The effect of thyme plant on the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome

Introduction:Premenstrual syndrome is one of the most common problems of women of childbearing age and is characterized by periodic mood, physical and behavioral symptoms that usually begin in the last 7 days of the luteal phase and continue up to 4 days after the onset of menstrual bleeding. People's work or lifestyle interferes, and a symptom-free period follows. The cause of PMS is unknown. However, many researchers believe that it is related to changes in sex hormones and serotonin levels at the beginning of the menstrual cycle. Estrogen and progesterone levels increase on some days of the month. An increase in these hormones causes changes in mood, anxiety and irritability. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) has a wide range of signs and symptoms, including mood swings, breast tenderness, cravings, fatigue, and irritability and depression. Approximately 3 out of 4 menstruating women experience some symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Symptoms appear and recur in a predictable pattern. But the amount of physical and emotional changes associated with PMS varies from mild to severe. This syndrome causes social and economic dysfunction, incompatibility in relationships with sexual partners, problems in taking care of children, poor job or academic performance, and a general decrease in quality of life. Premenstrual symptoms are very common and 75% of women who have regular periods suffer from them. Despite the high prevalence of premenstrual syndrome and the importance of this disease, its exact cause and appropriate treatment have not been known so far, and various causes have been proposed, despite this, a number of drugs have been proven to be useful in women with premenstrual syndrome. According to the side effects of chemical drugs, their long-term use is not recommended, and their use is recommended only in severe cases or in cases where the patient does not respond to other treatments. Today, the use of complementary medicine and herbal medicines in the treatment of many chronic conditions such as premenstrual syndrome has gained many fans. Thyme is a member of the mint family, which is considered as an evergreen aromatic medicinal plant. Carvacrol and thymol are known as two important phenolic compounds in thyme. Carvacrol and thymol are antioxidants, anti-oxidative stress and are known to be strong anti-inflammatory, in addition to this, carvacrol inhibits platelet aggregation and is able to modulate signaling pathways involved in inflammation and cell proliferation. In addition to these studies, they have shown that thyme can also affect the prostaglandin system by reducing inflammation. Considering the role of prostaglandins in premenstrual syndrome and the fact that no study has been conducted on the effect of this herb on premenstrual symptoms. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of Thyme on the severity of premenstrual syndrome symptomsMethod:The current review by searching in reliable books and useful databases such as Scopus, Elsevier, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Mag Iran, Iran Dog, Iran Medex in the years 2012 to 2023 with keywords such as complementary medicine, plant Thyme, premenstrual syndrome, inflammatory factors and prostaglandins were performed.Findings:Carvacrol and thymol are known as two important phenolic compounds found in the Thyme plant. Researchers' studies show that carvacrol and thymol are small and lipophilic molecules that can easily cross the blood-brain barrier and exert their effects on different parts of the brain. Carvacrol and thymol have various biological and medicinal properties such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic and vasorelaxant. In addition, it has been determined that the consumption of carvacrol extract is involved in the production of pro-inflammatory factors such as nitric acid and prostaglandins through inhibiting the secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha and inhibiting the migration of neutrophils and mononuclear cells. Carvacrol and thymol are known as strong antioxidant, anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory substances. Also, one of the effects of carvacrol is reducing the level of nitric acid synthase enzyme and as a result reducing the production of nitric acid in macrophages, which moderates and relieves the aggravated pain. Also, thyme is an excellent source of fiber, calcium, iron, manganese, and vitamins B, A, and C, which probably have effects on premenstrual syndrome.Conclusion:We conclude that due to the phenolic compounds and vitamins present in Thyme, which can reduce the inflammatory conditions of the body and prostaglandins, and in this way, it can affect and reduce the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, especially pain.

The effect of thyme plant on the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome Keywords:

Complementary medicine , thyme , premenstrual syndrome