What is Oregano?

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is a flowering plant native to Europe, commonly used in cooking as fresh or dried leaves. It is also available as an oil extract and marketed as a dietary supplement. In 2022, O. vulgare ranked as the 12th top-selling herbal supplement in the natural channel. Oregano supplements are consumed for a variety of proposed health benefits, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. These products contain several types of compounds, such as phenols, terpenes, and terpenoids.

What is the focus of our research?

Recent in vitro studies have shown that O. vulgare extract can activate receptors that regulate drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters, including CYP3A4, CYP1A2, and P-glycoprotein. The level of activation observed was similar to that of St. John’s wort, a known inducer of drug metabolism. Follow-up studies in human liver cells confirmed that O. vulgare can induce enzyme activity to a similar extent.

Our research aims to evaluate whether a well-characterized oregano supplement can alter the pharmacokinetics of a validated combination of oral drugs that are metabolized by multiple CYP enzymes. We also plan to characterize how oregano itself is processed in the human body, as this has not yet been rigorously studied. These findings will help inform healthcare providers and consumers about the potential for drug interactions with oregano supplements.