Effects of Carvacrol and Volatile Fraction of Winter Savory (Satureja montana L.) on Body Temperature in Humans Who Experience Cold Sensitivity

Abstract

Ingestion of winter savory extract has been reported to inhibit the decrease in peripheral body temperature in people who experience cold sensitivity. However, the active ingredients underlying this effect are not known. We sought to elucidate the effects of the volatile components of winter savory on body temperature. Carvacrol (the main volatile component and a transient receptor potential channel ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) agonist in winter savory) increased core body temperature, but did not inhibit the decrease in peripheral body temperature after ingestion. In addition, the volatile fraction of winter savory (which contained various components in addition to carvacrol) induced not only an increase in core body temperature, but also inhibited the decrease in peripheral body temperature. These results suggest that the volatile components in winter savory may be effective for alleviating cold sensitivity, and that carvacrol is one of the active ingredients in winter savory.

Contribution of Volatile Components in Winter Savory (<i>Satureja montana</i> L.) to Changes in Body Temperature in Humans Who Experience Cold Sensitivity

“…2 with that from a previous study (Masuda et al, 2013), CBT showed a different tendency as follows: in the previous study, CBT after ingestion of WSV was significantly higher than that after ingestion of the placebo; whereas, in Exp. 2, CBT after ingestion of WSV showed a lower tendency compared to that after ingestion of the placebo.…”

“…2) with those after ingestion of WSV (the amounts of thymol and carvacrol in WSV are the same as those in the mixture used in Exp. 3) reported by Masuda et al (2013). As a result, the ingestion of the mixture (in Exp.…”

“…3) compared to those after the ingestion of placebo. We previously reported that the ingestion of carvacrol contributed to the increase in CBT but not to the changes in BST (Masuda et al, 2013). Therefore, comparing CBTs in Exp.…”

“…In addition, the ingestion of carvacrol, a main component of WSV, is reported to increase CBT (tympanic membrane temperature) in people with cold sensitivity (Masuda et al, 2013). However, it did not affect BSTs of the wrist, finger, ankle, forehead and neck.…”

“…an increase in the core body temperature (CBT), an inhibition of decreases in BSTs of the wrist, finger and ankle, and an increase in BSTs of the forehead and neck (Masuda et al, 2013). In addition, the ingestion of carvacrol, a main component of WSV, is reported to increase CBT (tympanic membrane temperature) in people with cold sensitivity (Masuda et al, 2013).…”