Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDIES OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF THYMUS VULGARIS

Nema S Shaban*, Tohamy MA, El-Banna HA, Abeer M Radi, El-Gendy AA, Asmaa I Owis

ABSTRACT

The medicinal plants have been played an important role in the preparation of many drugs. Thymus vulgaris has been extensively used in folk medicine for the treatment of headache, fevers, ulcers, arthritis, microbial infections even cancers. The current study was designed to investigate some phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of ethanolic extract of Thymus vulgaris as indicated by experimental tests. The results showed that Thymus vulgaris leaves contain alkaloids, carbohydrates and glycosides, flavenoids, resins, saponins, tannins and unsaturated sterols and triterpenes. Acute toxicity study of the extract showed no toxicological symptoms, mortality and post mortem changes at the maximum dose of 7000 mg/kg body weight. Pre-treatment with ethanolic extract of Thymus vulgaris at dose levels of (250-500 mg/kg, orally) significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the ulcer index and increased the gastroprotective activity at dose dependant manner in comparison with control group. Also, topical application of ethanolic extract of Thymus vulgaris ointment (10 %) once daily on wound area exerted rapid closure of the wound and enhanced the wound healing process. In conclusion, this study has established the antiulcerogenic and wound healing activities of ethanolic extract of Thymus vulgaris and thus, justifies the ethnic uses of the plant. However, further studies are required to isolate active compounds from the potent extract and to elucidate the exact mechanism of action.

Keywords: Thymus vulgaris, phytochemical tests, antiulcerogenic effect, wound healing.