Today’s Solutions: November 04, 2024
Medicinal plant properties

Thyme and oregano aren’t just for cooking. The plants have been used for centuries as herbal remedies to treat a number of illnesses.

Thymol, a compound that carries antibacterial properties and fights against muscle spasms, can be extracted from thyme. This chemical is often used in cough syrups, bronchitis remedies, fungicides, medical disinfectants, and more. Another incredible chemical called carvacrol carries similar properties and is found in oregano. These chemicals are actually the culprits of the plant’s recognizable fragrant smells.

Understanding the process

Teams of scientists, from Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg and Purdue University, combined to investigate exactly what is happening in the plants to produce these molecules. Due to the complexity of the processes, precise chemical pathways were previously unknown.

“It’s like a production line in a factory: every step needs to be coordinated and the desired product only emerges when the steps are carried out in the right order,” said Professor Jörg Degenhardt, author of the paper. Though instead of machines, plants recruit specific enzymes to coordinate the complex multi-stage conversion process.

What were the results?

Each step was investigated, yielding impressive results which solve the decade-old mystery of the synthesis process and associated enzymes. The team also discovered that by adding another enzyme into the mix, thymol and carvacrol could be converted into molecules with incredible anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects.

These findings, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, are important for new disease and cancer remedies, especially for people who prefer a more natural approach to treatment. Also, understanding the exact mechanism of plant processes is beneficial for farmers and industrial factories trying to harvest their products.

Source study: Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesThe biosynthesis of thymol, carvacrol, and thymohydroquinone in Lamiaceae proceeds via cytochrome P450s and a short-chain dehydrogenase

Solutions News Source Print this article
More of Today's Solutions

Out of Body Pop is creating safe spaces for neurodivergent music fans

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Out of Body Pop, a unique music event at London's EartH Kitchen, provides a space for neurodivergent people ...

Read More

How micro-meditations help reduce stress anytime, anywhere

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In today's fast-paced world, taking time for stress relief might be overwhelming—especially if you're already overburdened. The recommendation ...

Read More

How to naturally purify the air in your home

Since we’re spending more time than ever at home these days, it’s time we consider the quality of air in our homes. After all, ...

Read More

James Webb Space Telescope officially launches into space

As most of us were celebrating Christmas morning in December 2021, NASA was celebrating a different event: the successful launch of the James Webb Space ...

Read More