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2000
Volume 22, Issue 2
  • ISSN: 1573-3947
  • E-ISSN: 1875-6301

Abstract

Thymol is the most common dietary constituent and is mainly found in thyme species. It contains 2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol with colorless crystalline in nature. Nowadays, it is used in traditional medicine. It has been observed that thymol has several pharmacological properties as well as multiple therapeutic activities that include antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antispasmodic, and others. The object of this review article is to summarize the anticancer effect of thymol and thymol nanoparticles in different types of cancer as well as different molecular level mechanism pathways for inhibition of cancer. In breast cancer, thymol stops the G0/G1 phase in the cell cycle in the MCF-7 cell line as well as decreases the synthesis of matrix metallopeptidase-2 (MMP2) and matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP9), extracellular kinases related to signal (ERK1/2) phosphorylation, and protein kinase Cα (PKCα) in G6 glioma cells. Different types of nanoparticle formulations loaded with thymol have developed in recent research due to their potential therapeutic activity, pharmacological action as well as a significant mechanism of action as nature-originated potential candidates. This review focuses on current research, both and , the significant therapeutic activity of thymol, and the challenges concerning its use for prevention.

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2026-03-11

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/content/journals/cctr/10.2174/0115733947350094250210060714
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Nanotechnology as a Tool to Improve the Anticancer Activity of Thymol: A Brief Review
Curr Cancer Ther Rev 22, 117 (2026); https://doi.org/10.2174/0115733947350094250210060714
/content/journals/cctr/10.2174/0115733947350094250210060714
/content/journals/cctr/10.2174/0115733947350094250210060714
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  • Article Type:     Review Article
Keyword(s): anti-inflammatory; antibacterial; anticancer; antispasmodic; Dietary; thymol; thymol loaded nanoparticles

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