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O riganum V ulgare L . Extracts Versus Thymol: An Anti‐Inflammatory Study on Activated Microglial and Mixed Glial Cells
Author(s) -
Javadian Samar,
Sabouni Farzaneh,
Haghbeen Kamahldin
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of food biochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.507
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1745-4514
pISSN - 0145-8884
DOI - 10.1111/jfbc.12199
Subject(s) - thymol , origanum , traditional medicine , chemistry , herb , anti inflammatory , nitric oxide , food science , essential oil , botany , pharmacology , biology , medicine , medicinal herbs , organic chemistry
O riganum vulgare L . is a well‐known herb in I ranian traditional medicine. Methanolic extracts of the aerial parts of O . vulgare were prepared and subjected to high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis. Thymol was identified and measured in these extracts. The leaf and stem extracts showed moderate phenolic content and radical‐scavenging capability. Methanolic solution of thymol and the extracts of O . vulgare showed strong anti‐inflammatory effect on the activated microglial and mixed glial cells through inhibition of the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase and tumor necrosis factor‐α expression. No cytotoxicity was observed at the effective concentrations of the thymol (0.15 mg/mL), the leaf (2.25 mg/mL) or the stem (1.5 mg/mL) extracts. The results of this study indicate that thymol may play a role in the anti‐inflammatory activity of O . vulgare extracts. However, the effect of other components of the extracts should not be ignored. Practical Applications Oregano has long been used in P ersian traditional medicine in various prescriptions and is renowned for its diuretic, stomachic, antineuralgic, antitussive and expectorant properties. The results of this research demonstrate its potential for use in herbal formulations, drinks or as a food additive for people suffering from neurodegenerative disorders, especially during the early stages of these diseases. The results suggest that compounds with chemical structures similar to thymol may be the components of methanolic extracts of oregano that are effective in reducing inflammation.