Clinical Trial Details
— Status: Completed
Administrative data
| NCT number |
NCT05987228 |
| Other study ID # |
22/6/2022/2023 |
| Secondary ID |
|
| Status |
Completed |
| Phase |
N/A
|
| First received |
|
| Last updated |
|
| Start date |
August 1, 2022 |
| Est. completion date |
December 1, 2022 |
Study information
| Verified date |
August 2023 |
| Source |
The Hashemite University |
| Contact |
n/a |
| Is FDA regulated |
No |
| Health authority |
|
| Study type |
Interventional
|
Clinical Trial Summary
Thymus vulgaris could potentially serve as a safer alternative to stimulant drugs for
enhancing memory among university students. Furthermore, Thymus vulgaris may offer additional
benefits in terms of reducing anxiety, depression, and improving sleep quality. However, it
should be noted that the current research on the effects of orally administered Thymus
vulgaris on the brain and nervous system is limited, and further studies are required to
fully explore its potential advantages. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to
investigate the effects of oral Thymus vulgaris on memory performance, anxiety, depression,
and sleep quality in university students.
Description:
Thymus vulgaris belongs to the Lamiaceae family and is a flowering plant. It can be found
worldwide, although its origin is in southern Europe [1]. This plant is characterized by its
compact, bushy nature and evergreen shrub structure. Its leaves are small, gray-green, highly
aromatic, and it produces clusters of purple or pink flowers [2]. Thymus vulgaris is commonly
used as a spice to enhance the flavor of food. It is also utilized in the form of dietary
supplements; such as capsules or essential oils [3]. Throughout history, Thymus vulgaris has
been employed in folk medicine due to its remarkable antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory
properties [4]. In Jordanian traditional medicine, it is frequently utilized as an
antiseptic, bronchial, sedative, and spasmolytic agent, as well as to improve cognitive
function and memory [5-8]. Numerous studies have reported various health benefits associated
with Thymus vulgaris leaves, including antioxidant [9], diuretic [10], anti-inflammatory
[11], antiviral [12], anti-cancerous [13], cholesterol-lowering [14], glucose-lowering [15],
anticonvulsant [16], anti-anxiety [17] and sedative-hypnotic activities [18].
The primary constituents of Thymus vulgaris, notably thymol, p-cymene, γ-terpinene, linalool,
and carvacrol, possess various neuropharmacological properties, including anti-anxiety,
sedative, anticonvulsant, memory-enhancing, and anti-Alzheimer's disease effects [19].
Asadbegi et al. conducted a study demonstrating that thymol exhibited neuroprotective
properties by reducing memory impairment caused by intrahippocampal injection of the amyloid
beta (Aβ) peptide in rats fed a high-fat diet [20]. Furthermore, Capibaride et al. confirmed
the significant antidepressant-like effect of thymol by observing its ability to reverse
behaviors associated with chronic corticosterone exposure and decrease in BDNF levels in
female mice [21]. Azizi et al. demonstrated that carvacrol and thymol exerted neuroprotective
effects against Aβ25-35-induced damage, potentially through the attenuation of oxidative
stress and the modulation of PKC activity, a protein associated with memory function [22].
Additionally, within the monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, β-myrcene and caryophyllene have
been identified as major compounds. β-myrcene is known for its analgesic, anxiolytic, and
anti-inflammatory effects [23].
Multiple studies have highlighted the positive impact of Thymus vulgaris on memory, anxiety,
and depression. Akan et al. conducted research on rats using the Morris water maze and found
that Thymus vulgaris L. exhibited beneficial effects against diabetes mellitus-induced
neuropathy and cognitive impairment [24]. They attributed these effects to specific
components like thymol, carvacrol, 8-terpinene, p-cymene, and α-pinene present in high
amounts in the essential oil composition. Similarly, Rabiei et al. suggested that Thymus
vulgaris extract demonstrated anti-amnesic properties in rats with Sco-induced memory
deficits, as assessed by the Morris water maze and passive avoidance tests [25]. The authors
proposed that this effect could be linked to the extract's antioxidant activity or its
influence on the cholinergic system, with carvacrol and thymol playing significant roles
based on their chemical composition. Additionally, an ethanol extract derived from Thymus
vulgaris leaves displayed an anxiolytic profile in rats during the EPM test, unaffected by
locomotor activity [17]. Finally, in the context of Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative
disorder involving cholinergic neuron loss, administration of thyme oil to Caenorhabditis
elegans enhanced neurotransmission by regulating synaptic acetylcholine levels [26].
The high prevalence of anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders among university students can
significantly affect their memory function [27]. Consequently, an increasing number of
university students have turned to using stimulant drugs to improve their memory performance
and attention, despite the fact that such usage is unauthorized and not intended for
therapeutic purposes [28]. However, the use of these drugs is associated with various side
effects[29,30]. This has led neuroscience researchers to show a growing interest in
identifying cognitive-enhancing drugs that can be safely used by healthy individuals without
any detrimental effects.
Based on the provided information, it is hypothesized that Thymus vulgaris could potentially
serve as a safer alternative to stimulant drugs for enhancing memory among university
students. Furthermore, Thymus vulgaris may offer additional benefits in terms of reducing
anxiety, depression, and improving sleep quality. However, it should be noted that the
current research on the effects of orally administered Thymus vulgaris on the brain and
nervous system is limited, and further studies are required to fully explore its potential
advantages. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of oral Thymus
vulgaris on memory performance, anxiety, depression, and sleep quality in university
students.
