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Publisher: Peytchinski Publishing Ltd.
ISSN: 1312-773X (Online)
Issue: 2026, vol. 32, issue1
Subject Area: Medicine
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DOI: 10.5272/jimab.2026321.6769
Published online: 27 March 2026
Review articlee
J of IMAB. 2026 Jan-Mar;32(1):6769-6775
THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF SOME COMMONLY USED LAMIACEAE HERBS FOR NEUROINFLAMMATION
Margarita Velikova1
, Anelia Gerasimova2, Dobrinka Doncheva1
, Natalina Panova3, Krastena Nikolova3,
1) Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria.
2) Department of Chemistry, Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria.
3) Department of Physics and Biophysics, Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria.
ABSTRACT:
Purpose. This review aims to present recent data from contemporary scientific literature on the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of selected herbs from the Lamiaceae family.
Material and methods. A literature search was conducted to obtain current information on the role of phenolic compounds from Lamiaceae species in neuroinflammation. The Lamiaceae family, widely represented across Europe by genera such as Salvia, Mentha, Melissa, Origanum, Ocimum, Thymus, and Satureja, is a rich source of bioactive phenolic compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and emerging neuroprotective potential.
Results. Species belonging to the Lamiaceae family, including rosemary, sage, mint, thyme, oregano, and others, are rich in phenolic compounds, particularly phenolic acids and flavonoids. These herbs demonstrate promising anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective properties, largely attributed to their phenolic content.
Conclusion. Phenolic compounds from Lamiaceae plants modulate key neuroinflammatory pathways by suppressing microglial activation, downregulating pro-inflammatory mediators, and activating antioxidant defences. Through these mechanisms, they mitigate oxidative stress and promote neuronal survival, thereby exerting protective effects in experimental models of neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative disorders. Thus, phenolic compounds from Lamiaceae species represent promising multifunctional agents for targeting neuroinflammation and potentially slowing the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
Keywords: neuroinflammation, Lamiaceae, phenolic compounds, phenolic acids, flavonoids, microglia,
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Please cite this article as: Velikova M, Gerasimova A, Doncheva D, Panova N, Nikolova K. The potential benefits of some commonly used Lamiaceae herbs for neuroinflammation. J of IMAB. 2026 Jan-Mar;32(1):6769-6775. [Crossref - 10.5272/jimab.2026321.6769]
Correspondence to: Dobrinka Doncheva, Medical University Prof. Dr Paraskev Stoyanov – Varna; 55, Marin Drinov Str., Varna, 9002, Bulgaria; E-mail: Dobrinka.Doncheva@mu-varna.bg
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Received: 07 September 2025
Published online: 27 March 2026