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 µM.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 µg/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 µg/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.

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1. Zhou, E., Fu, Y., Wei, Z., et al. Thymol attenuates allergic airway inflammation in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced mouse asthma. Fitoterapia 96, 131-137 (2014).

2. Xu, H., Delling, M., Jun, J.C., et al. Oregano, thyme and clove-derived flavors and skin sensitizers activate specific TRP channels. Nat. 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 fungi. J. 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 bacteria. J. 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 hydroxytyrosol. Food Chem. Toxicol. 32(1), 31-36 (1994).