulatory and Gut Microbiota-Altering Properties of Multicomponent Nutraceutical Prepared from Lactic Acid Bacteria, Bovine Colostrum, Apple Production By-Products and Essential Oils

“…The main components of Thyme essential oil are responsible for antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, and antiinflammatory properties [31,32]. Thyme essential oil shows beneficial effects for gastric and intestinal environments [33]. Thyme essential oil, which predominant compounds are thymol and carvacrol, increase the activity of pancreatic trypsin, lipase and protease, show spasmolytic effects, reduce intestinal infections of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, fungi and yeasts, hookworms, ascarids, and decrease the edema in various types of inflammation [33].…”

“…Thyme essential oil shows beneficial effects for gastric and intestinal environments [33]. Thyme essential oil, which predominant compounds are thymol and carvacrol, increase the activity of pancreatic trypsin, lipase and protease, show spasmolytic effects, reduce intestinal infections of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, fungi and yeasts, hookworms, ascarids, and decrease the edema in various types of inflammation [33]. Thyme essential oil could be used for curing ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease [33].…”