Investigation of Phenolic Content, Antioxidant Capacities, Anthelmintic and Cytotoxic Activities of Thymus zygioides Griseb.

Aims: This study was designed to evaluate the total phenolic, flavonoid content and antioxidant properties of various extracts (ethanol, methanol, acetone, water) of Thymus zygioides and the ethanol extract was also investigated for phenolic components, anthelmintic and cytotoxic activities.

Materials and Methods: The antioxidant capacities of the extracts were examined for radical scavenging activities (DPPH, ABTS), antioxidant activities (β-carotene/linoleic acid test system, phosphomolybdenum method), power reducing and metal chelating activities. The phenolic content of the ethanol extract was determined using HPLC. The brine shrimp lethality test was used to screen for possible cytotoxic activity. Anthelmintic activity was evaluated using the aquarium worm, Tubifex tubifex.

Results: Among the four different extracts of T. zygioides evaluated, the methanol extract showed the highest amount of free radical scavenging (DPPH, 20.82µg/mL and ABTS, 11.44µg/mL) and antioxidant activities (phosphomolybdenum, 45.63µg/mg). In the metal chelating activity, acetone extract was statistically different from the other extracts (54.26%, P<0.05). The water extract exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity (β-carotene/linoleic acid test system, 82.20%) and the ethanol extract showed the highest amount of ferric reducing power activity (0.141 mg/mL). The HPLC analysis of the ethanolic extract showed the presence of some phenolics, such as caffeic acid, quercetin, and epicatechin. In addition, the ethanol extract exhibited cytotoxic activity with LC50, 436.25 µg/mL. Dose-dependent activity was observed in the anthelmintic properties of the ethanol extract and all doses of the ethanol extract showed better anthelmintic activity than the standard.

Conclusion: The results will help us to understand the importance and usage of this medicinal species in the food industry, traditional medicine, and pharmaceutical applications.