Phytochemical constituents, biological activities, and health‐promoting effects of the genusOriganum

Abstract

Origanum species are mostly distributed around the Mediterranean, Euro‐Siberian, and Iran‐Siberian regions. Since time immemorial, the genus has popularly been used in Southern Europe, as well as on the American continent as a spice now known all over the world under the name “oregano” or “pizza‐spice.” Origanum plants are also employed to prepare bitter tinctures, wines, vermouths, beer, and kvass. The major components of Origanum essential oil are various terpenes, phenols, phenolic acids, and flavonoids with predominant occurrence of carvacrol and thymol (with reasonable amounts of p‐cymen and ‐terpinene) or of terpinene‐4‐ol, linalool, and sabinene hydrate. Many species of Origanum genus are used to treat kidney, digestive, nervous, and respiratory disorders, spasms, sore throat, diabetes, lean menstruation, hypertension, cold, insomnia, toothache, headache, epilepsy, urinary tract infections, etc. Origanum essential oil showed potent bioactivities owing to its major constituents' carvacrol, thymol, and monoterpenes. Several preclinical studies evidenced its pharmacological potential as antiproliferative or anticancer, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, anti‐obesity, renoprotective, antiinflammatory, vasoprotective, cardioprotective, antinociceptive, insecticidal, and hepatoprotective properties. Its nanotechnological applications as a promising pharmaceutical in order to enhance the solubility, physicochemical stability, and the accumulation rate of its essential oils have been investigated. However, Origanum has been reported causing angioedema, perioral dermatitis, allergic reaction, inhibition of platelet aggregation, hypoglycemia, and abortion. Conclusive evidences are still required for its clinical applications against human medical conditions. Toxicity analyses and risk assessment will aid to its safe and efficacious application. In addition, elaborate structure–activity studies are needed to explore the potential use of Origanum‐derived phytochemicals as promising drug candidates.

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

“…In Turkey, the flowering branches and the leaves were prepared as infusions and used for cold, flu, headache, or toothache [ 17 ]. Arial parts of oregano represent a habitual spice, especial in Mediterranean countries [ 18 ]. In addition to culinary and medicinal uses, oregano was also used in perfumery or as flavoring for alcoholic beverages [ 19 ].…”

“…Carvacrol as a major phytocompound in OEO may be responsible, in part, for the antiproliferative potential of OEO, as indicated by others, acting as suppressor of kinase ERK1/2 (extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase1/2) and AKT (Protein kinase B) proteins while upregulating BAX and phosphor c-Jun N-terminal kinase ( p -JNK) protein expression [ 18 ].…”

Sustainable Extraction Techniques for Obtaining Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Compounds from the Lamiaceae and Asteraceae Species

“…Because of their structural characteristics, phenolic compounds are considered as natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory chemicals which are able to avoid cellular damage related to oxidative stress. Moreover, phenolic compounds are considered to be capable of reducing the occurrence of many chronic pathologies and diseases, such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disease, and cancer [6]. Melissa officinalis L., commonly known as lemon balm, is a species of Lamiaceae typically used for the prevention and treatment of nervous disturbances and gastrointestinal disorders.…”

“…Origanum majorana L., also known as marjoram, is another species of Lamiaceae that has been appreciated because of its therapeutic properties against gastrointestinal, respiratory and neurological disorders. Extracts from marjoram, including its essential oil, have been reported to possess antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory activities [4,6]. Caffeic acid derivatives and flavonoids, along with ursolic acid, carvacrol and terpineol, have been associated with these biological activities [1,6].…”

Oregano Essential Oil Micro- and Nanoencapsulation With Bioactive Properties for Biotechnological and Biomedical Applications

“…Both carvacrol and thymol are monoterpenes with a single phenolic ring formed from the bonding of two isoprene molecules with three functional group substituents (Memar et al, 2017 ). Due to this chemical structure, they provide OEO with its antibacterial and antioxidant properties, in addition to its anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities (Sakkas and Papadopoulou, 2017 ; Sharifi-Rad et al, 2021 ). Due to these activities, OEO and its components have come to the forefront and are being widely investigated to be used as a food preservative, for active packaging, and the treatment of different diseases, such as infections (Bhalla et al, 2013 ).…”