Antibacterial and antifungal activities of thymol: A brief review of the literature

Marchese A., ERDOĞAN ORHAN İ., Daglia M., Barbieri R., Di Lorenzo A., Nabavi S. F., ...More

FOOD CHEMISTRY, vol.210, pp.402-414, 2016 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Review
  • Volume: 210
  • Publication Date: 2016
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.04.111
  • Journal Name: FOOD CHEMISTRY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.402-414
  • Keywords: Antibacterial, Antifungal, Monoterpene, Thymol, Thymus, CANDIDA-ALBICANS BIOFILM, INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS, IN-VITRO ACTIVITY, ESSENTIAL OIL, ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY, CHEMICAL-COMPOSITION, VULGARIS L., ESCHERICHIA-COLI, CARVACROL, ANTIOXIDANT
  • Lokman Hekim University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Thymol (2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol) is the main monoterpene phenol occurring in essential oils isolated from plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family (Thymus, Ocimum, Origanum, and Monarda genera), and other plants such as those belonging to the Verbenaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Ranunculaceae, and Apiaceae families. These essential oils are used in the food industry for their flavouring and preservative properties, in commercial mosquito repellent formulations for their natural repellent effect, in aromatherapy, and in traditional medicine for the treatment of headaches, coughs, and diarrhea. Many different activities of thymol such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, local anaesthetic, antinociceptive, cicatrizing, antiseptic, and especially antibacterial and antifungal properties have been shown. This review aims to critically evaluate the available literature regarding the antibacterial and antifungal effects of thymol. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.