Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) affect worldwide and influence people from diverse cultures, socioeconomic status, ethnicities, and healthcare systems. The underlying pathogenesis of CVD predominately ...includes atherosclerotic plaques, which further lead to coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular diseases, resulting in stroke, arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, and many more. Conventional pharmacological therapies that treat CVDs are costly and have numerous side effects. Despite the effectiveness of these therapies, remarkable gaps remained in the treatment of CVDs. Consequently, traditional herbs and phytomedicines have revived interest as natural remedies. Phenolic monoterpene, carvacrol, was reported to have numerous pharmacological applications. This review aims to provide comprehensive, categorized, and updated mechanisms by which carvacrol shows its cardioprotective effect in various heart illnesses to analyze its therapeutic ability. Comprehensive literature forage was carried out, and the available information regarding carvacrol and CVDs was retrieved using scientific electronic search (PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science). In this review, we focused on the therapeutic role and underlying mechanism of carvacrol in CVDs as per existing literature evidence. We highlighted the benefits of carvacrol in myocardial infarction, cardiac hypertrophy, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia, sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy, drug-induced cardiotoxicity, and stroke/cerebral ischemic/reperfusion injury and enumerated the potential mechanism of action. Carvacrol may have shown efficacy against various CVDs by antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Further detailed studies are required to translate the carvacrol from preclinical candidate to clinical hope.
The genus Lavandula encompasses plants commonly known for their bioactivities and applications as insecticides. Despite this recognition, certain species such as Lavandula mairei Humbert have ...received no attention. For this reason, our study offers a close insight into the chemical profile, insecticidal (i.e. fumigant and contact toxicity), repellent, and antifeedant effect of Lavandula mairei var. antiatlantica (Maire) Maire essential oil (LMEO) against Sitophilus oryzae (L.), a major stored product insect. Additionally, the major compound of LMEO, i.e. carvacrol, was also tested for the aforementioned bioactivities. In the fumigant bioassays LMEO and carvacrol showed LC50 values of 69.5 and 69.3 μL/L of air, respectively, after 72 h while in the contact bioassays LC50 values of 0.14 and 0.117 μL/insect, respectively, after 24 h. In terms of antifeedant effect, carvacrol and LMEO significantly influenced the Feeding Deterrent Index (FDI) recording 83.2 and 55.0%, respectively, at a concentration of 3.2%. Furthermore, a notable reduction of 5.5 and 2.1-fold in Relative Consumption Rate (RCR) was observed for carvacrol and LMEO, respectively, compared to the control. Regarding the repellent effect, carvacrol and LMEO exhibited percentages of repellency (PR) of 94 and 82%, respectively, at 0.312 μL/cm2 after 24 h. In conclusion, our study underscores the significant insecticidal, feeding deterrent, and repellent effects of LMEO and its major compound against the rice weevil. Its cultivable potential and bioactivities confirmed through this study promote its use as sustainable pest control solution.
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•LMEO exhibited insecticidal effects against Sitophilus oryzae adults through fumigation and contact exposure routes.•Lavandula mairei EO repelled and disrupted the appetite of S. oryzae.•Carvacrol was identified as the major compound of Lavandula mairei var. antiatlantica essential oil (LMEO).•All the bioactivities previously observed using LMEO was confirmed using carvacrol.
•Ensure food for a growing population is a concern to governmental authorities.•Essential oils have antimicrobial activities against foodborne pathogens.•Their application for food preservation is ...hampered by its high volatility and low solubility.•Encapsulation of bioactive compounds is an efficient strategy to overcome limitations.•The cationic charge of nanoparticles facilitates microbial membrane penetration.
Carvacrol (CAR) is a natural bioactive compound with antioxidant and antimicrobial activity that is present in essential oils. The application of CAR in food preservation is hampered by its high volatility, low solubility in water, and susceptibility to light, heat and oxygen degradation. Polylactide (PLA) is an FDA-approved polymer derived from renewable resources. Controlled release of CAR from PLA nanoparticles (NPs) could improve its antimicrobial efficacy and storage. In this study, negatively charged CAR-NPs and positively charged polyethylenimine (PEI)-coated CAR-(PEI)NPs were formulated by nanoprecipitation methods and characterised by dynamic light scattering, electron microscopy, encapsulation efficiency, and drug loading capacity. The positively charged (PEI)NPs enhanced the in vitro antimicrobial activity of CAR against Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica and Staphylococcus aureus. Bacterial uptake, evaporation tests, release studies and NP stability after storage were assessed to provide evidence supporting CAR-(PEI)NPs as a potential nanocarrier for further development in food preservation.
Background and objectives: Overuse and misuse of antibiotics in the agricultural and healthcare sectors have led to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains. Therefore, finding alternative ...antimicrobial compounds, such as phytochemicals, is of great importance. This study evaluated the feasibility of carvacrol as an antifungal agent in suppressing the planktonic and hyphal growth of clinical isolates of fluconazole-susceptible and -resistant Candida tropicalis. Methods: Clinical isolates of fluconazole-resistant C. tropicalis were identified using the CLSI guidelines and the World Health Organization's WHONET software. The inhibitory effect of carvacrol on planktonic cells was assessed by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and time-kill profile. The inhibitory effect of carvacrol on hyphal growth was studied by using light field microscopy. Results: The findings indicated that 50% of clinical isolates of C. tropicalis were resistant to fluconazole. The MIC90 and MIC50 of carvacrol against clinical isolates of fluconazole-susceptible and -resistant C. tropicalis were 25.00-300.00 µg/ml and 12.50-100.00 µg/ml, respectively. The time-kill analysis indicated that carvacrol exhibited fungicidal activity against the fluconazole-susceptible and -resistant C. tropicalis isolates 2-48 hours after exposure. Moreover, planktonic and hyphal growth of the isolates decreased significantly after exposure to carvacrol. Conclusion: The findings revealed that carvacrol exhibits inhibitory effects on the planktonic and hyphal cells of fluconazole-susceptible and -resistant C. tropicalis isolates. Therefore, the antifungal potential of carvacrol as a natural antifungal could be further exploited for the treatment of resistant C. tropicalis infections
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•Ordered-mesoporous SiO2 was synthesized, surface area of 707 m2/g and 28 nm pore size.•Molecular docking was carried out between SiMONP and the carcinogenic protein BRAF.•The ...carvacrol presents the best interactions due to the Hbond interactions.•SiMONPs allowed a progressive release of carvacrol 0.0009 mg/h for one-week under PBS.•The hemolysis toxicity test was less than 5%, which shows the safe use of SiMONPs.
The potential for dosing anticancer target molecules of silica nanoparticles with ordered mesoporosity (SiMONPs), 28 nm in diameter and surface area of 706 m2/g, was evaluated by the loading and release of carvacrol, chloroquine, and rhodamine-B. The ligand–protein interaction (BRAF oncogene) was determined by docking. The fine structure of the SiMONPs with nanometric porosity allowed a slow and progressive release according to the passive diffusion mechanism. The most favorable anticancer interaction was displayed by carvacrol with a ligand efficiency value of −6.7 kcal/mol. At the same time, chloroquine and rhodamine-B had values of −5.0 kcal/mol and −3.4 kcal/mol, severally. The target displayed a “preference” to interact first with the SiMONPs rather than with carvacrol. The material could be dosed at 0.0009 mg/h for a week under PBS medium conditions, so the material resulted suitable for dosing and controlling the growth of skin cancer cells.
The composite fibrous films were developed from zein and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) by incorporating carvacrol at three different concentrations (5, 10 and 20%) using electrospinning. The morphology and ...size of fibers obtained from both zein and PLA were affected by the level of the incorporated carvacrol. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results showed that carvacrol was encapsulated in electrospun zein and PLA fibers. The antioxidant activity of carvacrol loaded zein fibers ranged from 62 to 75%, while antioxidant capacity of PLA fibers varied from 53 to 65% for 5–20% carvacrol content. The composite fibrous films showed a sustained diffusion controlled release behavior. Preliminary studies on whole wheat bread samples showed that carvacrol loaded electrospun zein and PLA fibers are able to preserve bread samples, indicating that they are good candidates for active food packaging applications to extend the shelf life of whole wheat bread.
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•Carvacrol was successfully encapsulated in electrospun zein and PLA fibers using electrospinning process.•Surface morphology of fibers significantly affected the release of carvacrol from electrospun fibers.•Carvacrol loaded electrospun fibers exhibited antioxidant activities.•The composite fibrous zein and PLA films at 20% carvacrol content inhibited 99.6 and 91.3% of the growth of mold and yeast.
In recent years, essential oils constituents have attracted interest as alternative approach in the traditional medicine for their therapeutics properties. In this field, carvacrol, since it showed ...strong antimicrobial activity against a wide range of Gram-positive and -negative bacteria, has emerged as active molecule for therapeutic purpose. This review focuses on the antimicrobial properties of carvacrol and highlights the advantageous impact of the medicinal chemistry and technological-based approaches employed to improve its therapeutic profile.
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In this study, it was aimed to produce and characterize various concentrations of carvacrol and lanolin loaded PVP nanofibers via electrospinning. Various concentrations of carvacrol:lanolin were ...added to the PVP polymer solutions such as 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15 wt %. Solution properties such as viscosity, conductivity, and surface tension were measured. In terms of characterization studies, SEM, FT-IR, TGA and DSC analysis were carried out. According to the results of the study, viscosity increased and conductivity decreased with carvacrol:lanolin concentration increasement. However, surface tension was not affected from carvacrol:lanolin concentration. Nanowebs quality improved with carvacrol:lanolin concentrations. Generally, nanofibers are quite fine, smooth, and uniform. FT-IR spectrums verified that PVP, carvacrol and lanolin exist in the structure of nanofibers chemically. DSC and TGA results demonstrated that the thermal stability of carvacrol and lanolin, which have poor thermal stability, was enhanced by incorporating them into the PVP nanofiber structures. Considering antibacterial properties of carvacrol and wound healing properties of lanolin, these composite nanofiber surfaces have a high potential for use in the biomedical field, especially as a wound dressing.
Consumption of contaminated food appears to be the main route of acquiring listeriosis and has been estimated as the source of L. monocytogenes infection for up to 99% of cases. The interest in and ...combined use of natural food preservatives to control Listeria contamination of food products has dramatically increased in recent years. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of carvacrol, a major component of oregano essential oil, against L. monocytogenes. Changes in membrane permeability, membrane depolarization, respiratory activity and membrane structure were determined to elucidate possible mechanisms of action. Carvacrol had potent antibacterial activity against all strains studied, including 10403S and food isolates, with a MIC of 250 μg/ml and MBC ranging from 250 to 500 μg/ml. Bacterial cells exposed to carvacrol showed increased membrane permeability and depolarization, and changes in respiratory activity. Transmission electron microscopic analysis showed degenerative changes of cell wall and cytoplasmic membrane, and structural disruption to L. monocytogenes cells treated with carvacrol. These results indicated that carvacrol inactivates the bacterium through a multi-target action that disrupts cell membranes leading to cell lysis, as well as inhibits the respiratory activity. The synergistic interaction of carvacrol and nisin against L. monocytogenes 10403S and three food isolates (CM2, CM8 and CM11) was shown in vitro by checkerboard assay with FICI values ranging from 0.375 to 0.500. The synergic effect of carvacrol and nisin on the survival of L. monocytogenes 10403S was examined during 4 °C storage of sliced bologna sausages. For up to seven days, the presence of carvacrol combined with nisin resulted in significant growth rate reductions compared to those of controls (p < 0.05). These results indicated that the combination of carvacrol and nisin might be an effective natural antimicrobial application with potential use as a preservative to control L. monocytogenes in foods.
•Carvacrol has potent antimicrobial activity against L. monocytogenes.•Carvacrol kills L. monocytogenes cells through multi-target actions.•Synergistic effects of carvacrol and nisin were observed both in vitro and in a food model.
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