carvacrol

Carvacrol is a monoterpenoid phenol and a natural compound found in the essential oils of various plants, notably oregano. It is recognized for its pungent aroma and diverse biological activities. Carvacrol exhibits strong antimicrobial effects against numerous bacteria and fungi by disrupting cytoplasmic membrane integrity, leading to ATP depletion in microbial cells. Its mechanism of action includes acting as an agonist of the Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily A member 1 (TRPA1) receptor, contributing to anti-inflammatory effects by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers. Carvacrol also demonstrates antioxidant properties by inducing enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and catalase (CAT). Additional reported activities include antitumor, antimutagenic, anti-obesity, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, neuroprotective effects via modulation of neurotransmitter pathways (serotonergic, dopaminergic, GABAergic), inhibition of prostaglandin production and Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells signaling pathway.

Other names

5-isopropyl-o-cresolp-cymen-2-olp-cymen2-olp-cymen 2-olcymophenol