Therapeutic potential of Zataria multiflora: A narrative review of current evidence

Zataria multiflora Boiss is a perennial plant with a wide spectrum of biological and pharmacological activities including antidiabetic, anti-nociceptive, anti-asthmatic, anti-fever, anti-spastic, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. This paper reviews the therapeutic effects of Zataria multiflora based on recent reports. The relevant reports were extracted by checking the electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar from the beginning of 2010 until the end of May 2023. The neuroprotective effects of Zataria multiflora can be attributed to inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, enhancement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and alleviation of brain oxidative damage. Zataria multiflora also exerts its protective effects on the respiratory system, liver, and kidney by reducing the level of inflammatory cytokines, scavenging the free radicals, and augmenting the antioxidant enzymes. Additionally, Zataria multiflora accelerates wound healing via upregulating transforming growth factor-beta, insulin-like growth factor 1, fibroblast growth factor 2, and vascular endothelial growth factor, and inducing angiogenesis and collagen biosynthesis. Overall, the protective impacts of Zataria multiflora on different organs are mainly attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.