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

Sharifi-Rad M., YILMAZ Y. B., Antika G., Salehi B., TÜMER T., Venil C. K., ...More

PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, vol.35, no.1, pp.95-121, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Review
  • Volume: 35 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1002/ptr.6785
  • Journal Name: PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, EMBASE, Index Islamicus, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Page Numbers: pp.95-121
  • Keywords: anticancer, biological activity, essential oil, nanotechnology, Origanum, ORIGANUM-VULGARE L., SUPERCRITICAL-FLUID EXTRACTION, DIFFERENT DRYING METHODS, ESSENTIAL OIL DIVERSITY, SPECIES GROWING WILD, MEDICINAL-PLANTS, CHEMICAL-COMPOSITION, ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES, TRADITIONAL USES, ROSMARINIC ACID
  • Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Origanumspecies 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."Origanumplants are also employed to prepare bitter tinctures, wines, vermouths, beer, and kvass. The major components ofOriganumessential oil are various terpenes, phenols, phenolic acids, and flavonoids with predominant occurrence of carvacrol and thymol (with reasonable amounts ofp-cymen and -terpinene) or of terpinene-4-ol, linalool, and sabinene hydrate. Many species ofOriganumgenus 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.Origanumessential 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,Origanumhas 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 ofOriganum-derived phytochemicals as promising drug candidates.