ASSESSMENT OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY AND HEAVY METAL ACCUMULATION IN THE MEDICINAL HERB THYMUS LINEARIS BENTH

Abstract

Thymus species rank among the most widely used aromatic and medicinal plants worldwide, largely due to their phenolic-rich essential oils, which exhibit diverse biological activities. Numerous studies have documented various pharmacological properties of this genus, including antiseptic, antitussive, expectorant, antispasmodic, anthelmintic, and anti-inflammatory effects. The present study investigates the extraction of bioactive compounds and comparatively analyzes heavy metal content in Thymus linearis Benth. extracts. Different solvents, including methanol, ethanol, n-hexane, and dichloromethane, were used for extraction. The antioxidant potential of the phenolic extracts was assessed via the DPPH radical scavenging assay. Heavy metals such as Ca, Ni, Co, Mg, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cd, and Cr were quantified using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). This study provides valuable insights into the medicinal potential of Thymus linearis Benth. while also highlighting potential toxicological risks linked to heavy metal accumulation.