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Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of the leaf essential oil of Laurus nobilis L
Phytotherapy Research
Abstract
The leaf essential oil of Laurus nobilis Linn. (Lauraceae) has been evaluated for antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities in mice and rats. The essential oil exhibited: (1) a significant analgesic effect in tail-flick and formalin tests; (2) a dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect in the formalin-induced edema and (3) a moderate sedative effect at the anti-inflammatory doses. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of the essential oil was comparable to reference analgesics and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs: morphine and piroxicam. Present results make the essential oil worthy of further investigations.
... The study of medicinal plants is becoming increasingly important, either from the popular knowledge (Barraza et al., 2014) and from the point of view of knowledge of the pharmacological properties of plants (de Almeida et al., 2003;Kumar, 2006;Wiart, 2007;Giogetti et al., 2011). Regarding Laurus nobilis, many studies have been conducted on other biological activities, among others, antioxidant protection (Kaurinovic et al., 2010;Ozcan et al., 2010;Al-Hashimi & Mahmood, 2016;Akcan et al., 2017;Alejo-Armijo et al., 2017); insecticidal effect (Chahal et al., 2016;Jemaa et al., 2011;Salehi et al., 2014); antimicrobial effect (Fratianni et al., 2007;Ozcan et al., 2010;Fukuyama et al., 2011;El et al., 2014;Videla et al., 2016;Aliberti et al., 2016;Fidan et al., 2019); antibacterial effects (Moghtader & Farahmand, 2013;Ouibrahim et al., 2013;Chahal et al., 2017;Mansour et al., 2018); antifungal effects (Marrufo et al., 2013;Rosello et al., 2015;Chahal et al., 2017); acaricidal effect (Macchioni et al., 2006); analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity (Sayyah et al., 2003;Esra et al., 2007;Kaileh et al., 2007;Alejo-Armijo et al., 2017;Maajida et al., 2019). ...
... We use the essential oil of Laurus nobilis L (Sayyah et al., 2003) extracted by hydrodistillation and tested with the C reflex and spinal wind-up. The essential oil was prepared with Tween 80 at 5% v/v applied in Boletín Latinoamericano y del Caribe de Plantas Medicinales y Aromáticas/423 rats intraperitoneally at time zero. ...
... It can be seen that the application of 0.012 mg/Kg of essential oil at time zero, produces a lowering in the wind-up by 85% at time 30 minutes, compared to the control. It is also interesting to note that there was an effect of naloxone (0.08 mg/Kg, i.p.) (Sayyah et al., 2003;You et al., 2003), which tends to reverse the analgesic effects of the essential oil in the wind-up. This would indicate a possible effect of opioid receptor level, the result described by the first time. ...
... Bay leaves are widely used in folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal, rheumatism, and urinary problems (Yilmaz and Ciftci 2021b). Bay leaves have antioxidant, antifungal, antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, antihypertensive, antiseptic, analgesic, diaphoretic, curing diabetes, and relieving stomach disorders properties (Afifi et al. 1997;Sayyah et al. 2002Sayyah et al. , 2003Nayak et al. 2006;Ramos et al. 2012;Yilmaz et al. 2013;Bayar et al. 2018;Sırıken et al. 2018;Mssillou et al. 2020;Stefanova et al. 2020;Guedouari and Nabiev 2021;Mohammed et al. 2021;Bouadid et al. 2023;Khalil et al. 2024). Information about the health benefits of the bay compiled from various studies, is given in Table 1.1. ...
... Figure 1.4 confirms and supports the limited uses of the plants. However, the other reports also utter that the bay plant is suitable for fatigue, indigestion, insomnia, menstrual irregularities, and rheumatic diseases (Baytop 1984;Acartürk 1997;Duke 1997;Özhatay et al. 1997;Sayyah et al. 2002;Sayyah et al. 2003;Simic et al. 2003;Rodilla et al. 2008). It is also used as a natural dye in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food industries for its anthocyanin content in fruit (Ramadan et al. 2019). ...
Bay (Laurus nobilis L.), one of the most well-known and effective fragrant and medicinal plants in Turkey, has a wide range of applications, including tincture, tea and medicine, aromatherapy, and the pharmaceutical industry because of its distinctive components. It is mainly widespread in Turkey, but also in countries such as Greece, Algeria, Morocco, France, Belgium, Mexico, Spain, Portugal, Libya, Romania, Albania, Syria, Crimea and the Canary Islands. Being collected from the wild and not cultivated, a standard variety of the plant has not been developed and introduced hitherto. Bay leaves are used as a fragrant flavoring and spice in foods such as fish, meat, stew, soups, casseroles, puddings, and in vinegar and some other beverages. The plant has not been handled for classical breeding studies. Instead, the plant has been widely monitored for its chemical content and composition and assayed for its biological activities, especially antioxidants and antimicrobials. However, it is very important to reveal the existing wealth of laurel genetic resources through studies and to use them with a focus on developing new varieties. In this regard, there are some genetic diversity and molecular characterization studies conducted on laurel genotypes. Concerning its potential market, Turkey meets approximately 90% of the world’s bay market. For this reason, the plant deserves to be investigated and evaluated more in Turkey. Herewith in the chapter, we addressed the plant’s economic and medicinal values as well as phenomics and genomics in detail. This information will benefit scientists concerned about the plant’s breeding and future.
... They have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The EO of the leaves is also used in the treatment of rheumatism and skin rashes, as a wound healing agent and in the cosmetics industry [9][10][11][12]. Two sesquiterpene lactones contained in bay laurel (dehydrocostus lactone and costunolide) have shown potential anti-cancer effects in various types of cancer: liver cancer [13], ovarian cancer [14], breast cancer [15], bladder cancer [16], prostate cancer [17] and leukemia [18]. ...
... PCA analyses of volatile compounds in bay laurel essential oil obtained via the hydrodistillation of twelve leaf samples(1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). The PCA score plot assigning different months to the three clusters (a). ...
The composition of an essential oil (EO) depends on both the plant’s genetic constitution and environmental factors. In this study, the leaves of female bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L., family Lauraceae) plants were collected each month in the period from 15 January to 15 December 2022. Twelve obtained leaf samples were hydrodistilled in a Clevenger apparatus and analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 44 compounds were detected in EO and 39 compounds were identified based on MS spectra and RIs (retention indices), accounting for 99.44–99.94% of the oil. The EO consisted almost entirely of monoterpenes (95.56–99.28%) and small quantities of phenylpropanoids, sesquiterpenes and other compounds. The major volatile compound was 1,8-cineole (49.79–64.94%), followed by α-terpinyl acetate (7.14–11.96%), sabinene (3.16–9.01%), linalool (1.77–8.03%), α-pinene (1.46–4.49%), β-pinene (1.55–3.69%) and α-terpineol (0.99–4.77%). The ANOVA indicated statistically significant changes in the composition of the EO over one year. The contents of eugenol, methyl eugenol and elemicin, which are responsible for the spicy aroma of the leaves, were highest during flowering (March) and at the time of fruit ripening (October, November). The harvest time of the leaves can be adjusted to obtain leaves rich in the desired compounds according to whether they are to be used as a spice, medicine or repellent.
... Laurel is traditionally used for rheumatism, cough, cardiac diseases, sprains, viral infections, diarrhea, gastrointestinal problems, and antiseptic (Alejo-Armijo et al., 2017;Caputo et al., 2017;Fidan et al., 2019;Fang et al., 2005). Whereas, scientific investigations of laurel have led to the discovery of its many pharmacological usages which includes, antioxidant (Dias et al., 2014;Ereifej et al., 2016), anticonvulsant (Sayyah et al., 2002), analgesic (Sayyah et al., 2003), anti-inflammatory (Sayyah et al., 2003), antimutagenic (Samejima et al., 1998), immunostimulant (Bilen and Bulut, 2010), antiviral (Bilen and Bulut, 2010), antibacterial (Fidan et al., 2019;Fukuyama et al., 2011;Ino et al., 2013;Nabila et al., 2022;Yang and Ino, 2013), antifungal (Patrakar et al., 2012), and etc. Apart from its medicinal usage, laurel is also commonly used in the fragrance industry (Alejo-Armijo et al., 2017) and its preservative properties imparted by antioxidant and antibacterial activities have also led to the wide usage of laurel as an additive for food preservation (El et al., 2014). ...
... Laurel is traditionally used for rheumatism, cough, cardiac diseases, sprains, viral infections, diarrhea, gastrointestinal problems, and antiseptic (Alejo-Armijo et al., 2017;Caputo et al., 2017;Fidan et al., 2019;Fang et al., 2005). Whereas, scientific investigations of laurel have led to the discovery of its many pharmacological usages which includes, antioxidant (Dias et al., 2014;Ereifej et al., 2016), anticonvulsant (Sayyah et al., 2002), analgesic (Sayyah et al., 2003), anti-inflammatory (Sayyah et al., 2003), antimutagenic (Samejima et al., 1998), immunostimulant (Bilen and Bulut, 2010), antiviral (Bilen and Bulut, 2010), antibacterial (Fidan et al., 2019;Fukuyama et al., 2011;Ino et al., 2013;Nabila et al., 2022;Yang and Ino, 2013), antifungal (Patrakar et al., 2012), and etc. Apart from its medicinal usage, laurel is also commonly used in the fragrance industry (Alejo-Armijo et al., 2017) and its preservative properties imparted by antioxidant and antibacterial activities have also led to the wide usage of laurel as an additive for food preservation (El et al., 2014). ...
The erroneous assumption that herbal products is generally safe for consumption, is a major factor leading to the increased of herb-induced liver injury (HILI). Even though Laurus nobilis or laurel is a commonly used spice, the safety aspect for its consumption is under-studied. To bridge this gap of knowledge, the mutagenicity, acute toxicity, and subacute toxicity of LAURESH®, which is a standardized laurel leaf extract were evaluated. Mutagenicity study using two S. typhimurium strains, TA100 and TA98 indicated that LAURESH® does not cause base substitution and frameshift mutation, thus suggesting that LAURESH® is non-mutagenic. While acute oral toxicity on mice established the LD50 at no less than 2,000 mg/kg of body weight, and a 28-day subacute toxicity test on rat revealed the NOAEL to be 1,000 mg/kg/day. Furthermore, blood chemistry, urinalysis, necropsy, and histopathological data from subacute toxicity study on rats does not show adverse event that could be attributed to LAURESH®, thus indicating that LAURESH® is unlikely to cause HILI. Taken together, the findings from this study and previous clinical study on LAURESH®, in combination with the historic use of laurel and previous toxicity studies conducted on laurel leaves extract, strongly suggest that LAURESH® is safe for human consumption.
... Ref. [20,21] was used in this study. Two day old cockerels were used; they were randomly divided into five groups of ten animals each. ...
... Seizures were manifested as hind limb tonic extension (HLTE) in the chicks [22]. The ability of the extract to prevent this feature or shorten the recovery from HLTE was considered an indication of anticonvulsant activity [21,22]. ...
... The essential oil of L. nobilis has also been evaluated for its antinociceptive and antiinflammatory activities in mice and rats. The essential oil exhibited a significant analgesic effect in tail-flick and formalin tests, a dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect in formalininduced edema, and a moderate sedative effect at the antiinflammatory doses (Sayyah et al., 2003). ...
... The closest to an applicable study is an in vitro study examining SARS-CoV and the effect of several essential oils (Chen et al., 1995). The essential oil of L. nobilis leaves was also evaluated for its antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities in mice and rats (Sayyah et al., 2003). However, the lack of clinical evidence led to concerns about the use of this species. ...
Method: The plant selection is primarily based on species 32 listed by the WHO and EMA, but some other herbal remedies are considered due to their widespread use in respiratory conditions. Preclinical and clinical data on their efficacy and safety were collected from authoritative sources. Target
population: adults with early flu symptoms without underlying conditions. These were evaluated according to a modified PrOACT-URL method with paracetamol, ibuprofen, and codeine as reference drugs. The benefits/risks balance of the treatments was classified as positive, promising, negative, and unknown.
Results: A total of 39 herbal medicines were identified as very likely to appeal to the COVID-19 patient. According to our method, the benefits/risks assessment of the herbal medicines was found positive in 5 cases (Althaea officinalis, Commiphora molmol, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hedera helix and Sambucus nigra), promising in 10 cases (Allium sativum, Andrographis paniculata, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea, Eucalyptus globulus essential oil, Justicia pectoralis, Magnolia officinalis, Pelargonium sidoides, Salix sp, Zingiber officinale), and unknown for the rest. On the same grounds, only ibuprofen resulted promising, but we could not find compelling evidence to endorse the use of paracetamol and/or codeine.
Conclusions: Our work suggests that several herbal medicines have safety margins superior to
those of reference drugs and enough levels of evidence to start a clinical discussion about their opportunity as adjuvants in the treatment of early/mild common flu in otherwise healthy adults within the context of COVID-19. While these herbal medicines will not cure or prevent the flu, they may both improve general patient well-being and offer them an opportunity to personalize the therapeutic approaches
... The essential oil of L. nobilis has also been evaluated for its antinociceptive and antiinflammatory activities in mice and rats. The essential oil exhibited a significant analgesic effect in tail-flick and formalin tests, a dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect in formalininduced edema, and a moderate sedative effect at the antiinflammatory doses (Sayyah et al., 2003). ...
... The closest to an applicable study is an in vitro study examining SARS-CoV and the effect of several essential oils (Chen et al., 1995). The essential oil of L. nobilis leaves was also evaluated for its antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities in mice and rats (Sayyah et al., 2003). However, the lack of clinical evidence led to concerns about the use of this species. ...
Background
Current recommendations for the self-management of SARS-Cov-2 disease (COVID-19) include self-isolation, rest, hydration, and the use of NSAID in case of high fever only. It is expected that many patients will add other symptomatic/adjuvant treatments, such as herbal medicines.
Aims
To provide a benefits/risks assessment of selected herbal medicines traditionally indicated for “respiratory diseases” within the current frame of the COVID-19 pandemic as an adjuvant treatment.
Method
The plant selection was primarily based on species listed by the WHO and EMA, but some other herbal remedies were considered due to their widespread use in respiratory conditions. Preclinical and clinical data on their efficacy and safety were collected from authoritative sources. The target population were adults with early and mild flu symptoms without underlying conditions. These were evaluated according to a modified PrOACT-URL method with paracetamol, ibuprofen, and codeine as reference drugs. The benefits/risks balance of the treatments was classified as positive, promising, negative, and unknown.
Results
A total of 39 herbal medicines were identified as very likely to appeal to the COVID-19 patient. According to our method, the benefits/risks assessment of the herbal medicines was found to be positive in 5 cases (Althaea officinalis, Commiphora molmol, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hedera helix, and Sambucus nigra), promising in 12 cases (Allium sativum, Andrographis paniculata, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea, Eucalyptus globulus essential oil, Justicia pectoralis, Magnolia officinalis, Mikania glomerata, Pelargonium sidoides, Pimpinella anisum, Salix sp, Zingiber officinale), and unknown for the rest. On the same grounds, only ibuprofen resulted promising, but we could not find compelling evidence to endorse the use of paracetamol and/or codeine.
Conclusions
Our work suggests that several herbal medicines have safety margins superior to those of reference drugs and enough levels of evidence to start a clinical discussion about their potential use as adjuvants in the treatment of early/mild common flu in otherwise healthy adults within the context of COVID-19. While these herbal medicines will not cure or prevent the flu, they may both improve general patient well-being and offer them an opportunity to personalize the therapeutic approaches.
... Its bioactive compounds, including essential oils, triterpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins [15,16] give them a wide range of pharmacological benefits. Laura nobilis leaf extracts have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory [17,18], analgesic [19], antioxidant [20,21], antimicrobial [22,23], antifungal [23], gastroprotective [24,25], hypoglycemic [26,27], hypolipidemic [28,29], immunomodulatory [30,31], neuroprotective [32,33] and anticancer [34,35] potentials. ...
Background: Laurus nobilis, commonly known as bay leaf, is widely used in global cuisine for flavouring soups and stews, as well as in baked foods and desserts. The present study aims to characterize the phytochemical composition of chloroform and methanol extracts of Laurus nobilis using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. Materials and Methods: Dried Bay leaves were locally sourced, properly identified, and authenticated. The leaves were extracted using cold maceration to obtain chloroform (CELN) and methanol (MELN) extracts of Laurus nobilis . Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening, along with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, was performed following standard protocols. Results: The qualitative analysis of CELN and MELN confirmed the presence of flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, glycosides, steroids, saponins, alkaloids, and carbohydrates. Quantitative analysis indicated that MELN contained higher levels of phenols (11.34 mg/100g), tannins (5.20 mg/100g), and carbohydrates (16.23 mg/100g). GC-MS analysis identified 87 and 98 compounds in CELN and MELN, respectively, with 10 compounds common to both extracts. The most abundant (≥5%) compounds in MELN were Spiro(1,3,3-trimethylindoline)-2,5’-pyrrolidin-2-one (8.35%), 7,10,13-Hexadecatrienoic acid, methyl ester (12.75%), Azuleno(4,5-b)furan-2(3H)-one, 3a,4,6a,7,8,9,9a,9b-octahydro-6-methyl-3,9-bis(methylene) (9.09%), and n-Hexadecenoic acid (18.25%). For CELN, the most abundant compounds were Buta-1,3-diyne,1,4-bis(2-methoxycarbonylcyclopropyl) (5.11%), Azuleno[6,5-b]furan-2,5-dione, decahydro-4a,8-dimethyl-3-methylene-,3aR-(3aα,4a,7aα,8β,9aα) (5.75%), n-Hexadecanoic acid (5.89%), phytol (7.57%), and Benzene, 1-phenyl-4-(2,2-dicyanoethenyl) (13.91%). Conclusion: This study highlights the rich phytochemical and bioactive profile of Laurus nobilis (bay leaf) extracts, reinforcing their potential in disease management. It also underscores the need for comprehensive pharmacological investigations of its bioactive compounds to support drug discovery efforts.
... It has been shown that essential oils rich in α-pinene, β-pinene, phellandrene, αsabinene have anti-inflammatory activity [73,74,75]. Ghlissi et al., [76], found that the anti-inflammatory effect could be due to the presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in the extracts. ...
This present study aimed to elucidate the chemical composition of essential oil (EO) which was obtained from the leaves of Artemisia campestris (Asteraceae) collected in Djelfa region (Algeria). The in-vitro antibacterial activity against six (06) bacterial strains were evaluated, the EO was used alone and associated with antibiotics to assess their synergistic effect. The in-vivo acute toxicity and anti-inflammatory activity were evaluated. In this work thirty-three (33) compounds accounting for 100% of total oil were identified by GC and GC/MS analysis of the essential of A. campestris. Camphor (41.95%), Chrysanthenone (13.95%), and 1,8-Cineole (13.31%) are found to be the major compounds. From the results of the antibacterial activity using disc diffusion method revealed inhibition zones ranging from 18.33 ±0.57 to 24.33± 0.57mm. Gram-negative was more sensitive to EO compared to Gram-positive bacteria. The combined application of EO of the studied specie with standard antibiotics led to a synergistic effect in some bacteria. At the highest tested dose (5000 mg/kg p.o.) the EO of A. campestris did not show signs of acute toxicity. EO of A. campestris reduced significantly the paw edema induced by carrageenan in mice at 27.36%, 39.62%, and 56.60% (after 6 hours) at the doses of 100, 200, and 400 (mg/kg) respectively.
... Essential leaf oil is composed of an intricate blend of constituents, some of them in larger amounts or with varying proportions, each contributing to a distinctive scent. The great number of phytochemicals in the EOs exerts physiological effects and therapeutic potential, including anticonvulsant [33], in vitro antibacterial [50], antifungal [51], antidiabetic [41,52,53], analgesic and anti-inflammatory [32], anticancer [54,55], neuroprotective [56], anticholinergic [57], and antioxidant effects [49,58,59], acaricidal [60] activities, and insecticidal effects [61]. Allergic contact dermatitis with laurel essential oil has been observed in rare cases [62]. ...
Laurus nobilis L. is commonly used in folk medicine in the form of infusion or decoction to treat gastrointestinal diseases and flatulence as a carminative, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory agent. In this study, the essential oil (EO) composition of wild-grown L. nobilis L. leaves collected from seven different altitudinal locations in the Molise region and adjacent regions (Abruzzo and Campania) was investigated. EOs from the leaves were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS, and 78 compounds were identified. The major oil components were 1,8-cineol (43.52–31.31%), methyl-eugenol (14.96–4.07%), α-terpinyl acetate (13.00–8.51%), linalool (11.72–1.08%), sabinene (10.57–4.85%), α-pinene (7.41–3.61%), eugenol (4.12–1.97%), and terpinen-4-ol (2.33–1.25%). Chemometric techniques have been applied to compare the chemical composition. To shed light on the nutraceutical properties of the main hydrophobic secondary metabolites (≥1.0%) of laurel EOs, we assessed the in vitro antioxidant activities based on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) radical scavenging activity and the reducing antioxidant power by using a ferric reducing power (FRAP) assay. Furthermore, we highlighted the anti-inflammatory effects of seven EOs able to interfere with the enzyme soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), a key enzyme in the arachidonic acid cascade, in concentrations ranging from 16.5 ± 4.3 to 8062.3 ± 580.9 mg/mL. Thanks to in silico studies, we investigated and rationalized the observed anti-inflammatory properties, ascribing the inhibitory activity toward the disclosed target to the most abundant volatile phytochemicals (≥1.0%) of seven EOs.
... The leaf essential oil of L. nobilis exhibited dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity in the formalin-induced edema of mice and rats. The anti-inflammatory effect of L. nobilis (at 0.2 mL/kg) was also stronger than that of piroxicam [110]. The ethanol extract of L. nobilis seed showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in mice without inducing any gastric damage; however, the leaf extract did not show any activity [111]. ...
... It is known to be used as a medicinal herb for rheumatism, skin rashes and earaches. In the medical literature, it is stated that bay leaf has antioxidant (Simic et al. 2003), analgesic (pain reliever), anti-inflammatory (Sayyah et al. 2002), anticonvulsant (antiepileptic) (Sayyah et al. 2003) and antifungal (Rodilla et al. 2008) effects. ...
Türkiye is one of the gene centers of medicinal and aromatic trees such as laurel, sumac, hawthorn, and carob. Laurel leaves, with their antiseptic and antibacterial properties and sumac extracts, with their antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal properties, and DNA-protective effects are very popular. The flower, leaf, and fruit extracts of the hawthorn are used for cardiovascular, hypertension, and diabetic diseases. Carob products for hemoglobin, cough, diabetes, and gall bladder diseases. Oleic acid and lauric acid are obtained from bay laurel berries. The main component of bay laurel leaf essential oil is 1,8-cineole. Since sumac oil has a high monounsaturated fatty acid content, it is more resistant to oxidative deterioration and can be stored for a longer time. Hawthorn fruits, leaves, and flowers contain a number of chemical constituents, such as flavonoids, oligomeric proanthocyanidins, triterpene acids, organic acids, sterols, and cardioactive amines. The dry matter of the carob fruit contains a high amount of sugar (more than 50%). In the future, it is expected that the interest will increase in the extracts and drugs of these species, as they are rich sources of bioactive compounds that have positive effects on human health.
... Antimicrobial, antioxidant, antibiofilm, antiproliferative, insecticidal, acaricidal, anticholinesterase, anti-atherogenic, and cytotoxic activities with analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anticonvulsant effects of essential oils obtained from the Laurus nobilis leaves were clarified (Sayyah et al. 2002(Sayyah et al. , 2003Jemaa et al. 2012;Yilmaz et al. 2013;Abu-Dahab et al. 2014;Merghni et al. 2016;Belasli et al. 2020;Demirbolat et al. 2020;Stefanova et al. 2020;Alimi et al. 2021;Nagah et al. 2021;Yakoubi et al. 2021;Odeh et al. 2022). ...
Laurus nobilis L. is an aromatic shrub or tree, Mediterranean element. The leaves are employed as a spice and for medicinal purposes. It is known by various names in Turkey, such as “defne, har and tehnel.” In this study, 15 different laurel leaf samples were purchased from 6 different cities in Turkey, diagnosed, and evaluated in terms of quality. The conditions of use and sale of these samples were evaluated. The essential oils obtained from the leaf samples were analyzed, and their physical properties such as density, refractive index, and optical rotation were determined. In the chemical composition of the oils, 1,8-cineole (41.2–64.4%), sabinene (1.5–15.9%), and α-terpinyl acetate (1.5–15%) have been found to be the major components. However, in one station, the presence of 1,8-cineole was not be determined. Laurel leaf drugs offered for sale in some provinces of Turkey were purchased from the market and their morphological characteristics and essential oil profiles were examined and evaluated in terms of public health. It was determined that these samples should be standardized and quality-controlled before being released to the market.
... In western countries, laurel leaf has been used in traditional and complementary medicine to treat rheumatic disorders and other ailments including dyspepsia (Fang et al., 2004). Laurel leaves also provide key features such as thermostability, phytotoxicity-free status, and the capacity to treat excessive blood sugar, migraines, headaches, stomach ulcers, and bacterial and fungal infections (Sayyah et al., 2003;Polovka and Suhaj, 2010). It is even more critical to feed with functional foods to boost body immunity against Covid-19 and other infectious diseases that are on the rise around the world. ...
The purpose of this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) leaf powder
(LLP) on performance, thigh and breast meat lipid oxidation and chemical composition, body components, digestive
tract parts and some blood parameters in broiler chickens. A total of 144 d-old mix-sexed chicks were weighed and
randomly assigned to four experimental groups with three replicates of 12 chicks (6 ♀ and 6 ♂) each. Treatments were
as follows: (i) basal diet-no additive (control), (ii) basal diet+1000 mg/kg LLP, (iii) basal diet+5000 mg/kg LLP and
(iv) basal diet+10000 mg/kg LLP. The results revealed that over entire the experimental period body weight and body
weight gain increased by LLP supplementation (p<0.01). Feed intake of birds enhanced (p<0.05) whilst feed con�version ratio and chemical composition of thigh meat were not significantly affected by LLP concentration (p>0.05).
Liver weight improved with 10000 mg/kg LLP (p<0.001) and the weight of ileum + jejunum improved with 5000 and
10000 mg/kg LLP (p<0.01). Breast meat dry matter content (p<0.05), serum glucose (p<0.05), the TBARS values of
breast and thigh meat decreased (p<0.001). As a result, LLP supplementation in broiler diets can be advised because
it lowers lipid oxidation in the meat.
... Nevertheless the preliminary evidence that has been published to date would appear to support a variety of medicinal uses (Batool et al., 2020;Kumar et al., 2000). Bay leaves have well-established antibacterial, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and even analgesic properties (e.g., Basak and Candan, 2013;Biondi et al., 1993;Derwich et al., 2009;Nabila et al., 2022;Sayyah et al., 2003;Yilmaz et al., 2013). Furthermore, bay leaves contain cineole (sometimes referred to as eucalyptol), which is described ...
... The essential oil exhibited a significant analgesic effect in the tail-flick and formalin tests, a dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect in the formalin-induced edema, and a moderate sedative effect at the anti-inflammatory doses. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of the essential oil was comparable to reference analgesics and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs: morphine and piroxicam (Sayyah et al., 2003). ...
Laurus nobilis is native to the southern Mediterranean region. It is a small tree from the Lauraceae family. The leaves of L. nobilis are the most exploited part of the plant due not only to the high produced quantity but to the large benefits and extensive use in different fields including culinary, cosmetic, therapeutic, and pharmacologic. The various beneficial health properties attributed to bay leaves are related to the presence of various bioactive compounds. Chemically, they contain numerous essential elements, some vitamins, and many secondary metabolites such as essential oils (cineole, linalool, and eugenol), phenolic compounds, particularly phenolic acids (ferulic, protocatechuic, and caffeic acids, etc.) and flavonoids (such as catechin, kaempferol, apigenin, quercetin, and their derivatives), and alkaloids (noraporphins and aporphins). Laurel leaves are not only used to flavor dishes, but present several beneficial properties that justified their traditional use against numerous illnesses, particularly for rheumatism, indigestion, and diarrhea. Bay leaves are an essential component of several industrial applications including agrifoods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Due to the presence of cited chemical constituents in bay leaves, various biological and pharmacological properties have been reported such as antioxidant, antibacterial, fungicidal, antiviral, insecticidal, wound healing, antimutagen, anticonvulsant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and immunostimulatory activities. This review provides an overview of L. nobilis leaves, beginning with botanical aspects, including its preparation and composition, followed by a discussion about the most abundant bioactive compounds, and finally the traditional uses and therapeutic effects.
... Several scholarly articles have demonstrated the analgesic, anticonvulsant and anti-inflammatory properties of bay leaf essential oils. [3][4][5] We have also isolated and separated these phytoconstituents from plants by using some instrumental and conventional techniques and further this phytoconstituents studied for its acetylcholine esterase and buterylcholine esterase inhibition activity by using scopolamine-induced rats. ...
Indian spices always play a great role in Ayurveda and Indian medicine. So, analyzing these plants for their unknown and specialized activity is great. Nearly all the spices have some activity on the brain and CNS. Bay leaves are one of the most common culinary spices from day to day life of Indians. In this study, we have studied bay leaves for their anti-Alzheimer activity which depends on the inhibition of acetylcholine esterase and butyrylcholinesterase. For this study, fi rstly bay leaf oil was extracted by hydrodistillation. Further phytoconstituent like alpha-pinene, terpineol, 1,8-cineol, sabinene, and methyl eugenol were isolated and purifi ed by using TLC, HPLC, and column chromatography followed by fractional distillation. These isolated phytoconstituents were evaluated for their acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibition activity in scopolamine-induced rats. This study used galanthamine as a reference, and compared the anti-alzheimer activity of all isolated phytoconstituents.
... The results also indicated a dose-dependent antiinflammatory effect on formalin-induced edema, as well as a mild sedative effect at the anti-inflammatory doses. In comparison to reference analgesics and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs such as morphine and piroxicam, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of the EO were found to be similar [88]. Using a carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model in mice, ethanolic extracts of L. nobilis leaves and seeds were shown to have prominent anti-inflammatory activity [89]. ...
Laurus nobilis belongs to the family Lauraceae and is characterized by its evergreen nature. It is well known because of its traditional use in cooking and folk medicine. Many studies have been performed regarding its chemical composition and the pharmacological potential it exhibits. It has been reported to have antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, biocidal, antidiabetic, antiulcerogenic, neuroprotective, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anticholinergic properties, making this plant of great clinical importance. The main chemical compounds that show bioactive properties in L. nobilis are terpenoids, phenolics, and fatty acids. The purpose of this review is to describe the main use of L. nobilis, notably of the leaves and fruits, and to relate their metabolite content with their pharmacological and toxicological properties.
... [22] Anti-inflammatory activity was confirmed in essential oil from LN in a formalin-induced oedema rodent model. [23] LN was also shown to possess hypolipidemic properties by lowering plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels in zebrafish. [24] Oral administration of LN in a 40-person clinical trial improved lipid profiles in individuals with T2DM by reducing LDL-cholesterol by 40% and triacylglycerides by 25%. ...
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are classified as chronic inflammatory disorders and typically require anti-inflammatory drug therapies, such as glucocorticoid regimens, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and biologics, aimed at reducing inflammation in the bowel wall. However, each of these therapies is accompanied by a list of possible serious side effects. Because of this, there remains an urgent need to identify new pharmacologic options to reduce or prevent the pro-inflammatory events of IBD while minimizing adverse side effects, and to make available more cost-effective treatment modalities. We have previously identified several herbal extracts that demonstrate potent bio-inhibitory activity of the innate immune response. In particular, Laurus nobilis (LN), or more commonly called bay laurel, demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory function by inhibiting nuclear factor-κB activation. Based upon our original in vitro findings, we have now examined the effects of this herbal extract on a murine dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) model of IBD. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained paraffin sections prepared from DSS treated animals show clear epithelial damage, including ulcerations, extensive neutrophil infiltration into the mucosal layer, and granuloma formation. Tissue from DSS treated animals that also received LN extract showed improved tissue morphology more closely resembling that from control animals. In addition, DSS treated mice with co-administration of LN extract showed a significant reduction in CD4+ antibody staining within the mucosal layer in colonic sections indicating reduced lymphocyte infiltration. Based on these findings, we believe that administration of LN extracts may be effective in reducing the intestinal epithelial damage seen in human IBD and warrants further investigation through clinical trials. Lay Summary: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), manifest as chronic inflammation and ulceration of tissues lining the digestive tract. CD involves inflammation of the deeper layers of the digestive tract, including both the small and large intestines, and less commonly, the upper digestive tract. UC involves inflammation along the lining of the colon and rectum. Steroid or biologic treatments for IBD are common, however, are limited due to significant side effects and/or prohibitive cost. In the present study, we provide evidence for use of the natural product, Laurus nobilis (bay leaf), as a safe and effective anti-inflammatory therapy for IBD.
... The isolated components from the leaves showed great interest compared to those of the other parts of the plant. The presence of eucalyptol, α-pinene, methyl eugenol, α-terpineol, and β-pinene have been suggested as major compounds in bay laurel EO responsible for the antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects (17,18). Despite several studies engaged in the phytochemical analysis of EO and natural products from the extracts of bay laurel collected from different countries and origins, their immunomodulatory effects on human PMNs are rare, and there are no Moroccan species described in the literature. ...
Introduction: The leaves of Moroccan bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) have been used in several forms of extracts to cure rheumatic pain due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Our work aimed to evaluate the effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts, as well as the essential oil (EO) from laurel, on the microbicidal activity of human neutrophils when compared to the effect of eucalyptol.
Methods: The extracts (ethanolic and aqueous) were subject to phytochemical profiling and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses. The EO obtained by hydrodistillation from laurel was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The immunomodulatory effects on neutrophil microbicidal activity of the extracts, EO, and eugenol were carried out by 3-(4,5-diméthylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphényltétrazolium (MTT) assay.
Results: The phytochemical analysis of the extracts revealed the presence of flavonoids, coumarins, phenols, flavone aglycones, and tannins. HPLC analysis showed the presence of numerous phenolic molecules such as syringic acid, ferulic acid, gallic acid, caffeine, and quercetin. The chemical composition of EO revealed that the major components were eucalyptol (44.14%), α-terpinyl acetate (11.11%), and β-phellandrene (6.74%). Aqueous and ethanolic extracts and EO revealed a significant and dose-dependent ability to inhibit neutrophils microbicidal activity with maximal inhibition at 200 μg/mL concentration with 30.42%, 24.7%, and 38.13%, respectively (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: The obtained results revealed the immunomodulatory properties of laurel as a potential natural anti-inflammatory agent that would also allow the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs.
... Nees.Bay leaves are one of the most essential spices used in cooking and have been used as a traditional medicine to treat several diseases such as indigestion, earaches, rheumatism, and sprains, and to enhance perspiration (Fang et al., 2005). It has very powerful antioxidant, analgesic, and antiinflammatory properties (Sayyah et al., 2003) (Fig. 5-H). ...
Spice crops have versatile economic uses and medicinal properties. People commonly use spices in the cooking of foods. Many spice crops were collected from home and abroad and are being conserved in Bangladesh Agricultural University Botanical Garden (BAUBG). A survey was carried out to update the list of spice crops available in BAUBG and to record their diversity, and economic and therapeutic uses.Thirty spice species identified in BAUBG belong to 16 families. A brief description of the therapeutic/medicinal uses of each species has been presented in the text.
... The reduced level of nitrite in the groups cotreated with BL extract and AlCl 3 suggests an anti-inflammatory property through probable inhibition of NO production. This finding agrees with previous related studies that reported the anti-inflammatory property of BL in vivo [56,57]. ...
Background and Aim: Human exposure to aluminum is inevitable, and one of the most adverse health effects of aluminum is a decrease in male fertility rates. Therefore, this study investigated the ameliorative effects of an aqueous extract from Laurus nobilis-bay leaf (BL) on aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced testicular toxicity in rats.
Materials and Methods: Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 6, each group): The control (group 1) received normal saline; Group 2 animals were intraperitoneally administered with 30 mg/kg body weight (BW) AlCl3; and Groups 3 and 4 were co-administered AlCl3 with 125 or 250 mg/kg BW of BL extract, respectively, for 21 days. Testes, epididymis, and blood samples were collected. Testicular plasma enzyme activity was measured using a spectrophotometric assay, while concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.
Results: There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in testicular enzyme activity in the group treated with AlCl3. However, there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in testicular enzyme activity in groups co-administered AlCl3 and BL extract as compared with that in control. There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in testicular nitrite concentration in the AlCl3-treated group, whereas the administration of BL extract significantly (p < 0.05) decreased nitrite concentration in Groups 3 and 4. Furthermore, the administration of BL extracts increased sperm count and improved the morphology of the testes in AlCl3-treated rats. Flavonoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, tannin, glycosides, saponin, anthraquinones, and steroids were identified in BL extract, with alkaloids and glycosides being the most abundant.
Conclusion: Aqueous extract from BL ameliorated the toxic effect of AlCl3 and exhibited anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting nitrite production while improving sperm count and morphology in AlCl3-treated rats. The bioactivity of the extract may be attributed to the presence of a wide range of phytochemicals. Therefore, BL aqueous extract could be a promising source of novel compounds with male fertility-promoting and anti-inflammatory properties.
... The essential oil significantly displayed an anti-inflammatory effect in the progressive increase in the formalin-induced paw edema, in a dose-dependent manner. Besides, it showed a moderate sedative effect at the antiinflammatory doses (Sayyah et al. 2003). ...
Laurus nobilis L. is evergreen aromatic shrubs or trees, belongs to Lauraceae family, and is cultivated because of its aromatic leaves and ornamental interest. This chapter first summarized the description and distribution of the plant. Its chemical composition and traditional use were demonstrated in detail. The biological activities of its extracts, fractions, and pure compounds have been highlighted for further studies of the researchers. Besides, its toxicity and allergenicity properties were indicated.Keywords
Laurus nobilis
Traditional useChemical compositionBiological activities
... The bay leaf (Laurus nobilis L.), an aromatic herb, is one of the oldest and most widely used spice, widely grown in the Mediterranean region (Sayyah et al., 2003). The bay leaf is rich in bioactive compounds which are secondary metabolites that have a positive effect on health (Simić et al., 2003). ...
In this study, the microwave-assisted and enzyme-assisted extraction efficiency were compared to solvent extraction. The extraction efficiencies were evaluated in bay leaf extract in terms of phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. The total phenolic content (mg GAE/g) of the extracts from three different extraction methods as a solvent, enzyme-assisted, and microwave-assisted extraction was found 23.29±0.02, 32.45±0.02, and 30.49±0.02, respectively. The highest value for the total phenolic content was found from the enzyme-assisted extraction. DPPH radical scavenging capacity (%) of the extracts from three different extraction methods was found at 36.91%±0.05, 50.72%±0.27, and 41.51%±0.09, respectively. Like the total phenolic content, the highest value for the DPPH radical scavenging capacity was found from the enzyme-assisted extraction. In addition, total dry matter, total ash, total protein, ascorbic acid, and total chlorophyll content of the bay leaf were analyzed.
... Laurus nobilis L., a part of lauraceae family, is widely cultivated in Europe and the Mediterranean, it has been used as a traditional medicine [13]. Laurus nobilis L. has antimicrobial properties as well as antioxidant , and anti-inflammatory [14][15][16]. The leaves of this plant have been used as a treatment of different diseases like arthritis, skin inflammation, rheumatic pains, and asthma [17]. ...
... The current, shock duration, frequency and pulse width were set and maintained at 90 mA, 0.80 second, 200 pulse/second and 0.8 m/s respectively. The ability to prevent this feature or prolong the latency and/or onset of the tonic hindlimb extension was considered as an indication of an anticonvulsant activity (Sayyah et al., 2002). ...
This research work aimed to establish scientific basis for the use of Chamaecrista mimosoides, in traditional medicine as anti-epileptic medication. The whole plant part of Chamaecrista mimosoides was extracted with ethanol and screened for phytochemicals. Acute toxicity study was carried out using Lorke's method and the antiepileptic activity was evaluated using maximal electroshock induced seizure test in day-old chicks, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and strychnine using mice. The phytochemical study revealed the presence of saponins, cardiac glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids and cardenolides. Both the chloroform, ethylacetate and n-butanol portions at 100, 250, and 500mg/kg body weight did not protect the chicks against tonic hind limb extension (THLE) in maximal electro-shock test (MEST). The chloroform and n-butanol portions at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight protected 40% and 60% of mice against clonic spasm induced by pentylenetetrazole, while ethyl-acetate soluble portion did not protect the mice against clonic spasm induced by pentylene-tetrazole at all doses used when compared to Valproic acid (200 mg/kg) protected all the mice (100%) against clonic spasm induced by pentylenetetrazole. The chloroform soluble portion at the doses of 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight protected 40%, 100%, 100% against death induced by strychnine, while ethylacetate and n-butanol portions did not protect the rats against death induced by strychnine but prolonged the onset of convulsion. In all the tests, phenobarbitone (20 mg/kg) was used as positive control and protected 80% of mice against convulsion induced by strychnine. The antiepileptic investigation suggests that the chloroform portion of Chamaecrista mimosoides has a promising antiepileptic activity.
... ml/kg. Later, the same group evaluated also the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of bay leaves essential oil and, in this study, they reported slightly different doses for the sedative effect of L. nobilis (0.125 mL/kg and 0.5 mL/kg of essential oil produced moderate and severe sedation respectively) [187]. These effects may be due to the presence of eugenol and methyl eugenol with their related pharmacological activities [188]. ...
Anxiety and insomnia are among the most common mental health disorders and are a major cause of disability around the world. Traditional herbal medicines are receiving significant attention in global health debates. Several Italian regions maintain rural traditions and are among the most extensively studied areas of Europe regarding medicinal plant uses. The present overview aims to highlight the use of wild and cultivated plants, specifically as sedatives and for insomnia treatment in Italy, and to collect, analyze, and summarize the available literature about their pharmacological activity as well as clinical and pre-clinical studies concerning the most cited plants. In total, 106 wild taxa are used in Italy for sedative purposes. The plant species belong to 76 genera and 32 families, of which the most cited are Asteraceae (24.2%) and Lamiaceae (21.1%). Leaves (29%) and flowers (27%) are the plant parts mostly used as infusion (70%) and decoction (25%). Out of 106 taxa documented, only the most cited are analyzed in this overview (A. arvensis L., C. nepeta L., C. monogyna Jacq., H. lupulus L., L. nobilis L., L. angustifolia Mill., M. sylvestris L., M. chamomilla L., M. officinalis L., O. basilicum L., P. rhoeas L., P. somniferum L., R. officinalis L., T. platyphyllus Scop., and V. officinalis L.). Among the fifteen species selected, only seven have been studied for their pharmacological activity as hypnotic-sedatives. Future pre-clinical and clinical studies are needed to better clarify the mechanism of action of bioactive compounds and confirm the potential of these alternative therapies.
... Oral administrations of L. nobilis dried leaves to rabbits also demonstrated antioxidant as well as protective effects on cataract development (Casamassima et al., 2017). Oil extract of L. nobilis leaves showed a dose dependent anti-inflammatory effect and a significant antinociceptive activity in mice and rats (Sayyah et al., 2003). The polysaccharides and oil extracts of L. nobilis growing in Lebanon were also studied and reported to exhibit antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities (Chmit et al., 2014). ...
Laurus nobilis, commonly known as bay, is used in folk medicine as a remedy for many ailments. The present study investigates the protective effect of L. nobilis leaves extract against high fat diet-induced type 2 diabetes in rats. Animals were divided into group 1 (control), groups 2, 3, and 4 (bay leaves aqueous (AQ) extracts; 50, 100, and 250 mg/kg of body weight, respectively), and groups 5, 6, and 7 (bay leaves methanol/acetone (MeAc) extract; 50, 100, and 250 mg/kg of body weight, respectively). Animals were fed an isocaloric high fat diet for four weeks. The intake of bay leaves extracts was associated with a significant decrease in serum levels of glucose (AQ, 100 and 250 mg/kg; MeAc, 50, 100, and 250 mg/kg) and serum triglyceride (AQ, 250 mg/kg; MeAc, 100, and 250 mg/kg) as well as lower abdominal fat (all AQ and MeAc groups) and body weight gain (MeAc groups only). In conclusion, L. nobilis leaves extract intake provides a protective remedy against high fat diet-induced type 2 diabetes.
... In ancient Greece, a laurel wreath was known as a symbol of triumph dedicated to the god Apollo. Numerous studies have shown that laurel essential oils have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant and antitumor effects [5,6,7,8]. In this research, the cytotoxic activity of essential oil isolated from cultivated laurel leaves was investigated. ...
Laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) is a Mediterranean plant from the Lauraceae family that grows in the form of an evergreen shrub or medium-tall tree (10–15 m). Laurel is rich in biologically active compounds that are mostly found in the leaves. Aromatic laurel leaves are simple, elliptical and oblong, with wavy edges and pointed tips, on the upper side they are dark green and shiny, on the lower side they are green, without shine, bare. This paper investigates the cytotoxic activity of essential oil isolated from leaves of cultivated laurel. Sampling of laurel was performed on a plantation of aromatic plants near Unešić (Croatia), which is located at about 340 meters above sea level, in an area where the Mediterranean and mild continental climate meet. Laurel plantations are two years old and the cultivation was carried out in an environmentally friendly way. Essential oil was isolated from the dried plant material by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger apparatus for 3 hours. The yield of essential oil was 1.42%. The analysis of the essential oil was performed by GC-MS instrumental technique. The cytotoxic activity of essential oil isolated from laurel leaves was investigated on breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231) and lung cancer (A549). Cell treatment was performed with essential oil dissolved in nutrient medium with DMSO (<1%) used to improve oil solubility. Cell viability was determined relative to control cells by MTT reagent and by absorbance measurement at a wavelength of 570 nm. The estimated IC50 value in tests with breast cancer cells was 336.83 ± 24.17 µg/mL after 24 hours and 276.83 ± 25.03 µg / mL after 48 hours. In tests performed on lung cancer cells, the IC50 value was 354 ± 15.10 µg/mL after 24 hours and 361 ± 22.50 µg/mL after 48 hours.
... 25 An ethanolic extract of bay leaf was administered orally (200 mg/kg, 30 days) to diabetic rats (n = 10/group). ↓Chemicaland electrical-induced seizures ↓Chemical-induced neuropathic pain and inflammatory activity ↓6-OHDA-induced dopaminergic cell death in rat substantia nigra ↓Neural necrosis, neuronophagia, and focal gliosis in the cerebral cortex of a lead-treated rat brain Correction of lead-induced imbalance in brain AcChE activity [57][58][59][60] Leaf incense inhalation ↓SCO-induced cognitive deficits ↓SCO-induced oxidative stress and AcChE activity in rat hippocampus 61 1,8-cineole ↓Chemical-, thermal-, and mechanical-induced neuropathic pain and inflammation, and mRNA and protein expression of purinoceptor P2X3 in spinal cord dorsal horn ↓Subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced brain edema, neurological deficits, and proinflammatory cytokines 53 Compared with controls, those diabetic animals fed the extract exhibited a decrease in blood levels of FBG, TC, TG, LDL, AST, and AST and an increase in HDL and insulin. 26 Oral dosing of diabetic mice with 1,8-cineole (10 mg/kg, 8 weeks), compared with controls, resulted in a significant lowering of diabetes-induced structural damage to kidney glomeruli, in enhanced filtration function, and in lower amounts of advanced glycation end products within the kidney. ...
Bay leaf or bay laurel is a culinary herb obtained from the small evergreen tree Laurus nobilis L. (family Lauraceae). This plant is native to the Mediterranean region and enjoys widespread cultivation in the warm climates of the southern United States, Central America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. As a culinary herb, it is known to flavor numerous cuisines of Turkey, India, Italy, and France. It is a common component in the French mixture of herbs “bouquet garni” and is added to various dishes during cooking such as sauces, soups, stocks, casseroles, sausages, and stews and then removed before consumption. Many uses of bay leaf and its oil in traditional and folk medicines have been documented. These include as treatment of respiratory disorders and infections, gastrointestinal discomfort and irregularity, diarrhea, and amenorrhea and as an emetic, stimulant, and diuretic, to name a few. To date, few human studies have examined the health benefits of bay leaves. This narrative review summarizes relevant clinical trials and preclinical animal investigations, and highlights future research needs.
... Cassia leaf (Cinnamomum tamala), also known as Bay leaf is an essential ingredient in cooking and has been used as herbal medicine against several diseases such as rheumatism, sprains, indigestion, earaches, and to enhance perspiration [22] . Ethanol extracts of Bay leaf has powerful antioxidant, [23] analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities [24] furthermore its methanolic extract of seed oil and essential oils has more effective antibacterial action against gram-positive pathogenic bacteria [25] . A randomized controlled trial revealed that Bay leaf can reduce blood glucose and LDL cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes [26] . ...
Medicinal plants are being used by human beings from the beginning of civilization to treat different ailments. As an origin of medicine, these plants played essential roles in almost every civilization. Bangladesh is a country of a tropical region having large amounts of medicinal plants which native people are using. A large portion of therapeutically active molecules is present in these plants, which can be used to synthesize modern medicines. However, a lot of plant-based substances are used to make the cooking more tasteful. In this review, we gathered the chemical compositions and pharmacological activities of several culinary agents which are very commonly used in this country. These substances contain several secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, flavonoids, and important medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-pyretic antidiabetic, and anticancer. A detailed study may be performed on the structure of these medicinal compounds and designing novel drugs. This work will help those who want to explore the activities and use them to treat diseases better.
... European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients (Cos-Ing) contains laurel extracts, oil and hydrosol. Extracts and essential oil of bay leaves are known to have analgesic, anti inflammatory, anticonvulsive and antiepileptic effects 3,4 . Bay leaf essential oil is also used traditionally for relieving hemorrhoids and dermatitis 5,6 . ...
Laurus nobilis L. is a dioecious species that have separate female and male plants. The Aegean
region of Turkey is a common place for laurel where it is cultivated for industrial purposes and wildly
grown. In this study, we aimed to determine the gender-specific properties of laurel leaf and flower essential oils
by means of chemical compositions and biological activities. In both genders -whether it is cultivated or notlaurel
leaves presented the same yield of essential oils having almost the same compositions. According to
the results, we found that the differences in yields and compositions of flower essential oils were only affiliated
with gender. All essential oils performed mild antioxidant activities and significant antimicrobial effects yet
essential oils of leaves were much more superior in every aspect. The alterations in the chemical composition of
flower essential oils from different genders did not affect the overall biological activities so we presumed that
trans-ocimene and α-terpinyl acetate were not effectual in antioxidant and antimicrobial capabilities.
... However, complex interactions may occur among the components of oil in an unpredicted manner that may affect the insecticidal activity. Similarly, bay EO is a well-known compound that exhibits antibacterial (Evrendilek 2015), antifungal (Gumus et al. 2010), insecticidal (Sertkaya et al. 2010), acaricidal (Senfi et al. 2014), repellent (Drapeau et al. 2009), larvicidal (Pavela 2009), antiproliferative (Abu-Dahab et al. 2014) and anti-inflammatory properties (Sayyah et al. 2003). However, many of these compounds show discouraging effects on target insects with respect to slow action (Norris et al. 2015). ...
The housefly (Musca domestica) is incriminated as a vector of many detrimental diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, etc. To combat its population below threshold levels many types of insecticides including essential oils (EOs) have been tested from time to time. However the insect has often shown some resistance to proliferate and reproduce continuously. In view of this objective, present study highlights the antioxidative responses of M. domestica larvae to Bay, Lemongrass and Tea tree EOs during a short-term exposure (24 h) to respective compounds. After treatment with EOs, the housefly larvae showed increased levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA) indicating increased lipid peroxidation due to tested oils. The Tea tree essential oil induced substantial increase in superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities as compared to lemongrass and bay EOs. Moreover, Lemongrass EO was found to significantly affect the catalase activity depicting a value of 0.0733 ± 0.006 units per milligram of protein (U/mg protein). In case of glutathione reductase activity, higher effect was induced by bay EO exhibiting 0.0150 ± 0.001 U/mg protein which was preceded by tea tree compound. The observations of the present study signpost that M. domestica has evolved antioxidant defence mechanism to combat reactive oxygen species generated by short term exposure of LC 50 concentration of tested EOs. Therefore proper optimization of EO concentration together with time of exposure of the insect becomes imperative for formulating organic insecticides against house fly populations.
... The ability to prevent this feature or prolong the latency and/or onset of the tonic hindlimb extension was considered as an indication of an anticonvulsant activity. 19 ...
Yaygın olarak defne adıyla bilinen Laurus nobilis L., Lauraceae familyasına ait bir tür olup, Akdeniz ikliminin karakteristik bir bitkisidir. Bitki, ülkemizde kıyı kesimlerinde yayılış göstermektedir ve yapraklarından elde edilen uçucu yağı, halk arasında gıdalarda aroma verici ve baharat olarak kullanılmaktadır. Yapılan çalışmalar sonucunda, terpenik bileşiklerce zengin uçucu yağının, antimikrobiyal, antioksidan, insektisit, akarisidal, antikonvülsan, sitotoksik vb. birçok biyolojik aktiviteye sahip olduğu gösterilmiştir. Uçucu yağın ana bileşiminde yaklaşık 322 bileşik tespit edilmiş olup, ana bileşenlerin 1,8-sineol, α-terpinil asetat olduğu belirlenmiştir. Bu derlemede, L. nobilis yapraklarından elde edilen uçucu yağın geleneksel kullanımı, fitokimyasal içeriği ve biyolojik aktiviteleri vurgulanarak, uçucu yağ hakkında yapılan çalışmaların bilimsel bir sentezinin sunulması amaçlanmaktadır.
Information about the physical properties of bay laurel fruit is important for designing the equipment for processing, transportation, sorting, separation, and storing. To our knowledge, no research was undertaken in northern Morocco to study the dimensional or geometrical traits of Bay laurel fruit, hence, the present research aims to determine some physical properties of bay laurel fruit as a function of moisture content and harvest season. In this research work the dimensional properties (length, width, thickness, arithmetic, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, volume of the fruit, surface area, and projected area) were investigated depending on moisture. Also, sphericity, volume, and surface area were determined by using different theoretical equations and the results of different equations were compared.
COVID-19 has been declared pandemic, globally, it is clear that none of food or dietary supplement is more important than social distancing and practicing good hygiene practices, to get ourselves protected from COVID-19. Natural herbal immune-boosters carrying the potential to fight viral infections in the form of herbal supplements are known for their immune-boosting potential. Some of the major herbal immune-boosters are need to be discussed at this point of time. Some herbs can act well in strengthening the immunity on prolonged and regular use. Some formulations have been found to alter some modules of immune function; their inclusion in any form in daily life can play vital role to enhance immunity to the point where we are better protected against diseases. A review has been done on the herbs carrying immune-promoter prospective.
Bay leaf, also known as laurel leaf, is produced by the sweet bay tree (Laurus nobilis), an evergreen member of the Lauraceae family that is indigenous to areas bordering the Mediterranean. Bay leaves have been shown to increase insulin activity. It is used to treat or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. The term "bay leaf" describes a variety of aromatic plant leaves that are used in cooking. Its chemical composition of it mainly consists of tanning agents, 2-phenyl-4H-chromen-4-one, Flavones with additional hydroxyl groups such as quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin, organic compounds containing nitrogen and often with pharmacological effects, such as caffeine, morphine, and nicotine, 2-methoxy-4-(prop-2-en-1-yl)phenol, 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadien-3-ol, 1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene and water-soluble pigments responsible for the red, purple, and blue colors in fruits, vegetables, and flowers, such as cyanidin, delphinidin, and pelargonidin. Bay leaves have numerous biological properties that make them useful for various purposes. They have wound-healing abilities, act as antioxidants, and have antibacterial, antiviral, and immunostimulant properties. Additionally, they possess anticholinergic, antifungal, and insect-repellent properties, making them versatile for different applications. They also have anticonvulsant and antimutagenic effects and can act as analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents. The bay leaf found in India, also referred to as malabathrum, tej patta, Malabar leaf, Indian bark, or Indian cassia, shares a similar appearance with the bay laurel leaf. However, it differs significantly in terms of its flavor and aroma. This abstract presents information on the botanical and chemical characteristics of Laurus nobilis (Bay Laurel), along with their traditional and modern medicinal uses. Indian bay leaves are found in the Himalayas and are a common ingredient in Indian cuisine. In addition to being used as a spice, they contain various nutrients, such as iron, manganese, and vitamins. The essential oil extracted from the bay leaves, specifically myrcene, is used in perfumery and as a pest deterrent. For centuries, Bay Laurel has been employed in traditional medicine to provide relief for a range of health conditions, including respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal discomfort, and gynecological issues, among others. Furthermore, bay leaves contain minerals like calcium, iron, and zinc, and they exhibit powerful antioxidant properties. The chemical constituents of both species include a range of essential oils, flavonoids, terpenes, and esters, which contribute to their medicinal properties. This information may be useful for researchers and practitioners interested in exploring the potential health benefits of these plant species. The objective of this research was to examine the pharmacological properties of Laurus nobilis, which is popularly known as bay leaf. The findings demonstrated that bay leaf's methanolic extracts had a more significant impact on preventing the growth of different strains of bacteria and fungi. Additionally, bay leaf's essential oils displayed effective antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus intermedius, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, the researchers also evaluated the antioxidant and anticancer activity of bay leaf. Bay leaf also exhibited antioxidant properties, and its extracts had a moderate to strong DPPH radical scavenging effect. In addition, the fresh essential oil of bay leaf showed more growth inhibitory effects against five different human cancer cell lines compared to stored essential oil. The results indicate that bay leaf possesses promising qualities as a natural agent for antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer purposes.
The Indian cuisine is enriched with different flavouring agents and seasonings which contain various active principles. Thus, long term consumption of these condiments might have both positive and negative impacts. In this review, we have enlisted 5 types of leaf condiments (Ocimum tenuiflorum, Petroselinum crispum, Laurus nobilis, Coriandrum sativum,andCymbopogon citratus) and 5 types of seed condiments (Myristica fragrans, Brassica nigra, Cuminum cyminum, Trigonella foenumgraceum and Foeniculum vulgare) and discussed about their origins, usage, and their beneficial effects and detrimental effects (if any) when consumed for a long time. Throughout this study, we explore multifarious health benefits offered by these flavouring agents with respect to their anti-diabetic properties, anti-tumour properties, antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory properties etc. Recently, the anti-proliferative, anti-hypercholesterolemic properties of spices have gained overriding importance, as they attend to the key health concerns of mankind nowadays. Therefore, detailed research might be carried out in the future so as to purify the active ingredients in these flavouring agents, to understand closely their mode of action so that they can be used in medicinal purposes.
The aim of this work was to estimate the growth of Laurus nobilis seedlings under different levels, period of water and its interaction with NPK. Different amounts of water (150, 300 and 400) ml/polyethylene bag and irrigation intervals (two different scales are considered, once per week and once per two weeks) were used in addition to different amounts of NPK (zero (control), 500, 1000 ppm). Multi‐measurements and strategy was utilized for measuring stem length, stem diameter, root length, root diameter, moisture content, stem wet weight, stem dry weight, root wet weight, root dry weight and shoot root ratio. The results showed that bay seedlings had significantly affected by water amount (150ml) as well as water period (once per two weeks). Water deficit is therefore more commonly limiting seedlings growth than NPK through growing season. Therefore, sensitivity of bay seedlings to limitation water has indicated that decreasing in stem length, stem diameter, number of leaves, root diameter, moisture content, stem wet weight, stem dry weight, root wet weight, root dry weight and root shoot ratio (12.56cm, 3.35mm, 17, 3.66mm, 3.67%, 5.42g, 5.59g, 5.96g, 4.99g, 0.05). However, seedlings with three interaction (450ml, once/week and 1000ppm) had displayed significant differences through stem length, number of leaves, root diameter, moisture content, stem wet weight, stem dry weight, and root wet weight, root dry weight and root shoot ratio (28.16cm, 29, 6.57mm, 19.33%, 11.85g, 8.35g, 8.10g, 6.26g, 1.37 respectively). It is concluded that Laurus nobilis seedlings could not success in this area, especially under low water availability.
El presente trabajo es una revisión sobre la actividad biológica de extractos naturales con potencial medicinal o agroindustrial, en el cual se muestra que las especies vegetales del género Láisea distribuidas en Mesoamerica podrían constituir una fuente importante en el desarrollo de potenciales medicamentos y como biocontroladores en el sector agrícola. Las plantas y sus derivados han mostrado diversa c importante actividades biológicas tales como antitumoral, antiviral, antimicrobiana, antiinflamatoria, antioxidante, y en control fitosanitario como insecticida, anti alimentaria, plaguicida y repelente, entre otras. El desarrollo de un producto natural involucra la selección de la especie empleando criterios etnobotánicos o por bioprospccción, los métodos de extracción estudio químico para el aislamiento y elucidación estructural de las moléculas responsables de la actividad y pruebas biológicas realizadas mediante ensayos //? vitro, in vivo, toxicológicos y clínicos. Así mismo, se evidencia la demanda creciente en el uso de los productos naturales, en el cual su desarrollo está determinado por indicadores socio-económicos, tendencia a la protección ambiental y mejoramiento de la calidad de vida mediante una medicina integral. La revisión demuestra que genero Litsea ha demostrado actividad antioxidante, citotóxica. antiinflamatoria, anti microbiana e insecticida.
In the study, it was aimed to determine the constituents of laurel fixed oil obtained from the different genotypes of laurel (Laurus nobilis L.), which is one of the natural plants of the region and which is widely found in the flora of Hatay, by traditional, cold press and soxhlet extraction methods. When the GC/MS analysis results of these obtained oils were examined, the main components of the fixed oils in the traditional method were found as capric acid (2.49%), lauric acid (1.17%), myristic acid (0.16%), palmitic acid (13.69%), stearic acid (2.39%). ), oleic acid(55.01%), linoleic acid (10.56%) and linolenic acid(0.11%). In cold press method, fixed oil components was capric acid (0.24%), lauric acid(9.24%), myristic acid(0.98%), palmitic acid (18.41%), stearic acid (2.84%), oleic acid (38.59%), linoleic acid (23.67%) and linolenic acid (2.19%), while it was determined as capric acid (0.46%), lauric acid (11.16%), myristic acid (1.54%), palmitic acid (18.39%), stearic acid (3.58%), oleic acid (36.92%), linoleic acid (23.02%) and linolenic acid (2.54%) in soxhlet extraction method. As a result, while the components of laurel fixed oil did not change according to the fixed oil extraction methods, the amounts of these components changed. Therefore, it was determined that the method of oil extraction in laurel was important.
The tendency to use herbal and complementary therapies has been increased dramatically in last decades. The aim of this study is reviewing nephrotonic and nephroprotective medicinal herbs in traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) historical books, and assessment of relevant scientific evidence and possible mechanisms of action. In this study, seven major references among pharmaceutical books of PM from the 11th to 19th centuries were selected and were searched with key words equivalent to “nephroprotection”. To find new studies, the scientific name of medicinal herbs which were repeated twice or more were searched using data bases including PubMed, and Google scholar with keywords of nephroprotective, renal disorder, renal failure and kidney. Also, probable effective mechanisms were explored with key words including oxidative stress, antioxidant, inflammation, anti-inflammatory and angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor. 210 herbal remedies were found with kidney strengthening, nephroprotective, and atrophy prevention effects in reviewed books. The most repeated herbs were 41 Results of scientific evidence showed that the possible functional mechanisms of these plants include anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, blood pressure/glucose-lowering effect as well as improvement of glomerular filtration, prevention of tissue damage, and enhancing the reconstructive power of cells. The list of medicinal herbs in this study can be used as a base of future studies on production of new medicines for prevention or treatment of renal failure and for the enhancement of renal performance.
The aim of this study was to establish the potential effect of Laurus nobilis ethanolic extract on improving insulin sensitivity and protecting liver cells from apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress (OS), and inflammation; all of which considered as major alterations occurring during insulin resistance (IR) as well as diabetes onset, in hyperinsulinemic and hyperglycemic-induced HepG2 cell line. Thereby, L. nobilis ethanolic extract has been first chemically characterized using LC-MS/MS technique. Subsequently, HepG2 cells were pre-treated with an optimal concentration of L. nobilis ethanolic extract for 24 h, and then, subjected to 30 mM D-glucose and 500 nM insulin mixture for another 24 h in order to induce hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycaemia (HI/HG) status. Several parameters such as biocompatibility, hepatotoxicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial transmembrane potential, dynamics, and metabolism, multicaspase activity, glucose uptake, in addition to genes and proteins expression levels were investigated. The obtained results showed that the bioactive extract of Laurus nobilis increased the number of living cells and their proliferation rate, significantly attenuated apoptosis by modulating pro-apoptotic pathways (p21, p53 and Bax genes), allowed a relative normalization of caspases-activity, and decreased the expression of inflammatory markers including c-Jun, NF-κB and Tlr4 transcripts. L. Nobilis ethanolic extract reduced considerably total intracellular ROS levels in challenged HepG2 cells, and regulated the mitochondrial OXPHOS pathway, demonstrating the potential antioxidant effect of the plant. Ethanolic plant extract increased insulin sensitivity, since an elevated expression of master transcripts responsible for insulin sensitivity including IRS1, IRS2, INSR was found. Taken together, obtained data suggest that L. nobilis ethanolic extract offers new insights in the development of potential antioxidant, insulin sensitizing as well as hepatoprotective drugs.
Ülkemizin önde gelen uçucu yağ ve aromatik bitkilerinden birisi olan defne (Laurus nobilis L .)’nin ekonomimizdeki yeri oldukça önemlidir. Yaprağından baharat , yağından sabun, parfüm ve vücut losyonu elde edile n defne bitkisi ilaç sanayinde de değerlendirilmektedir. Ayrıca tentür, çay yapımı ve aromaterapi amaçlı olarak da kullanılmaktadır. Antifungal ve antimikrobiyal özellikleri sayesinde gıda koruyucu olarak da değerlendirilen defne bitkisinin ülkemizde yaygın olarak kullanılmaktadır. Mide ve bağırsak gazlarını giderici, iştah açıcı ve idrar söktürücü özellikleri de bulunan bu bitki üzerine yapılan detaylı çalışmalar arttıkça değeri daha çok anlaşılmaktadır. Ancak çok yıllık bir bitki olmasından dolayı ıslah çalışmalarına yeterince zaman ayrılamamıştır. Bu sebeple geliştirilen bir çeşit henüz bulunmamaktadır. Son yıllardaki verilere göre dünya defne pazarının yaklaşık %90’ına hâk im olan ülkemizde bu bitkinin potansiyeli daha iyi değerlendirilmeli ve araştırmacıların yönelimi artırılmalıdır . Bu vesile ile bu derleme, defne bitkisine yönelimin artmasını amaçlama niteliği taşıyarak bazı defne kalite parametrelerini, defne kullanım alanlarını, defne pazarını ve ekonomik değerini içermektedir.
Laurel (Laurus nobilis L.), one of our country's leading essential oil and aromatic plants has very important place in our economy. The laurel plant, which has been producing spices from its leaves, soap, perfume and body lotion from its oil, is also used in the pharmaceutical industry. It is also used for tincture, tea making and aromatherapy. Laurel plant, which is also used as a food preservative thanks to its antifungal and antimicrobial properties, is widely used in our country. However, since it is a perennial plant, it hasn't been enough time for breeding works. For this reason, there is no standard variety developed yet. According to recent data, in our country, which dominates about 90% of the world Laurel market, the potential of this plant should be better evaluated and the orientation of researchers should increase. Hereby, this review contains some laurel quality parameters, bay usage areas, laurel market and economic value, aiming to increase the orientation to the laurel plant.
Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) were phytosynthesized via Laurus nobilis leaf extract which was used as reducing and capping agent. UV‐vis spectroscopy was applied and the spectrum of CuONPs gave a peak around 300 and 325 nm. An intense Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) between 4000–500 cm−1 wavelengths exhibited exterior functional groups of CuONPs. The results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the green synthesized CuONPs were spherical in shape with sizes between 90–250 nm. Antibacterial activity of CuONPs was evaluated against both gram positive and negative bacteria. Brilliant Blue R‐250 was employed in the dye decolorization studies and CuONPs achieved 69% decolorization in 60 min. The antioxidant activity of CuONPs was calculated by analyzing total phenolic compounds and flavonoid content. Furthermore, reducing power of extract and nanoparticles were determined. Total phenolic compounds of CuONPs were determined as 6.7 μg of pyrocatechol equivalent/mg while total flavonoids were measured as 236.62 μg catechin/mg sample. Results indicated that the method of CuONP formation is simple and low‐cost, the phytosynthesized CuONPs had antibacterial, antioxidant and dye decolorization activity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
Objective and Design: To evaluate potential anti-inflammatory properties of tea tree oil, the essential oil steam distilled from the Australian native plant, Melaleuca alternifolia.¶Material and Methods: The ability of tea tree oil to reduce the production in vitro of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, IL-10 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated human peripheral blood monocytes was examined.¶Results: Tea tree oil emulsified by sonication in a glass tube into culture medium containing 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) was toxic for monocytes at a concentration of 0.016% v/v. However, the water soluble components of tea tree oil at concentrations equivalent to 0.125% significantly suppressed LPS-induced production of TNFα, IL-1β and IL-10 (by approximately 50%) and PGE2 (by approximately 30%) after 40 h. Gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry identified terpinen-4-ol (42%), α-terpineol (3%) and 1,8-cineole (2%, respectively, of tea tree oil) as the water soluble components of tea tree oil. When these components were examined individually, only terpinen-4-ol suppressed the production after 40 h of TNFα, IL-1β, IL-8, IL-10 and PGE2 by LPS-activated monocytes.
Conclusion: The water-soluble components of tea tree oil can suppress pro-inflammatory mediator production by activated human monocytes.
A method for assessing pain and analgesia in rats and cats is described. The procedure involves subcutaneous injection of dilute formalin into the forepaw, after which the animal's responses are rated according to objective behavioral criteria. The formalin test is a statistically valid technique which has two advantages over other pain tests: (1) little or no restraint is necessary, permitting unhindered observation of the complete range of behavioral responses; and (2) the pain stimulus is continuous rather than transient, thus bearing greater resemblance to most clinical pain. The analgesic effects of morphine, meperidine, and stimulation of the periaqueductal grey matter are evaluated using this test.
The formalin test for nociception, which is predominantly used with rats and mice, involves moderate, continuous pain generated by injured tissue. In this way it differs from most traditional tests of nociception which rely upon brief stimuli of threshold intensity. In this article we describe the main features of the formalin test, including the characteristics of the stimulus and how changes in nociceptive behaviour may be measured and interpreted. The response to formalin shows an early and a late phase. The early phase seems to be caused predominantly by C-fibre activation due to the peripheral stimulus, while the late phase appears to be dependent on the combination of an inflammatory reaction in the peripheral tissue and functional changes in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. These functional changes seem to be initiated by the C-fibre barrage during the early phase. In mice, the behavioural response in the late phase depends on the ambient temperature. We argue that the peripheral tissue temperature as well as other factors influencing the peripheral inflammation may affect the response, possibly confounding the results obtained with the test. Furthermore, we discuss the methods of recording the response and the value of observing more than one aspect of behaviour. Scoring of several behavioural variables provides a means of assessing motor or sensorimotor function as possible causes for changes in behaviour. In conclusion, the formalin test is a valuable addition to the battery of methods available to study nociception.
The essential oil of Bupleurum fruticosum was investigated qualitatively and quantitatively together with the anti-inflammatory activity of the whole essential oil and its major components. In addition, antispasmodic activity was determined in rat uterus preparations using acetylcholine and oxytocin as agonists. The anti-inflammatory activity shown by the essential oil can be attributed in part to the two major components, alpha-pinene and beta-pinene, although the presence of thymol and carvacrol, minor components capable of potentiating the action of these hydrocarbons, was also confirmed.
The analgesic agent, flupirtine, was tested on motor and sensory responses of the nociceptive system in rats. The motor response was determined in the tail-flick test with radiant heat. The sensory response was determined as activity evoked in ascending axons by electrical stimulation of nociceptive afferents in the sural nerve. The tail-flick latency was dose dependently increased by flupirtine administered by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection (ED50 7.8 mg/kg), intrathecal (i.t.) injection (ED50 14.8 micrograms/rat) or bilateral microinjection into the periaqueductal grey (PAG; ED50 2.6 micrograms/rat). Naloxone reduced the effect of an i.p. injection of flupirtine but was ineffective against an i.t. injection of the drug. The activity in ascending axons responding to afferent C fibre stimulation was depressed by flupirtine administered by intravenous (i.v.) injection (7 mg/kg) under urethane anaesthesia with an intact spinal cord and brain, and by i.t. injection (14 micrograms/rat) to decerebrated spinal rats. Naloxone did not abolish the depressant effect of i.t. injections of flupirtine. Microinjection of flupirtine (1.7 micrograms/rat) made in the PAG did not reduce, but increased the spontaneous and C fibre-evoked activity in ascending axons. The results indicate that flupirtine selectively depresses responses of the nociceptive system by a spinal (motor and sensory responses) and a supraspinal (motor response) action in which opiate-like mechanisms play no or a minor role.
Nine newly synthesized eugenol derivatives were investigated in rats or mice as to their anesthetic, hypothermic, myorelaxant and anticonvulsant effects. Additional pharmacological activity which appeared during the experiments is described. For comparative purposes, six naturally occurring eugenol analogues were included in the study. The results are further discussed as to possible structure-activity relationships between the test compounds and the four investigated effects.
The essential oil of Bupleurum fruticescens was investigated qualitatively and quantitatively by GC and GC-MS analyses. The anti-inflammatory activity of the whole essential oil and its major components was also investigated in the rat hindpaw edema model induced by carrageenin or by PGE1. The anti-inflammatory activity shown by the essential oil can be attributed to the two major components, alpha-pinene and beta-caryophyllene. In order to know the role of the adrenal glands in the anti-inflammatory activity exerted by the two major components of the essential oil, they were studied against the carrageenin-induced hindpaw edema in adrenolectomized rats. It is concluded that alpha-pinene needs the integrity of the adrenal glands to exert its anti-inflammatory activity, as opposed to beta-caryophyllene which was also active in adrenolectomized animals.
Ocular inflammation was induced by injection of crystallins (lens protein) intracamerally and endotoxin intravitreously into rabbit and rat eyes, respectively, and was measured with fluorophotometry by quantitating the amount of fluorescein which entered into the globe. Five compounds isolated from anti-inflammatory Chinese herbs were studied for their effects on ocular inflammation. It was found that lens protein-induced inflammation was inhibited significantly by the topical instillation of pulegone (0.5%), friedelin (0.5%), and sabinene (1%), but not by dihydrojasmon or naringin at concentrations up to 1%. However, none of these compounds inhibited endotoxin-induced posterior uveitis.
REFERENCES Carlisson KH, Jurna I. 1987. Depression by flupirtine, a novel analgesic agent of motor and sensory response of nocicept-ive system in the rat spinal cord
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Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Phytother. Res. 17, 733 –736 (2003) REFERENCES Carlisson KH, Jurna I. 1987. Depression by flupirtine, a novel analgesic agent of motor and sensory response of nocicept-ive system in the rat spinal cord. Eur J Pharmacol 143 : 89–99.