The inhibitory effects of Zataria multiflora essential oil on nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) production were examined in human monocytes cultured in the presence of 20mM glucose. Z. multiflora essential oil was extracted by water-distillation and then analyzed by GC-MS. Carvacrol (29.2%), thymol (25.4%), p-cymene (11.2%), linalool (9.6%) and γ-terpinene (8%) were the main components detected in the essential oil. Cells cultured in the presence of 20mM glucose showed an increase in NO and H(2)O(2) production as well as NO synthase (NOS) and NADH oxidase (NOX) activities compared to cells cultured in the presence of 5mM glucose. Pretreatment with Z. multiflora essential oil, carvacrol and thymol reduced NO and H(2)O(2) production as well as NOS and NOX activities in those cells cultured in the presence of 20mM glucose. However, p-cymene, linalool and γ-terpinene did not show any such activities. Accordingly, it was concluded that Z. multiflora can reduce oxidative stress and can be used in the therapy of oxidative damage accompanying hyperglycemia and some inflammatory conditions.
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