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Thyme oil can inhibit COX2 and suppress inflammation (Carvacrol)
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology ^ | Jan 13, 2010 | Unknown

Posted on 01/13/2010 10:53:51 AM PST by decimon

Appearing in the January 2010 issue of JLR

For those who do not drink, researchers have found that six essential oils –from thyme, clove, rose, eucalyptus, fennel and bergamot—can suppress the inflammatory COX-2 enzyme, in a manner similar to resveratrol, the chemical linked with the health benefits of red wine. They also identified that the chemical carvacrol was primarily responsible for this suppressive activity.

These findings, appearing in the January issue of Journal of Lipid Research, provide more understanding of the health benefits of many botanical oils and provide a new avenue for anti-inflammatory drugs.

Essential oils from plants have long been a component of home remedies, and even today are used for their aromatherapy, analgesic (e.g. cough drops), or antibacterial properties. Of course, the exact way they work is not completely understood. However, Hiroyasu Inoue and colleagues in Japan believed that many essential oils might target COX-2 much like compounds in wine and tea.

So, they screened a wide range of commercially available oils and identified six (thyme, clove, rose, eucalyptus, fennel and bergamot) that reduced COX-2 expression in cells by at least 25%. Of these, thyme oil proved the most active, reducing COX-2 levels by almost 75%.

When Inoue and colleagues analyzed thyme oil, they found that the major component –carvacrol– was the primary active agent; in fact when they use pure carvacrol extracts in their tests COX-2 levels decreased by over 80%.

###

From the article: "Carvacrol, a component of thyme oil, activates PPAR-gamma and suppresses COX-2 expression" by Mariko Hotta, Rieko Nakata, Michiko Katsukawa, Kazuyuki Hori, Saori Takahashi, and Hiroyasu Inoue

Corresponding Author: Hiroyasu Inoue, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Nara Women's University, Nara, Japan; Tel: +81-742-20-3458, Email: inoue@cc.nara-wu.ac.jp

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization with over 12,000 members in the United States and internationally. Most members teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. Others conduct research in various government laboratories, nonprofit research institutions and industry. The Society's student members attend undergraduate or graduate institutions.

Founded in 1906, the Society is based in Bethesda, Maryland, on the campus of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. The Society's purpose is to advance the science of biochemistry and molecular biology through publication of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the Journal of Lipid Research, and Molecular and Cellular Proteomics, organization of scientific meetings, advocacy for funding of basic research and education, support of science education at all levels, and promoting the diversity of individuals entering the scientific work force.

For more information about ASBMB, see the Society's Web site at www.asbmb.org.


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: alternativemedicine; carvacrol; cloveoil; cox2inhibitor; health; inflammation; medicine; thymeoil
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1 posted on 01/13/2010 10:53:52 AM PST by decimon
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To: neverdem; DvdMom

In thyme ping.


2 posted on 01/13/2010 10:54:43 AM PST by decimon
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To: decimon

This is for high blood pressure or arthitis? Or both?


3 posted on 01/13/2010 10:58:52 AM PST by Frantzie (TV - sending Americans towards islamic serfdom - Cancel TV service NOW)
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To: decimon

book mark also.


4 posted on 01/13/2010 11:02:25 AM PST by mel
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To: decimon

book mark also.


5 posted on 01/13/2010 11:02:33 AM PST by mel
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To: hennie pennie

*ping*


6 posted on 01/13/2010 11:07:48 AM PST by hennie pennie
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To: decimon
The best damn pill for joint inflammation that I have ever stumbled across is a old drug known as Mobic. It's a four dollar walmart prescrip that has recently worked wonders for me..(knees, hips, shoulders)

Just thought I'd report my findings to those who suffer as I do. I have tried all the high dollar stuff and only recently discovered this oldie but goodie. It takes about a month(for me) to get the full effects, but I find it to be a keeper. My knees show absolutely no sign of inflammation and that condition has persisted for nearly two decades.

A bit hard on the tummy so take with plenty of fluids....or just water is fine. As a result, my heavy use of ibuprofen has stopped (2400 mgs per day or more).

7 posted on 01/13/2010 11:13:23 AM PST by Cold Heat
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To: Frantzie
This is for high blood pressure or arthitis? Or both?

Not sure. Better to wait for someone who actually knows something.

8 posted on 01/13/2010 11:13:30 AM PST by decimon
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To: Cold Heat
The best damn pill for joint inflammation that I have ever stumbled across is a old drug known as Mobic.

For arthritis? Rheumatoid arthritis? Toe mold?

9 posted on 01/13/2010 11:16:16 AM PST by decimon
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To: Cold Heat

What is Mobic?

Mobic is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Mobic works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.

Mobic is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by arthritis.

Mobic may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Mobic?

This medicine can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Seek emergency medical help if you have symptoms of heart or circulation problems, such as chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.

This medicine can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking Mobic. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.

Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of bleeding in your stomach or intestines. This includes black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

ttp://www.drugs.com/mobic.html

Hank


10 posted on 01/13/2010 11:21:13 AM PST by Hank Kerchief
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To: decimon
My artritis is a mix of ostio and a bit of rheumatoid according to the medics....My joints are dead and necrotic, or dying.....Lots of pain and too much to fix with replacements. I would be the true million dollar man.
11 posted on 01/13/2010 11:21:55 AM PST by Cold Heat
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To: Hank Kerchief
Same risks on a bottle of ibuprofen.

Frankly speaking, a heart attack would be a blessing for me, but that's another story.

12 posted on 01/13/2010 11:24:08 AM PST by Cold Heat
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To: Hank Kerchief

I can’t tolerate NSAIDs at all any more. They have severe side effects on the GI system. It’s not just the risk of ulcers, which is widely publicized, but effects on the colon. Also, I’ve read that long-term use of NSAIDs tends to lower testosterone levels.


13 posted on 01/13/2010 11:39:46 AM PST by hellbender
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To: Hank Kerchief
Mobic is one of the older NSAIDs. Like Clinoril (generic name is Sulindac)it has been around for many years and is a relatively-safe product. Of course all NSAIDs run the risk of causing bleeding ulcers or strokes/heart attacks but the older medicines have a better track record than the newer stuff that was pulled from the market. I struggled for many years with degenerative disks in my lower back. At times I was virtually out of my mind with pain. I used Sulindac with great success for two years, but I always worried if the next dose was the one that was going to kill me. I switched to taking fish oil (Omega 3) as an anti-inflammatory in fairly significant dosages and I have never looked back. If you can, get off the NSAIDs and find something that naturally reduces inflamation. There are lots of answers today without resorting to medicines that could kill you.
14 posted on 01/13/2010 11:49:01 AM PST by burghguy
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To: Cold Heat

FWIW, about 20 years ago, at age 45, I began having joint problems after a bout of hepatitis. My joints became easily hurt and very slow to heal. I didn’t see a doctor about that because I didn’t want to begin the downward spiral of medication.

I did begin a pretty strict low-carb diet to lose weight. Amazingly, my joint problems all but disappeared along with my flab. I don’t know what was my joint problem or if what worked for me would help you. But it’s a thought.


15 posted on 01/13/2010 11:55:39 AM PST by decimon
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To: decimon

Who in their right mind would want to suppress a COX to the second power? Shoosh - if I eat thyme my COX will shrink?


16 posted on 01/13/2010 12:06:06 PM PST by equalitybeforethelaw
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To: decimon
No, no hep issues...They (doctors) don't really have a cause, but I believe it may well be partly genetic,(history of broken bones) partly life style as I had a very physical career, (lots of climbing and stressed joints)and partly a degenerative sequence of events where calcium build up in my vascular system from the degenerating joints eventually block the feeder arteries or veins supporting the joints and essentially is killing them one by one. I have calcium in my heart as well as of the last check and it's likely everywhere. I am loaded with the stuff and there is no way that I know of or that the doctors know of to safely remove any of it.

I just smell the flowers and watch birds these days. Totally retired as of the first of the year. I am not very mobile anymore. I will be 59 in about 6 weeks. Same age as Rush. I don't expect many more and males in my family rarely collect a social security check for very long.

17 posted on 01/13/2010 12:09:25 PM PST by Cold Heat
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To: Cold Heat

Calcium. Vitamin D, and perhaps some other things, regulates how the body uses calcium.

I used to think I got enough sunlight for vitamin D but I’ve learned otherwise. Now I supplement.


18 posted on 01/13/2010 12:22:39 PM PST by decimon
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To: decimon
Calcium is very important to most every function of the body. It is absolutely critical to muscles and the vascular system. This is why removing it is so dangerous. We have drugs that combine with calcium and then are excreted or filtered out, but the process can easily kill organs and stop the heart.

I can't regulate what I have because the excess calcium is floating around in my lymphatic system and absorbed and stored in the vascular system which is a normal and necessary function.

I don't know of anything I can do. I have Internet key word searches that return results automatically to my computer. I have joined a number of sites that are supposed to be restricted to medical professionals to gather information of recent research papers and the like, and I just can't find anything that could help....but I'd like to hang around for a while longer so I try.

I do appreciate your concerns and I wish vitamin D or something simple would work, but I literally have pounds of free calcium just floating about as a result of joint deterioration and resulting grinding of bone on bone......

19 posted on 01/13/2010 12:47:42 PM PST by Cold Heat
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To: decimon

20 posted on 01/13/2010 1:06:31 PM PST by JoeProBono (A closed mouth gathers no feet)
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