Thymol’s Innovative Health and Medicine Applications: An Overview Based on Patent Analysis and Patent Review

Abstract

Thymol, also known as 2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol, is a secondary metabolite found in plants, particularly in the Lamiaceae family, like thyme, peppermint, sage, and lavender. As a terpene, it contributes to the aroma, flavor, and color of plants while also serving as a natural defense mechanism against pests, diseases, and environmental threats. Thymol exhibits bioactive properties, including antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory effects, making it valuable for treating various infections and diseases. Additionally, thymol is utilized in personal care products and functions as a preservative in foods and pharmaceuticals. The objective of this study is to give an overview based on patent analysis and a patent review of thymol’s innovative health and medicine applications. We analyze data from patent documents that highlight the thymol extraction process and its applications in the fields of health and medicine. Data were extracted from different specialized patent databases. After patent analysis, a selection of relevant patents for thymol has been made. Finally, to propose relevant health-related patent documents, sorting was realized using the International Patent Classification (IPC). The study focused on the medicinal purposes of thymol. Our results present a statistical study of 2,319 patent documents published between 1972 and 2023. Thus, IPC data show that 82% of the codes assigned to the documents studied concern preparations for medical, dental, or toilet preparations. The first part of the patent documents that have been presented illustrates thymol’s natural or synthetic origin, and the second part shows its therapeutic applications. Thymol’s bioactivities make it a useful natural candidate for pharmaceutical formulation as well as for cosmetic compositions. Document patents, as presented in this study, affirm thymol’s therapeutic potential, positioning it as a promising natural candidate for pharmaceutical formulations. This is particularly evident in its efficacy against resistant bacteria in anti-microbial therapeutic compositions, its role as an anti-tumoral and cell regenerator in cancer patients, and its integration into personal care products as well as skin care formulations.