Thymol

Thymol is a terpenoid that has been found in T. vulgaris and has diverse biological activities.^1,2,3,4,5 It activates transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3) currents in HEK293 cells expressing mouse or human TRPV3 when used at a concentration of 500 ?M.² Thymol is active against a variety of plant pathogenic fungi, including A. niger, A. ochraceus, Cladosporium, and F. oxysporum (MICs = 200, 125, 100, and 300 ?g/ml, respectively).³ It is also active against the bacteria E. coli and S. aureus but not P. aeruginosa (MICs = 500, 500, and >1,000 ?g/ml, respectively).⁴ Thymol inhibits lipid peroxidation in ox brain phospholipid liposomes by 45-82% when used at concentrations ranging from 0.067 to 0.664 mM and scavenges trichloromethylperoxyl (CCl₃O₂^-) radicals.⁵ It also reduces inflammatory cell infiltration into the airway, decreases the levels of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and prevents airway hyperresponsiveness in a mouse model of ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma when administered at a dose of 16 mg/kg.¹ Formulations containing thymol have been used as food flavorings, antiseptics, and pesticides.

1.Zhou, E., Fu, Y., Wei, Z., et al.Thymol attenuates allergic airway inflammation in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced mouse asthmaFitoterapia96131-137(2014) 2.Xu, H., Delling, M., Jun, J.C., et al.Oregano, thyme and clove-derived flavors and skin sensitizers activate specific TRP channelsNat. Neurosci.9(5)628-635(2006) 3.Abbaszadeh, S., Sharifzadeh, A., Shokri, H., et al.Antifungal efficacy of thymol, carvacrol, eugenol and menthol as alternative agents to control the growth of food-relevant fungiJ. Mycol. Med.24(2)e51-e56(2014) 4.Walsh, S.E., Maillard, J.-Y., Russell, A.D., et al.Activity and mechanisms of action of selected biocidal agents on Gram-positive and -negative bacteriaJ. Appl. Microbiol.94(2)240-247(2003) 5.Aeschbach, R., Loliger, J., Scott, B.C., et al.Antioxidant actions of thymol, carvacrol, 6-gingerol, zingerone and hydroxytyrosolFood Chem. Toxicol.32(1)31-36(1994)