Molecular mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory effects of thymus vulgaris L. in COVID-19 patients

Introduction: A worldwide pandemic infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of current deadly disease entitled COVID-19. Many attempts have been made to find a solution to treat the disease, but no definitive cure has been found, yet. Thymus vulgaris L. is a plant with a long history in traditional medicine that has antimicrobial, antiseptic, and antiviral properties. current study is about some molecular mechanisms of the potential effects of thymus vulgaris against COVID-19 side-effect.Description: SARS-CoV-2 leads to damage in the body organs by increasing oxidative stress, inflammation, and disturbance in RAS. Thymol and Carvacrol are two important biological components of thyme. Thymol exhibits several biological effects such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and free radical scavenging properties. Carvacrol also exhibits antioxidant activities, antimicrobial and anti-carcinogenic effects. On the other hand, interaction of the SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2, its possible receptor, leads to decrease of ACE2. Moreover, studies have illustrated that in COVID-19 patients, serum AngII level is higher than healthy people which can upregulate the expression of inflammatory cytokines through the activation of AT1R. NF-kB, which is down-regulated by thyme, plays a vital role in the regulation of several pro-inflammatory genes. Thyme could suppress TNF-α and IL-6 and other inflammatory cytokines. It also enhances the anti-inflammatory cytokines like TGF-β and IL-10. Thyme extract acts also as an inhibitor of cytokines IL-1-beta and IL-8, at both mRNA and protein levels.Discussion and conclusion: Finally, we can conclude that thyme has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties and reduces side effects in COVID-19 patients. Thymol and Carvacrol suppress the negative effects of the renin-angiotensin system in COVID-19 patients. Moreover, they decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines. Thus, Thyme, as an inhibitory agent of pro-inflammatory cytokines, can be considered in the therapeutic approach of the patients with COVID-19.