Effects of gamma irradiation on cytotoxicity and phenolic compounds of Thymus vulgaris L. and Mentha x piperita L.

•Aromatic herbs were submitted to gamma irradiation.•Caffeoyl derivatives and flavonoid glycosides were detected in thyme and peppermint, respectively.•Gamma irradiation did not change the phenolic composition.•10 KGy did not change the cytotoxic properties of peppermint on tumor cell lines.•Irradiation at 10 kGy increased the thyme cytotoxicity for tumor cell lines.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of gamma irradiation on cytotoxicity and phenolic compounds of Thymus vulgaris L. and Menta × piperita L. (methanolic extracts), used in traditional medicine. Thirteen and fourteen phenolic compounds, including caffeoyl derivatives and flavonoid glycosides, were detected in T. vulgaris and Mentha piperita, respectively, none of which was affected by the irradiation dose used (10 kGy). Furthermore, the irradiation up to 10 kGy did not change the cytotoxic properties of peppermint samples on tumor cell lines (MCF-7, NCI-H460, HeLa and HepG2), whereas thyme samples irradiated at 10 kGy increased their cytotoxicity in the assayed tumor cell lines compared with samples submitted to 2 and 5 kGy. All in all, the dose of 10 kGy was considered as suitable to be applied for the purpose of disinfestation and microbial decontamination of these plants without modifying their phenolic composition and bioactive properties.