Effects of oralcavity and throat stimulation on changes in human body temperature after ingestion of winter savory (Satureja Montana L.) extract

Abstract

We have reported that ingestion of a capsule of winter savory extract affected core body temperature (CBT) and body surface temperatures (BSTs), and alleviated cold sensitivity in humans. However, a drink of winter savory extract has an unsuitable flavor caused by carvacrol (CAR) and thymol (THY) (inducing heat-production and heattransfer, respectively). Therefore, we aimed to determine whether a drink containing reduced amounts of CAR and THY (DK1), to improve the flavor, would affect body temperature after ingestion. DK1 affected BSTs of the wrist, finger, ankle, toe and neck. Next, we examined a capsule and a drink of winter savory extract (CP and DK2, respectively; amounts of CAR and THY in CP and DK2 are equal to those in DK1; concentrations of CAR and THY in DK2 are five times higher than those in DK1). CP only influenced BSTs of the wrist and finger, whereas DK2 affected both BSTs (the wrist, finger, ankle, toe, forehead and neck) and CBT. These results suggest that despite reduced amounts of CAR and THY, the effect of winter savory extract on body temperature was observed, and that it might be enhanced by stimulation of the oral cavity and throat after drink intake.