title: Libyan Thymus capitatus essential oil: antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic and colon pathogen adhesion-inhibition properties.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the present work, the Libyan wild-growing Thymus capitatus essential oil (EO) was evaluated for its biological properties.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Carvacrol (68.19%) and thymol (12.29%) were found to be the main compounds of the oil. Antioxidant properties, determined by 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, revealed that IC50 values were 119, 403 and 105 μg ml(-1) for oil, thymol and carvacrol respectively. Microdilution method showed strong antibacterial and especially antifungal potential. Tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric assay indicated moderate cytotoxicity towards human cell lines MRC-5, HCT 116 and HT-29 (IC50 = 30-150 μg ml(-1)). In adhesion-inhibition assay oil and main compounds reduced adhesion of Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes on colon cells HT-29 (51 and 39% of inhibition against L. monocytogenes and E. coli respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Essential oil of Th. capitatus showed moderate cytotoxic activity, together with excellent antimicrobial effect, in particular against fungi, and significant potential to reduce pathogen colonization in colon.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first report that EO of Th. capitatus could protect against colonization of pathogens to colon epithelium. Thymus capitatus from Libya should be recognized as possible new source of natural antioxidants, antimicrobials as well as possible source of new chemotherapeutics.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden "Jevremovac", Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Džamić
authors.affiliation: Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden "Jevremovac", Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Nikolić
authors.affiliation: Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden "Jevremovac", Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Giweli
authors.affiliation: Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden "Jevremovac", Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Mitić-Ćulafić
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Soković
authors.affiliation: Institute for Medicinal Plant Research "Dr Josif Pančić", Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Ristić
authors.affiliation: Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden "Jevremovac", Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Knežević-Vukčević
authors.affiliation: Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden "Jevremovac", Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Marin
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects*; D003106:Colon / Q000382:microbiology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D046930:Thymus Plant / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Thymus capitatus; antimicrobial activity; antioxidant; cytotoxicity; essential oil