What does thymol do to bacteria?
Thymol has bactericidal activity against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, fungi and even parasites ( de Castro et al., 2015, Qiu et al., 2010 ). The MIC (128 μg/mL) of thymol against MRSA, and 0.5 MIC thymol significantly reduced the secretion of A and B haemolysin of MRSA ( Qiu et al., 2010 ).
Does thymol have bactericidal activity against A pleuropneumoniae?
In this study, we found that thymol had high bactericidal activity against A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 5b, an epidemic strain in China, significantly reduced bacterial biofilm formation and up-regulated the virulence genes purC, tbpB1 and clpP along with significant down-regulation of the virulence genes ApxI, ApxII and Apa1.
Can thymol be used as an alternative to antibiotics?
Alternative to antibiotics are urgently needed due to the serious increase in antimicrobial resistance. Thymol is a monoterpene phenol and efficiently kills a variety of bacteria. This study found that thymol has strong bactericidal effects on the A. pleuropneumoniae 5b serotype strain, an epidemic strain in China.
Where does thymol come from?
Thymol is naturally found in species of the genus Thymus and is the major component of plant volatile oil ( Wechsler et al., 2014 ).
What is thymol essential oil?
Thymol (2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol) is the main monoterpene phenol occurring in essential oils isolated from plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family (Thymus, Ocimum, Origanum, and Monarda genera), and other plants such as those belonging to the Verbenaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Ranunculaceae, and Apiaceae families. These essential oils are used in the food industry for their flavouring and preservative properties, in commercial mosquito repellent formulations for their natural repellent effect, in aromatherapy, and in traditional medicine for the treatment of headaches, coughs, and diarrhea. Many different activities of thymol such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, local anaesthetic, antinociceptive, cicatrizing, antiseptic, and especially antibacterial and antifungal properties have been shown. This review aims to critically evaluate the available literature regarding the antibacterial and antifungal effects of thymol.
Is thymol an antibacterial?
Many different activities of thymol such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, local anaesthetic, antinociceptive, cicatrizing, antiseptic, and especially antibacterial and antifungal properties have been shown. This review aims to critically evaluate the available literature regarding the antibacterial and antifungal effects of thymol.