A Recent Insight Regarding the Phytochemistry and Bioactivity of Origanum vulgare L. Essential Oil

Abstract

Origanum vulgare L. is a widely used aromatic plant, especially due to its content in essential oil, mainly rich in carvacrol and thymol. The ethnopharmacological uses of Origanum vulgare L. essential oil (OEO) comprise digestive, respiratory, or dermatological disorders. The review focuses on the increasing number of recent studies investigating several biological activities of OEO. The bioactivities are in tight relation to the phytochemical profile of the essential oil, and also depend on taxonomic, climatic, and geographical characteristics of the plant material. The antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, skin disorders beneficial effects, next to antihyperglycemic and anti-Alzheimer activities were reported and confirmed in multiple studies. Moreover, recent studies indicate a positive impact on skin disorders of OEO formulated as nanocarrier systems in order to improve its bioavailability and, thus, enhancing its therapeutic benefits. The review brings an up to date regarding the phytochemistry and bioactivity of Origanum vulgare L. essential oil, underlining also the most successful pharmaceutical formulation used for skin disorders.

Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum (Lamiaceae) Essential Oil Prevents Behavioral and Oxidative Stress Changes in the Scopolamine Zebrafish Model

“…Supporting evidence demonstrated the AChE inhibitory activity of the O. vulgare . Important AChE inhibitory activity of O. vulgare L. grown in Supra Mediterranean region (IC 50 = 73.7 ± 0.5 μL/L) and Meso-Mediterranean region (IC 50 = 61.5 ± 0.5 μL/L) was observed [ 59 , 60 ]. Sarikurcku et al [ 61 ] reported the AChE inhibitory effect of essential oils derived from two species of O. vulgare L.: O. vulgare subsp.…”

Phytogenic Bioactive Compounds Shape Fish Mucosal Immunity

“…Phenolics and terpenes are a group of volatile plant-derived bioactive compounds with medicinal and biotechnological value that constitute the dominant fraction of the essential oils derived from aromatic plants (3). The monoterpenes carvacrol and its isomer thymol are the most studied phenolic compounds, representing the major components of the essential oils from several aromatic plants of the Lamiaceae family like the oregano (Origanum vulgare) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) (109,110). These compounds are particularly studied and recognized for their bactericidal activity, since their lipophilic character act as bacterial membrane permeabilizers with cytotoxic effects upon bacterial structure and function, leading to membrane expansion, fluidity and permeability, disturbance of the membrane-embedded proteins, respiration inhibition and alteration of ion transport.…”

Tailored Functionalization of Natural Phenols to Improve Biological Activity

“…Carvacrol (5-isopropyl-2-methylphenol) is a phenolic monoterpenoid compound, and it is a major component of oregano and thyme essential oils. Together with its isomer, thymol (2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol), it is the main active ingredient responsible for essential oils’ biological activity [ 82 , 83 , 84 ]. In fact, carvacrol’s peculiar antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic and anticancer activities are currently well established, and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved its use as an additive in food products.…”