Essential Oil Contents and Biological Activities of Thymus Canoviridis Jalas and Thymus Sipyleus Boiss

Abstract

Objective: Members of the Lamiaceae family are considered to be major sources of bioactive therapeutic agents. Many of them are important medicinal and aromatic plants used in traditional and modern medicine and in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The aim of this study was to investigate in detail the biological activities and chemical composition of the essential oils of Thymus canoviridis Jalas and Thymus sipyleus Boiss. species belonging to the genus Thymus, one of the most important genera of the Lamiaceae family. Material and Method: The essential oil content of the species was determined by GC-MS. Antioxidant activities of the essential oils were determined using lipid peroxidation, DPPH free radical, ABTS cation radical and CUPRAC methods. In addition, cytotoxic activities against breast cancer (MCF-7) and colon cancer (HT-29) cell lines and anticholinesterase (against AChE and BChE enzymes), urease, tyrosinase, elastase, collagenase and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition activities were determined. Result and Discussion: When the essential oil composition of T. sipyleus was analyzed, the major compounds were 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) (18.16%), camphor (15.08%) and endo-borneol (11.63%), while T. canoviridis was found to be rich in carvacrol (72.88%). T. canoviridis showed high antioxidant activity in lipid peroxidation (IC50: 45.72±0.12 μg/ml), ABTS (IC50: 6.12±0.03 μg/ml) and CUPRAC (IC50: 5.31±0.01 μg/ml) methods. The selectivities of T. canoviridis and T. sipyleus species against MCF-7 cell line were 4.39 and 6.81, respectively. In the enzyme inhibition studies, both Thymus species showed moderate inhibition activity against BChE enzyme (Inhibition%: 57.88±1.14, 39.21±0.89, respectively). In addition, T. sipyleus showed moderate inhibition of elastase enzyme (Inhibition%: 25.33±0.79). When the results are evaluated in general, it can be said that T. canoviridis essential oil with its rich carvacrol content and high cytotoxic and antioxidant activity can be preferred as a safer and natural option instead of synthetic preservatives in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries to extend shelf life and ensure food safety. © 2024 University of Ankara. All rights reserved.