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Anti-inflammatory activity of thymol and thymol-rich essential oils: mechanisms, applications, and recent findings

2025-06-03Journal article Open access
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dc.contributor.authorGago, Custódia
dc.contributor.authorSerralheiro, Ana
dc.contributor.authorMiguel, Maria da Graça
dc.date.accessioned2025-07-14T10:39:56Z
dc.date.available2025-07-14T10:39:56Z
dc.date.issued2025-06-03
dc.description.abstractThymol, a monoterpenoid phenol present in the essential oils of several aromatic plants, has attracted considerable attention for its anti-inflammatory effects, often in combination with other bioactive compounds. This work explores the mechanisms behind the anti-inflammatory activity of thymol and thymol-rich essential oils, summarizing recent experimental findings. Inflammation, a key factor in numerous chronic diseases, can be modulated by targeting essential molecular pathways, such as MAPK, NF-kappa B, JAK/STAT, and arachidonic acid signaling. Thymol has been shown to influence these pathways, reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators. Beyond its anti-inflammatory effects, thymol also exhibits a broad range of biological activities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. The applications of thymol and thymol-containing essential oils in therapeutic formulations, food additives, and veterinary medicine are also reviewed. Despite promising preclinical results, challenges such as low bioavailability and toxicity at high doses limit their clinical use. Recent developments in drug delivery systems, such as encapsulation in micro- and nanoparticles, are suggested as strategies to enhance efficacy. Additionally, the synergistic effects of thymol with other natural products are examined, offering the potential for improved therapeutic outcomes.eng
dc.description.sponsorshipCEECINST/00146/2018/CP1493/CT0003
dc.identifier.doi10.3390/molecules30112450
dc.identifier.issn1420-3049
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/27397
dc.language.isoeng
dc.peerreviewedyes
dc.publisherMDPI
dc.relationMediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development
dc.relation.ispartofMolecules
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subjectIn vitro
dc.subjectIn vivo
dc.subjectMechanism
dc.subjectSynergism
dc.subjectEncapsulation
dc.subjectChemotherapy
dc.subjectLivestock
dc.titleAnti-inflammatory activity of thymol and thymol-rich essential oils: mechanisms, applications, and recent findingseng
dc.typejournal article
dspace.entity.typePublication
oaire.awardTitleMediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development
oaire.awardURIinfo:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/UIDB%2F05183%2F2020/PT
oaire.citation.issue11
oaire.citation.startPage2450
oaire.citation.titleMolecules
oaire.citation.volume30
oaire.fundingStream6817 - DCRRNI ID
oaire.versionhttp://purl.org/coar/version/c_970fb48d4fbd8a85
person.familyNameGago
person.familyNameSerralheiro
person.familyNameMiguel
person.givenNameCustódia
person.givenNameAna
person.givenNameMaria da Graça
person.identifier.ciencia-id6517-A4D9-05AD
person.identifier.ciencia-id6110-6FE7-DF28
person.identifier.orcid0000-0001-9914-3615
person.identifier.orcid0000-0003-4549-5265
person.identifier.orcid0000-0003-2507-4228
person.identifier.ridG-8496-2019
person.identifier.scopus-author-id37060829600
person.identifier.scopus-author-id35562054500
project.funder.identifierhttp://doi.org/10.13039/501100001871
project.funder.nameFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
relation.isAuthorOfPublication52857c66-1fbd-4c23-ab8e-83bd6df478f5
relation.isAuthorOfPublicationc2e057a4-f764-4042-831d-8dd7e64c56a2
relation.isAuthorOfPublication2507350f-9e60-4d4a-a096-53e58d93549c
relation.isAuthorOfPublication.latestForDiscovery52857c66-1fbd-4c23-ab8e-83bd6df478f5
relation.isProjectOfPublication823bd652-ee6c-4479-91c5-06095bc37e9c
relation.isProjectOfPublication.latestForDiscovery823bd652-ee6c-4479-91c5-06095bc37e9c

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