Characterization and Evaluation of In-Vitro Hemostatic Properties of Turkish Origanum, Satureja, Thymbra and Thymus spp. Essential Oils

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the in-vitro haemostatic properties of Origanum, Satureja, Thymbra and Thymus spp. essential oils by prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) tests. 
Materials and Methods: Essential oils of Origanum dubium Boiss., Origanum majorana L., Origanum onites L., Origanum syriacum subsp. bevanii (Holmes) Greuter & Burdet., Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum (Link) Ietsw., Satureja thymbra L., Thymbra spicata L., Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav., Thymus longicaulis C.Presl and Thymus vulgaris L. were obtained by hydro distillation and analyzed for their chemical composition by gas chromatograph consisting of a mass spectrometer and a flame ionization detector (GC-MS/FID). Citrated human plasma were incubated with different concentration of essential oils. Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time tests were measured using citrated human plasma with a Diagnostica Stago Start coagulation analyzer.
Results: All tested essential oils exhibited varying degrees of inhibition on clotting factors, leading to prolonged prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time. Notably, essential oils containing carvacrol demonstrated a greater inhibition of coagulation, even at lower concentrations compared with species containing thymol, which showed comparatively less pronounced effects.
Conclusion: It has been established that these essential oils possess anticoagulant properties, inhibiting blood clotting. Consequently, it is important to consider that the topical application of these essential oils, or formulations containing these oils, to open and bleed wounds for their antiseptic benefits may exacerbate bleeding due to their anticoagulant effects.

Keywords

• Essential oil
• chemical composition
• anticoagulant
• hemostatic properties

References

1. Kizil S, Ipek A, Arslan N, Khawar KM. Some agronomical characteristics and essential oil content of oregano (Origanum onites L.) as influenced by planting densities. Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants. 2009;12(2):172-80. doi:10.1080/0972060X.2009.10643707.
2. Fırat M. Satureja avromanica Maroofi (Lamiaceae): an addition to flora of Turkey with contributions to its taxonomy. Issues in Biological Sciences and Pharmaceutical Research. 2015;3(12):123-8. doi:10.15739/ibspr.022.
3. Tümen G, Kirimer N, Ermin N, Baser KHC. The essential oils of two new Satureja species from Turkey: Satureja pilosa and S. icarica. J Essent Oil Res. 1998;10(5):524-6. doi:10.1080/10412905.1998.9700959.
4. Baser KHC, Özek T, Tümen G, Sezik E. Composition of the essential oils of Turkish Origanum species with commercial importance. J Essent Oil Res. 1993;5(6):619-23. doi:10.1080/10412905.1993.9698294.
5. Raina AP, Negi KS. Essential oil composition of Origanum majorana and Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum growing in India. Chem Nat Compd. 2012;47(6):1015-7. doi:10.1007/s10600-012-0133-4.
6. Turgut K, Özyigit Y, Tütüncü B, Sözmen EU. Agronomic and chemical performance of selected Origanum dubium Boiss. clones for industrial use. Turk J Agric For. 2017;41(4):272-7. doi:10.3906/tar-1612-75.
7. Kaplan B, Sözmen EU, Turgut K. Chemical diversity of essential oils within the population of Origanum dubium Boiss. Nat Volatiles Essent Oils. 2019;6(4):6-12. izlik:JA85DT26RB.
8. Türkmen M, Kara M, Maral H, Soylu S. Determination of chemical component of essential oil of Origanum dubium plants grown at different altitudes and antifungal activity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. J Food Process Preserv. 2012;46:e15787. doi:10.1111/jfpp.15787.

9. Figuérédo G, Cabassu P, Chalchat JC, Pasquier B. Studies of Mediterranean oregano populations. VII: chemical composition of essential oils of carvacrol-rich oregano of various origins. J Essent Oil Res. 2006;18(3):244-9. doi:10.1080/10412905.2006.9699077.
10. Baydar H, Sağdiç O, Özkan G, Karadoğan T. Antibacterial activity and composition of essential oils from Origanum, Thymbra and Satureja species with commercial importance in Turkey. Food Control. 2004;15(3):169-72. doi:10.1016/S0956-7135(03)00028-8.
11. Demirbolat İ, Kartal M. Zahter uçucu yağı. Türk Farmakopesi Dergisi. 2021;6(1):13-5.
12. Gagliano Candela R, Maggi F, Lazzara G, Rosselli S, Bruno M. The essential oil of Thymbra capitata and its application as a biocide on stone and derived surfaces. Plants (Basel). 2019;8(9):300. doi:10.3390/plants8090300.
13. Ozcan M, Chalchat JC. Aroma profile of Thymus vulgaris L. growing wild in Turkey. Bulg J Plant Physiol. 2004;30(3-4):68-73.
14. Baser KHC, Özek T, Kürkçüoglu M, Tümen G. Composition of the essential oil of Thymus longicaulis C. Presl var. subisophyllus (Borbas) Jalas from Turkey. J Essent Oil Res. 1992;4(3):311-2. doi:10.1080/10412905.1992.9698070.
15. Bloom AL. Physiology of blood coagulation. Haemostasis. 1991;20(Suppl 1):14-29. doi:10.1159/000216159.
16. Demirbolat İ, Karık Ü, İşcan İ. Effect of cultivation and geographical location on chemical composition and enantiomeric distribution in linalool-rich Origanum dubium Boiss. essential oils obtained at different growth stages. J Essent Oil Res. 2025;37(1):88-94. doi:10.1080/10412905.2024.2404085.
17. Omar G, Abdallah L, Barakat A, Othman R, Bourinee H. In vitro haemostatic efficacy of aqueous, methanol and ethanol plant extracts of three medicinal plant species in Palestine. Braz J Biol. 201980(4):763-68. doi:10.1590/1519-6984.219186.
18. Mashkani ZS, Vatandoost J, Hajjar T, Mahdavi B. In vivo coagulation effects of Thymus vulgaris leaves extract in mice. Avicenna J Pharm Res. 2023;3(2):74-81.
19. Ghorani V, Alavinezhad A, Rajabi O, Mohammadpour AH, Boskabady MH. Safety and tolerability of carvacrol in healthy subjects: a phase I clinical study. Drug Chem Toxicol. 2021;44(2):177-89. doi:10.1080/01480545.2018.1538233.