FIG. 8.

Schematic overview of the hypothesized activity of carvacrol. Undissociated carvacrol diffuses through the cytoplasmic membrane towards the cytoplasm and dissociates, thereby releasing its proton to the cytoplasm. It then returns undissociated by carrying a potassium ion (or other cation) from the cytoplasm, which is transported through the cytoplasmic membrane to the external environment. A proton is taken up, and carvacrol in the protonated form diffuses again through the cytoplasmic membrane and dissociates by releasing a proton to the cytoplasm.