p-Cymene

p-Cymene is a monoterpene that is found in a variety of plants, including C. sativa, and has diverse biological activities, including antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and anxiolytic properties. p-Cymene inhibits the growth of S. typhimurium, E. coli, L. monocytogenes, S. epidermidis, and S. aureus with MIC values ranging from 0.266 to 0.608% v/v. It decreases the invasive activity of HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma cells in vitro by 87% when used at a concentration of 600 µM. In mouse hippocampus, p-Cymene (50 mg/kg, i.p.) reduces lipid peroxidation and nitrite content by 65.5 and 71.2%, respectively, and increases superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities by 22.7 and 119.3%, respectively, compared to vehicle control animals. Formulations containing p-cymene have been used as flavoring agents.