Ufuk Özgen
Karadeniz Technical University, Turkey
Title: Thymus and Origanum species growing in Turkey: Their phytochemical and biological activity properties
Biography
Biography: Ufuk Özgen
Abstract
Thymus and Origanum genus, belonging to the Nepetoideae subfamily of Lamiaceae family, are culinary and medicinal herbs. Thymus species are known as “Kekik, nemamulotu, sater” in Turkey. They are represented by 64 taxon and 27 of which are endemic for Turkish flora. Origanum species are known as “mercanköÅŸk, merzengüÅŸ, kekik”. They are represented by 32 taxa and 22 species in the flora of Turkey, 21 of which are endemic. Thymus and Origanum species are essential oil bearing plants. Their spice properties have made them one of the most popular plants in Turkey. Both are used for cold, respiratory system disease, gastrointestinal disorders, urinary system disorders in Turkey. There have been a lot of studies on essential oils of these species in Turkey. In the course of our phytochemical studies on aerial parts of three Thymus and four Origanum species growing in Turkey, rosmarinic acid has been isolated from all species studied. Luteolin 5-O-glucoside and ursolic acic have been isolated from all Thymus species. Lithospermic acid has been isolated from T. pseudopulegioides, O. acutidens, and O. rotundifolium. Betulalbuside A, and 8-OH linaloyl glucoside have been isolated from T. pseudopulegioides and O. acutidens. Thymoquinol 2,5-O-diglucoside has been isolated from T. praecox subsp. grossheimii var. grossheimii. Myristyl alcohol has been isolated from O. micranthum, O. rotundifolium, and O. minutiflorum. The structures of these compounds have been elucidated using by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 2D NMR and MS techniques. In the course of our biological activity studies on the isolated compounds and extracts obtained from these species, neuroprotective, antioxidant, antimicrobial and tyrosinase inhibitory activities have been detected.
