Planta Med 2006; 72 - P_088
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-949888

Carvacrol as the inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2, the key enzymes of prostaglandin biosynthesis: in vitro assays

P Marsik 1, P Landa 1, M Pribylova 1, T Vanek 1, L Kokoška 2
  • 1Department of Plant Tissue Cultures, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, Flemingovo n. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
  • 2Department of Crop Sciences and Agroforestry, Institute of Tropics and Subtropics, Czech University of Agriculture Prague, Prague, Czech Republic

Carvacrol is a phenolic monoterpene which is one of the most abundant constituents in essential oil of many aromatic plants such as oregano (Origanum vulgare L.), savory (Satureja thymbra L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare L.) and black cumin (Nigella sativa L.). These species are widely used in traditional medicine against various microbial diseases and gastrointestinal and inflammatory disorders. Antimicrobial, antiangiogenic, antioxidative and analgesic activity of carvacrol was also confirmed by recent studies [1, 2]. Carvacrol is closely related to other phenolic monoterpenes as thymol or eugenol, which anti-inflammatory effects have been published [3]. The inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and –2 (COX-2) enzymatic activities by carvacrol is reported here.

The anti-inflammatory assay was based on inhibition of activity of COX-1 and –2, which catalyzes prostaglandin biosynthesis from [14C] radioactive arachidonic acid. The inhibition was monitored as concentration of prostaglandin E2 and D2, the biosynthetic products of the COX reaction. The identification and quantification of the metabolites were performed by HPLC on C18 reversed phase column with an on-line radioactivity flow detector. IC50 values and percentage inhibition of different carvacrol concentrations were compared with COX inhibitors indomethacin and NS-398 as control samples. Student's two tailed t-test was employed for calculation of statistical significance and IC50 values were determined by regression analysis.

Carvacrol as well as other inhibitors showed similar inhibition activity against COX-1 and -2. IC50 were almost identical for all tested substances. Inhibition effect of carvacrol (IC50 =0.7) as well as indomethacin (IC50 =0.6) on COX-1 was stronger in comparison with COX-2 (IC50 =0.9 for both inhibitors). These results probably indicate non-specific but relatively strong inhibition of COX activity by carvacrol.

Acknowledgements: This work was supported by 1P04OC926.001 research project and Z4055 0506 project

References: 1. Faleiro, L. et al. (2005), J. Agr. Food Chem. 53: 8162–8168. 2. Aydin, S. et al. (1996), Phytoter. Res. 10: 342–344. 3. Marsik, et al. (2005) Planta Med. 71: 739–742.