A comprehensive review on traditional applications, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of Thymus serpyllum

Abstract: Thymus serpyllum L. from the Lamiaceae family is an underexplored perennial medicinal shrub with traditional usage in treating respiratory and gastrointestinal issues in the upper foothills of India. This review aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of current knowledge concerning the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of T. serpyllum. The primary objective is to collect updated information on this plant and encourage further in vivo and in vitro research to validate local claims. Notably, the essential oil derived from T. serpyllum has gained significant attention as a plant-derived product due to its diverse pharmacological properties, including antioxidative, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. Ethnomedicinal research revealed a vast scope of T. serpyllum in developing new drugs to address numerous health sector challenges. While T. serpyllum has been used widely, pharmacological studies are not enough. Most studies are either in vivo or in vitro. More studies are required to assess these medicinal claims through well-planned pharmacological experiments. This review will provide the groundwork for future research. While T. serpyllum has been put to considerable conventional use, pharmacological studies are insufficient; most studies are either in vivo or in vitro. More compound isolation, comprehensive pharmacological analysis, and exploration of food applications are vital areas to investigate.