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. 2021 May 18;7(5):e07054.
doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07054. eCollection 2021 May.

A systematic review on ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacological aspects of Thymus vulgaris Linn

Shashank M Patil  1 , Ramith Ramu  1 , Prithvi S Shirahatti  2 , Chandan Shivamallu  1 , Raghavendra G Amachawadi  3
Affiliations

A systematic review on ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacological aspects of Thymus vulgaris Linn

Shashank M Patil et al. Heliyon. .

Abstract

Thymus vulgaris Linn. is a medicinal and culinary herb from the Southern European region known for its anti-infective, cardioprotective, gastroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities since the Egyptian era. The reported pharmacological activities of T. vulgaris L. include antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-cancerous activities. In this review, a comprehensive approach is put forth to scrutinize and report the available data on phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology, pharmacology, and toxicology of the plant. The different extracts and essential oil obtained from the plant have been assessed and reported to treat ailments like microbial infections, inflammation, non-communicable diseases like cancer, and sexually transmitted diseases like HIV-1 and Herpes. The literature review has also indicated the use of volatile oils, phenolic acids, terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tannins, alkaloids, and polysaccharides in pharmacotherapy. Applications of these compounds including antidiabetic, anti-Alzheimer's, cardio, neuro and hepatoprotective, anti-osteoporosis, sedative, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, antispasmodic, antinociceptive, gastroprotective, anticonvulsant, antihypertensive, antidepressant, anti-amnesia, and anti-helminthic activities have been mentioned. Further, based on research gaps, recommendations have been provided to evaluate T. vulgaris L. systematically to develop plant-based drugs, nutraceuticals, and to evaluate their clinical efficiency and safety.

Keywords: Ethnopharmacology; Pharmacology; Phytochemistry; Thymus vulgaris L.; Toxicology.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA outline followed for literature search.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A) Plant B) flowers C) leaves D) seeds of Thymus vulgaris L.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Phenolic compounds with pharmacological activity in Thymus vulgaris L.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Terpenoids with pharmacological activity in Thymus vulgaris L.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Flavonoids with pharmacological activity in Thymus vulgaris L.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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