Essential Oils of Oregano: Biological Activity Beyond Their Antimicrobial Properties

Overview

Journal Molecules

Publisher MDPI

Specialty Biology

Date 2017 Jun 15

PMID 28613267

Citations 118

Authors

Nayely Leyva-Lopez

Erick P Gutierrez-Grijalva

Gabriela Vazquez-Olivo

J Basilio Heredia

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Essential oils of oregano are widely recognized for their antimicrobial activity, as well as their antiviral and antifungal properties. Nevertheless, recent investigations have demonstrated that these compounds are also potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and cancer suppressor agents. These properties of oregano essential oils are of potential interest to the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The aim of this manuscript is to review the latest evidence regarding essential oils of oregano and their beneficial effects on health.

Citing Articles

Chemical Composition of Essential Oils and Their Potential Applications in Postharvest Storage of Cereal Grains.

Yu J Molecules. 2025; 30(3).

PMID: 39942787 PMC: 11820458. DOI: 10.3390/molecules30030683.

Binary Combinations of Essential Oils: Antibacterial Activity Against , and Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties.

Naccari C, Ginestra G, Micale N, Palma E, Galletta B, Costa R Molecules. 2025; 30(3).

PMID: 39942545 PMC: 11820965. DOI: 10.3390/molecules30030438.

Effect of Sheep's Whey Edible Coatings with a Bioprotective Culture, Kombucha Tea or Oregano Essential Oil on Cheese Characteristics.

Pereira C, Varytskaya H, Lydzinska O, Szkolnicka K, Gomes D, Pires A Foods. 2025; 13(24.

PMID: 39767074 PMC: 11675235. DOI: 10.3390/foods13244132.

The Effects of a Blend of Essential Oils in the Milk of Suckling Calves on Performance, Immune and Antioxidant Systems, and Intestinal Microbiota.

Nora L, Marcon C, Deolindo G, Signor M, Muniz A, Bajay M Animals (Basel). 2025; 14(24.

PMID: 39765459 PMC: 11672722. DOI: 10.3390/ani14243555.

Dietary Oregano Oil Supplementation Improved Egg Quality by Altering Cecal Microbiota Function in Laying Hens.

Xian L, Wang Y, Peng D, Zang L, Xu Y, Wu Y Animals (Basel). 2024; 14(22).

PMID: 39595288 PMC: 11591137. DOI: 10.3390/ani14223235.

References

Leyva-Lopez N, Nair V, Bang W, Cisneros-Zevallos L, Heredia J . Protective role of terpenes and polyphenols from three species of Oregano (Lippia graveolens, Lippia palmeri and Hedeoma patens) on the suppression of lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. J Ethnopharmacol. 2016; 187:302-12. DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.04.051. View

Fratini F, Mancini S, Turchi B, Friscia E, Pistelli L, Giusti G . A novel interpretation of the Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index: The case Origanum vulgare L. and Leptospermum scoparium J. R. et G. Forst essential oils against Staphylococcus aureus strains. Microbiol Res. 2016; 195:11-17. DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2016.11.005. View

Teixeira B, Marques A, Ramos C, Serrano C, Matos O, Neng N . Chemical composition and bioactivity of different oregano (Origanum vulgare) extracts and essential oil. J Sci Food Agric. 2013; 93(11):2707-14. DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.6089. View

Grondona E, Gatti G, Lopez A, Sanchez L, Rivero V, Pessah O . Bio-efficacy of the essential oil of oregano (Origanum vulgare Lamiaceae. Ssp. Hirtum). Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2014; 69(4):351-7. DOI: 10.1007/s11130-014-0441-x. View

Alinkina E, Misharina T, Fatkullina L . [Antiradical properties of oregano, thyme, and savory essential oils]. Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol. 2013; 49(1):82-7. DOI: 10.7868/s0555109913010029. View

Ocana-Fuentes A, Arranz-Gutierrez E, Senorans F, Reglero G . Supercritical fluid extraction of oregano (Origanum vulgare) essentials oils: anti-inflammatory properties based on cytokine response on THP-1 macrophages. Food Chem Toxicol. 2010; 48(6):1568-75. DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2010.03.026. View

Mancini E, Camele I, Elshafie H, De Martino L, Pellegrino C, Grulova D . Chemical composition and biological activity of the essential oil of Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum from different areas in the Southern Apennines (Italy). Chem Biodivers. 2014; 11(4):639-51. DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.201300326. View

Alves-Silva J, Zuzarte M, Marques C, Salgueiro L, Girao H . Protective Effects of Terpenes on the Cardiovascular System: Current Advances and Future Perspectives. Curr Med Chem. 2016; 23(40):4559-4600. DOI: 10.2174/0929867323666160907123559. View

Cho S, Choi Y, Park S, Park T . Carvacrol prevents diet-induced obesity by modulating gene expressions involved in adipogenesis and inflammation in mice fed with high-fat diet. J Nutr Biochem. 2011; 23(2):192-201. DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2010.11.016. View

10.

Hernandez H, Frankova A, Sykora T, Kloucek P, Kourimska L, Kucerova I . The effect of oregano essential oil on microbial load and sensory attributes of dried meat. J Sci Food Agric. 2016; 97(1):82-87. DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7685. View

11.

Al Hafi M, El Beyrouthy M, Ouaini N, Stien D, Rutledge D, Chaillou S . Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Origanum libanoticum, Origanum ehrenbergii, and Origanum syriacum Growing Wild in Lebanon. Chem Biodivers. 2016; 13(5):555-60. DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.201500178. View

12.

Stamenic M, Vulic J, Djilas S, Misic D, Tadic V, Petrovic S . Free-radical scavenging activity and antibacterial impact of Greek oregano isolates obtained by SFE. Food Chem. 2014; 165:307-15. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.05.091. View

13.

Gupta R, Patel A, Shah N, Chaudhary A, Jha U, Yadav U . Oxidative stress and antioxidants in disease and cancer: a review. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2014; 15(11):4405-9. DOI: 10.7314/apjcp.2014.15.11.4405. View

14.

Sarrazin S, Oliveira R, Barata L, Mourao R . Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Lippia grandis Schauer (Verbenaceae) from the western Amazon. Food Chem. 2014; 134(3):1474-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.03.058. View

15.

Misharina T, Burlakova E, Fatkullina L, Alinkina E, Vorobeva A, Medvedeva I . [Effect of oregano essential oil on the engraftment and development of Lewis carcinoma in F1 DBA C57 black hybrid mice]. Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol. 2014; 49(4):423-8. DOI: 10.7868/s0555109913040090. View

16.

Karaborklu S, Ayvaz A, Yilmaz S, Akbulut M . Chemical composition and fumigant toxicity of some essential oils against Ephestia kuehniella. J Econ Entomol. 2011; 104(4):1212-9. DOI: 10.1603/ec10284. View

17.

Edris A . Pharmaceutical and therapeutic potentials of essential oils and their individual volatile constituents: a review. Phytother Res. 2007; 21(4):308-23. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.2072. View

18.

Conforti F, Marrelli M, Menichini F, Tundis R, Statti G, Solimene U . Chemical composition and protective effect of oregano (Origanum heracleoticum L.) ethanolic extract on oxidative damage and on inhibition of NO in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem. 2011; 26(3):404-11. DOI: 10.3109/14756366.2010.519336. View

19.

Gonzalez J, Gutierrez M, Murray A, Ferrero A . Composition and biological activity of essential oils from Labiatae against Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) soybean pest. Pest Manag Sci. 2011; 67(8):948-55. DOI: 10.1002/ps.2138. View

20.

Mossa A, Refaie A, Ramadan A, Bouajila J . Antimutagenic effect of Origanum majorana L. essential oil against prallethrin-induced genotoxic damage in rat bone marrow cells. J Med Food. 2013; 16(12):1101-7. DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2013.0006. View