Evaluation of the Antimicrobial, Antioxidant andAnti-inflammatory Effects of Thyme Extract Against Periopathogens – An In vitro Study

Abstract BACKGROUND People globally are spiraling to herbal products to reconnect with nature over cost efficiency and minimal side effects. Thyme is a beneficial herbal plant with antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. Thymol has a suppressor effect on the growth of oral bacteria which helps in the reduction of decay. Antiseptic, expectorant, and antispasmodic activities are also documented to thyme extract .Our study aim was to assess the effect of antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of thyme extract via an in-vitro analysis against periodontal pathogens(P.g, A.a, F.n) . MATERIAL AND METHODS The thyme extract was prepared using soxhlet extractor. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration, and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MIC, MBC) was estimated using thioglycollate broth through serial dilution, whereas antioxidant effect was measured using DPPH radical scavenging activity. Anti-inflammatory effect was gauged using electrophoresis followed by zymogram renaturing buffer monitored by staining and then quantifying the bands based on intensity. RESULTS We observed that P. g, F. n, and A. a were resistant to thyme extract at 0.2 µg/ml(MIC )and P.g and F. n showed no growth from 0.4 µg/ml to 100 µg/ml. Whereas, for MBC, A.a showed no growth at 100 µg/ml to 50 µg/ml .Thyme extract exhibited positive results with inhibition of 87.1% for antioxidant activity and 51% inhibition against MMP-9 as an anti-inflammatory effect. CONCLUSION Thyme extract has revealed significant antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity against A.a, P.gingivalis, and F.nucleatum. It can be acclaimed as an alternative to several traditional synthetic medicines to eradicate periodontal diseases.