Antifungal thyme

The aromatic oil extracted from thyme leaves contains thymol and carvacol, which have preservative, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Thyme is a bronchial antispasmodic that relaxes muscles in the respiratory tract, an effect that makes it a good treatment for bronchitis and whooping cough. Thyme also relaxes smooth muscles in the gastrointestinal tract and the uterus, making it effective as a digestive aid and reliever of menstrual cramps. 

Thymol (isopropyl-m-cresol) is a volatile, phenolic monoterpene produced by several plants including thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) (Baerheim Svendsen and Scheffer, 1985). Thymol has well-known antiseptic, antifungal, and anthelminthic properties (Wilson et al., 1977) and is also used for food and fragrance applications (Bauer et al., 1990). 

AI3-00708 Caswell No. 856A CCRIS 7299 Cymo-phenol, a- EINECS 201-944-8 ERA Pesticide Chemical Code 080402 FEMA Number 3066 HSDB 866 Isopropyl cresol NSC 11215 Thyme camphor Thymic acid Thymol m-Thymol Thymol (natural). An antibacterial and antifungal agent used in perfumery, microscopy, preservative, antioxidant, flavoring, as a laboratory reagent, in the manufacture of menthol. Used in the prevention of mold and mildew, in flavoring and perfumery, as a preservative and antioxidant and a topical antiseptic. Crystalline solid mp = 51,5° bp = 232.5" dl ... 

Del Toro-Sanchez, C. L., Ayala-Zavala, J. R, Machi, L., Santacruz, H., Villegas-Ochoa, M. A., Alvarez-Parrilla, E., and Gonzalez-Aguilar, G. A. (2010). Controlled release of antifungal volatiles of thyme essential oil from P-cyclodextrin capsules. Journal of Inclusion Phenomena and Macrocyclic Chemistry, 67,431 441. 

Viuda-Martos, M., Ruiz-Navajas, Y., Femandez-Lopez, J., and Perez-Alvarez, J.A. 2007b. Antifungal activity of Thyme, Clove and oregano essential oils. Journal cfFood Safety, 27,91-101. 

Keywords Essential oils Antibacterial activity Antifungal activity Thyme oil Clove oil Cinnamon oils Mint oils Citrus oils Rosemary oil... 

Viuda-Martos M, Ruiz-Navajas Y, Fernandez-Lopez J et al (2007) Antifungal activity of thyme, clove and oregano essential oils. J Food Safety 27 91-101... 

Thymol has antibacterial, antifungal and antiparasitic properties. It is less toxic than phenol, the LD50 of thymol being 980 mg/kg for rats in contrast to 530 mg/kg for phenol. Its antibacterial properties mean that it inhibits plaque formation, and therefore it finds use in oral care appUcations. It has been used as a fungicidal treatment for fabrics and as an anthelmintic for both humans and animals. Synthetic thymol finds relatively little use in perfumes and flavors, oils, such as thyme and basil, being used in preference. 

Thyme oil is used as a flavor component, antispasmodic, carminative, counterirritant, or rubefacient in certain cough drops, antiseptic mouthwashes, and liniments. Thymol is similarly used in addition, it is used in antifungal preparations (for fungal skin infections), dental formulations, and others. 

Thymol (2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol) is the main monoterpene phenol, isomeric with carvacrol, found in thyme essential oil. This compound has revealed several biological properties, such as antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory."... 

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