A review on Moroccan thyme species: ethnopharmacological, phytochemical, and biological aspects

Morocco is characterized by a great richness and biodiversity in Thymus plants. This genus is represented in this country by 22 thyme species and subspecies, 13 of which are endemic. The present review aims to study the ethnopharmacological, phytochemical, and biological aspects of these thyme species. To carry out this study, the research studies on Moroccan Thymus plants were reviewed in the scientific literature. We found that the species of this genus have widespread uses and applications in Moroccan folk medicine. These plants possess potent pharmacological and biological properties. Moreover, the extracts and volatile oils of thyme plants are rich in a wide variety of phenolic and terpene compounds. These bioactive compounds exert countless biological and pharmacological properties. The present review concludes that there is an important biodiversity in thyme species in Morocco. These species are endowed with several biological properties and ethnopharmacological uses. However, several species of this genus are still not exploited and need more botanical, phytochemical, and pharmacological investigations.