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Melissa officinalis L.

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Pablo Saz Peiro at University of Zaragoza
Pablo Saz Peiro
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Abstract

Herbaceous perennial up to 1 m, well branched. Recommended for use in appetite, gastritis and enteritis, flatulence, gastrointestinal spasms and nausea. Hyperemesis gravidarum and dysmenorrhea. Biliary dyskinesia and cholelithiasis. Antidiabetic. Viral and bacterial infections. Antimicrobial. Herpes simplex type I and type 2. Anxiety, insomnia, hypertension, asthma and tachycardia. Neurovegetative dystonia. Topically halitosis, headaches, injuries and neuralgia. Liver failure.
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41
MEDICINA NATURISTA, 2011; Vol. 5 - N.º 1: 36-38
I.S.S.N.: 1576-3080
36
L
Pablo Saz Peiró, Juan José Gálvez Galve, María Ortiz Lucas, Shila Saz Tejero
RESuMEN:
Planta herbácea vivaz de hasta 1 m, bastante ramificada. Se recomienda su uso en inape-
tencia, gastritis y enteritis, meteorismo, espasmos gastrointestinales y nauseas. Hiperemesis
gravídica y dismenorrea. Disquinesias biliares y colelitiasis. Antidiabética. Infecciones víricas
y bacterianas. Antimicrobiana. Herpes simple tipo I y tipo 2. Ansiedad, insomnio, hipertensión,
asma y taquicardias. Distonías neurovegetativas. Tópicamente en halitosis, migrañas, heridas
y neuralgias. Insuficiencia hepática.
Pabalabras clave: Melissa officinalis, herpes, antimicrobial, anxiety, antiviral.
ABSTRACT:
Herbaceous perennial up to 1 m, well branched. Recommended for use in appetite, gastritis
and enteritis, flatulence, gastrointestinal spasms and nausea. Hyperemesis gravidarum and
dysmenorrhea. Biliary dyskinesia and cholelithiasis. Antidiabetic. Viral and bacterial infections.
Antimicrobial. Herpes simplex type I and type 2. Anxiety, insomnia, hypertension, asthma and
tachycardia. Neurovegetative dystonia. Topically halitosis, headaches, injuries and neuralgia.
Liver failure.
Key words: Melissa officinalis, herpes, antimicrobial, anxiety, antiviral.
MELISA – TORONJIL
F: Mélisse D: Melisse GB: Balm I: Melissa
Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiáceas)
DESCRIPCIÓN
Planta herbácea vivaz de hasta 1 m, bastante
ramificada. Hojas pecioladas, opuestas, ovales, ru-
gosas y de borde festoneado. Flores blanco-rosadas
reunidas en verticilastros axilares con 3-6 flores.
Fruto en tetraquenio. Esta planta huele agradable-
mente con aroma que recuerda al del limón. Florece
en primavera y verano, desde el mes de mayo en
adelante.
HISTORIA
Dioscórides recomienda las hojas de melisa
bebidas con vino, y aplicadas en forma de emplasto
contra las mordeduras de alacranes, perros rabiosos y
de falangios, para provocar la menstruación y aliviar la
odontalgia con enjuagues. Sus hojas bebidas con vino
y nitro calman los dolores gástricos de tipo cólico y
aplicadas con sal purifican las llagas. Los médicos ára-
bes la consideraban muy útil en cardiopatías, calman-
do las palpitaciones, y mejorando el ánimo. La melisa
a formado parte tradicionalmente de la preparación del
agua del Carmen, utilizada por los monjes carmelitas
para problemas nerviosos y digestivos (1).
DISTRIBUCIÓN Y ECOLOgíA
Euroasiática y norteafricana, en zonas húmedas y
umbrosas nitrificadas. Cultivada y naturalizada.
PARTE UTILIzADA
Hojas y sumidad florida.
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MEDICINA NATURISTA, 2011; Vol. 5 - N.º 1: 36-38
P SAZ PEIRÓ, J J GÁLVEZ GALVE, M ORTIZ LUCAS, S SAZ TEJERO. Melissa officinalis L.
37
PRINCIPIOS ACTIvOS
• Compuestos oxigenados: monoterperoles (li-
nalol, nerol, geraniol, citronelol, α-terpineol,
terpineno- 1-ol-4).
• Sesquiterpenoles: 10-epi-α-cadinol, cariofile-
nol, farnesol.
• Óxidos terpénicos: 1-8 cineol, óxido de cariofi-
leno.
• Ésteres terpénicos. Acetatos de geranilo, nerilo
y citronelilo.
• Monoterpenales (citrales): neral (15 59, gera-
nial (15 5).
• Sesquiterpenos: α-cubebeno, α-copaeno,
α-humuleno, β-burbuneno, β- cariofileno, ger-
macraneno D.
• Monoterpenos: cis y trans-ocimenos.
Flavonoides: luteolol 7- glucósido, ramnocitró-
sido y quercitrósido.
Ácidos fenil-carboxílicos: caféico, clorogénico,
rosmarínico y ferúlico.
Triterpenoides: ácido ursólico.
ACCIÓN fARMACOLÓgICA (2)
– Antiespasmódico de las vías digestivas (citro-
nelal).
– Hidrocolerético (aceite esencial).
– Sedante, ligeramente hipnótico (aceite esen-
cial).
– Antiviral y antibacteriano (ácidos fenilcarboxíli-
cos).
– Carminativo (aceite esencial).
– Emenagogo.
– Analgésico local.
– Antioxidante (ácidos fenólicos, especialmente
el rsmarínico).
– Cicatrizante
INDICACIONES
Inapetencia, gastritis y enteritis, meteorismo, es-
pasmos gastrointestinales (3) y nauseas. Hiperemesis
gravídica y dismenorrea. Disquinesias biliares y coleli-
tiasis. Antidiabética (4). Infecciones víricas y bacteria-
nas (5). Antimicrobiana (6). Herpes simple tipo I (7) y
tipo 2 (8, 9). Ansiedad (10, 11), insomnio, hipertensión,
asma y taquicardias. Distonías neurovegetativas. Tó-
picamente en halitosis, migrañas, heridas y neuralgias.
Insuficiencia hepática (12).
CONTRAINDICACIONES
Embarazo, lactancia (aceite esencial), hipotiroidis-
mo (extractos).
fORMAS DE DOSIfICACIÓN (13)
Uso interno
– Infusión al 5%, una cucharada de postre por
taza, infundir 10 min., tres o más tazas al día.
– Extracto fluido incoloro de melisa: 30-60 gotas,
3 veces al día.
– Agua de melisa (o “Agua del Carmen”): 5-10 cc,
una a tres veces al día.
– Extracto seco (5:1): 500 mg, tres veces al día
(1 g equivale a 5 g de planta seca).
– Esencia: II-IV gotas/dosis, dos-tres veces al
día, como hidrocolerético.
Uso externo
– Alcohol compuesto de melisa. En forma de fric-
ciones.
– Infusión: en forma de baños calientes como
relajante y antidismenorréico.
– Compresas de planta fresca: contra equimosis,
ingurgitación mamaria.
– Jugo de planta fresca: para paliar los síntomas
de picaduras de insectos.
TOxICIDAD
El aceite esencial a altas dosis es neurotóxico y
teratógeno. El efecto sedante es precedido frecuente-
mente por un corto periodo de excitación. La ingesta
de 2 g de esencia puede provocar somnolencia, bra-
dicardia, bradipnea e hipotensión (14).
BIBLIOgRAfíA
1. Font Quer. Plantas medicinales. Ed. Labor. Bar-
celona, 1980.
2. Durafford C. Cuadernos de fitoterapia clínica.
Ed. Masson.
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MEDICINA NATURISTA, 2011; Vol. 5 - N.º 1: 36-38
P SAZ PEIRÓ, J J GÁLVEZ GALVE, M ORTIZ LUCAS, S SAZ TEJERO. Melissa officinalis L.
38
3. Sadraei H, Ghannadi A, Malekshahi K. Relaxant
effect of essential oil of Melissa officinalis and citral on rat
ileum contractions. Fitoterapia. 2003 Jul; 74 (5): 445-52.
4. Chung MJ, Cho SY, Bhuiyan MJ, Kim KH, Lee
SJ. Anti-diabetic effects of lemon balm (Melissa offi-
cinalis) essential oil on glucose- and lipid-regulating
enzymes in type 2 diabetic mice. Br J Nutr. 2010 Jul;
104 (2): 180-8. Epub 2010 May 21.
5. Canadanovic´-Brunet J, Cetkovic´ G, Djilas
S, Tumbas V, Bogdanovic´ G, Mandic´ A, Markov S,
Cvetkovic´ D, Canadanovic´ V. Radical scavenging,
antibacterial, and antiproliferative activities of Melissa
officinalis L. extracts. J Med Food. 2008 Mar; 11 (1):
133-43.
6. Mimica-Dukic N, Bozin B, Sokovic M, Simin N.
Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Melissa offici-
nalis L. (Lamiaceae) essential oil. J Agric Food Chem.
2004 May 5; 52 (9): 2485-9.
7. Nolkemper S, Reichling J, Stintzing FC, Carle R,
Schnitzler P. Antiviral effect of aqueous extracts from
species of the Lamiaceae family against Herpes sim-
plex virus type 1 and type 2 in vitro. Planta Med. 2006
Dec; 72 (15): 1378-82. Epub 2006 Nov 7.
8. Mazzanti G, Battinelli L, Pompeo C, Serrilli AM,
Rossi R, Sauzullo I, Mengoni F, Vullo V. Inhibitory ac-
tivity of Melissa officinalis L. extract on Herpes simplex
virus type 2 replication. Nat Prod Res. 2008; 22 (16):
1433-40.
9. Allahverdiyev A, Duran N, Ozguven M, Koltas S.
Antiviral activity of the volatile oils of Melissa officinalis
L. against Herpes simplex virus type-2. Phytomedicine.
2004 Nov; 11 (7-8): 657-61.
10. Ibarra A, Feuillere N, Roller M, Lesburgere
E, Beracochea D. Effects of chronic administration of
Melissa officinalis L. extract on anxiety-like reactivity
and on circadian and exploratory activities in mice.
Phytomedicine. 2010 May; 17 (6): 397-403.
11. Kennedy DO, Little W, Haskell CF, Scholey AB.
Anxiolytic effects of a combination of Melissa officina-
lis and Valeriana officinalis during laboratory induced
stress. Phytother Res. 2006 Feb; 20 (2): 96-102.
12. Akhondzadeh S, Noroozian M, Mohammadi M,
Ohadinia S, Jamshidi AH, Khani M. Melissa officinalis
extract in the treatment of patients with mild to mode-
rate Alzheimer’s disease: a double blind, randomised,
placebo controlled trial. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry.
2003 Jul; 74 (7): 863-6.
13. Arteche A, Vanaclocha B, Güenechea JI. Fito-
terapia 3.ª ed. Vademécum de prescripción. Plantas
medicinales. Ed. Masson Barcelona, 1998.
14. Peris, JB, Stübing G, Vanaclocha B. Fitotera-
pia aplicada. Ed. MICOF, Valencia, 1995.
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Article
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New treatments were presented for management of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in the recent years. However, they were not fully successful. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of Salvia officinalis extract in AD at 4 months using fixed dose of the extract. A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial in three centers in Iran was the structure of this study. Patients with mild to moderate AD (n=36, 10 women) with a score of ≤ 12 on the cognitive subscale of Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment (ADAS-cog) and ≤ 2 on Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) were randomized to placebo or fixed dose of Salvia officinalis extract. Over 16 weeks, the primary outcome measure was the change in ADAS-cog score. Change in CDR (sum of the boxes) was the secondary outcome over the trial. At 4 months, Salvia extract produced a significant better outcome on cognitive function and CDR total score than placebo (ADAS-cog: d.f.: 1 f = 4.77, P = 0.037) (CDR: d.f.: 1, F=10.84, P
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Anti-diabetic effects of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) essential oil on glucose- and lipid-regulating enzymes in type 2 diabetic mice
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The antioxidant activity of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) essential oil (LBEO) on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and its hypoglycaemic effect in db/db mice were investigated. LBEO scavenged 97 % of DPPH radicals at a 270-fold dilution. Mice administered LBEO (0.015 mg/d) for 6 weeks showed significantly reduced blood glucose (65 %; P < 0.05) and TAG concentrations, improved glucose tolerance, as assessed by an oral glucose tolerance test, and significantly higher serum insulin levels, compared with the control group. The hypoglycaemic mechanism of LBEO was further explored via gene and protein expression analyses using RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Among all glucose metabolism-related genes studied, hepatic glucokinase and GLUT4, as well as adipocyte GLUT4, PPAR-gamma, PPAR-alpha and SREBP-1c expression, were significantly up-regulated, whereas glucose-6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase expression was down-regulated in the livers of the LBEO group. The results further suggest that LBEO administered at low concentrations is an efficient hypoglycaemic agent, probably due to enhanced glucose uptake and metabolism in the liver and adipose tissue and the inhibition of gluconeogenesis in the liver.
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Inhibitory activity of Melissa officinalis L. extract on Herpes simplex virus type 2 replication
Article
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  • Feb 2008
Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) (lemon balm) is used in folk medicine for nervous complaints, lower abdominal disorders and, more recently, for treating Herpes simplex lesions. In this work the antiviral activity of a hydroalcoholic extract of lemon balm leaves against the Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) was assessed by the cytopathic effect inhibition assay on Vero cells (ATCC CCL-81), in comparison with acyclovir. The cytotoxicity of the extract on Vero cells was previously tested by evaluating the cellular death and was confirmed by the Trypan blue test. Lemon balm showed to reduce the cytopathic effect of HSV-2 on Vero cells, in the range of non-toxic concentrations of 0.025-1 mg mL(-1) (with reference to the starting crude herbal material). The maximum inhibiting effect (60%) was obtained with 0.5 mg mL(-1). The viral binding assay showed that the extract does not prevent the entry of HSV-2 in the cells, thus suggesting a mechanism of action subsequent to the penetration of the virus in the cell. The extract was also chemically characterised by NMR and HPLC analysis; it showed to contain cinnamic acid-like compounds, mainly rosmarinic acid (4.1% w/w). Our experiments support the use of lemon balm for treating Herpes simplex lesions and encourage clinical trials on this medicinal plant.
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Melissa officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: A double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial
Article
Full-text available
  • Jul 2003
To assess the efficacy and safety of Melissa officinalis extract using a fixed dose (60 drops/day) in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. A four month, parallel group, placebo controlled trial undertaken in three centres in Tehran, Iran. Patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease aged between 65 and 80 years (n = 42; 18 women, 24 men) with a score of >or= 12 on the cognitive subscale of Alzheimer's disease assessment scale (ADAS-cog) and <or= 2 on the clinical dementia rating (CDR) were randomised to placebo or fixed dose of Melissa officinalis extract. The main efficacy measures were the change in the ADAS-cog and CDR-SB scores compared with baseline. Side effects were systematically recorded. At four months, Melissa officinalis extract produced a significantly better outcome on cognitive function than placebo (ADAS-cog: df = 1, F = 6.93, p = 0.01; CDR: df = 1, F = 16.87, p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in the two groups in terms of observed side effects except agitation, which was more common in the placebo group (p = 0.03). Melissa officinalis extract is of value in the management of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease and has a positive effect on agitation in such patients.
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Antiviral activity of the volatile oils of Melissa officinalis L. against Herpes simplex virus type-2
Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 2004
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Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) has been used in a variety of practical applications in medical science. Our objective in the current study was to determine the effects of the volatile oil components of M. officinalis on Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) replication in HEp-2 cells. Four different concentrations (25, 50, 100, 150 and 200 microg/ml) of volatile oils were examined. Experiments were carried out using HEp-2 cells. M. officinalis volatile oil was found to be non-toxic to HEp-2 cells up to a concentration of 100 micro/ml. It was, however, found to be slightly toxic at a concentration over of 100 microg/ml. The antiviral activity of non-toxic concentrations against HSV-2 was tested. The replication of HSV-2 was inhibited, indicating that the M. officinalis L. extract contains an anti-HSV-2 substance.
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Effects of chronic administration of Melissa officinalis L. extract on anxiety-like reactivity and on circadian and exploratory activities in mice
Article
  • Feb 2010
This study aimed to determine the effects of chronic (15 consecutive days of treatment) per os administration of Melissa officinalis L. extract (Cyracos, Naturex) on anxiety-like reactivity in mice. As measured by HPLC, Cyracos contains significant amounts of rosmarinic acid and the triterpenoids oleanolic acid and ursolic acid, which inhibit gamma-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T) activity and increase GABA levels in the brain (Awad et al., 2007; Awad et al., 2009). Thus, we evaluated Cyracos use in independent groups of C57BL/6 mice with regard to anxiety-like reactivity in an elevated plus maze and an open field task. We found that Cyracos significantly reduced anxiety-like reactivity in the elevated plus maze dose-dependently, but no significant effect was observed in the open field task. Parallel experiments in independent groups of mice showed that the Cyracosdose at which it exerted anxiolytic-like effects in the elevated plus maze did not alter exploratory or circadian activities. Therefore, our results demonstrate that Cyracos has anxiolytic-like effects under moderate stress conditions and does not alter activity levels.
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Relaxant effect of essential oil of Melissa officinalis and citral on rat ileum contraction
Article
  • Aug 2003
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Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) Essential Oil
Article
  • Jun 2004
The present study describes antimicrobial and free radical scavenging capacity (RSC) together with the effects on lipid peroxidation (LP) of Melissa officinalis essential oil. The chemical profile of essential oil was evaluated by the means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC). RSC was assessed measuring the scavenging activity of essential oil on the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH(*)) and OH(*) radicals. The effect on LP was evaluated following the activities on Fe(2+)/ascorbate and Fe(2+)/H(2)O(2) systems of induction. The antimicrobial activity was tested against 13 bacterial strains and six fungi. The examined essential oil exhibited very strong RSC, reducing the DPPH radical formation (IC(50) = 7.58 microg/mL) and OH radical generation (IC(50) = 1.74 microg/mL) in a dose-dependent manner. According to the GC-MS and TLC (dot-blot techniques), the most powerful scavenging compounds were monoterpene aldehydes and ketones (neral/geranial, citronellal, isomenthone, and menthone) and mono- and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (E-caryophyllene). Very strong inhibition of LP, particularly in the Fe(2+)/H(2)O(2) system of induction (94.59% for 2.13 microg/mL), was observed in both cases, also in a dose-dependent manner. The most effective antibacterial activity was expressed on a multiresistant strain of Shigella sonei. A significant rate of antifungal activity was exhibited on Trichophyton species.
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Anxiolytic effects of a combination ofMelissa ofcinalis andValeriana ofcinalis during laboratory induced stress
Article
  • Feb 2006
Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) and Valeriana officinalis (valerian) have been used both traditionally and contemporaneously as mild sedatives, anxiolytics and hypnotics. Recent research has suggested that both may attenuate laboratory induced stress. As the two herbs are most often sold in combination with each other the current study assessed the anxiolytic properties of such a combination during laboratory-induced stress. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, balanced cross-over experiment, 24 healthy volunteers received three separate single doses (600 mg, 1200 mg, 1800 mg) of a standardized product containing M. officinalis and V. officinalis extracts, plus a placebo, on separate days separated by a 7 day wash out period. Modulation of mood and anxiety were assessed during pre-dose and 1 h, 3 h and 6 h post-dose completions of a 20 min version of the Defined Intensity Stressor Simulation (DISS) battery. Cognitive performance on the four concurrent tasks of the battery was also assessed. The results showed that the 600 mg dose of the combination ameliorated the negative effects of the DISS on ratings of anxiety. However, the highest dose (1800 mg) showed an increase in anxiety that was less marked but which reached significance during one testing session. In addition, all three doses led to decrements in performance on the Stroop task module within the battery, and the two lower doses led to decrements on the overall score generated on the DISS battery. These results suggest that a combination of Melissa officinalis and Valeriana officinalis possesses anxiolytic properties that deserve further investigation.
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Antiviral Effect of Aqueous Extracts from Species of the Lamiaceae Family against Herpes simplex Virus Type 1 and Type 2 in vitro
Article
  • Jan 2007
Aqueous extracts from species of the Lamiaceae family were examined for their antiviral activity against Herpes simplex virus (HSV). Extracts from lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), peppermint (Mentha x piperita), prunella (Prunella vulgaris), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), sage (Salvia officinalis) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) were screened. Their inhibitory activity against Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), type 2 (HSV-2) and an acyclovir-resistant strain of HSV-1 (ACV (res)) was tested in vitro on RC-37 cells in a plaque reduction assay. The 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC (50)) of the extracts for HSV plaque formation were determined in dose-response studies. All test compounds showed a high antiviral activity against HSV-1, HSV-2 and ACV (res). In order to identify the mode of antiviral action, the extracts were added to the cells or viruses at different stages of infection. Both types of Herpes virus including ACV (res) were considerably neutralized after treatment with the extracts prior to infection. At maximum non-cytotoxic concentrations of the extracts, plaque formation was significantly reduced by > 90% for HSV-1 and HSV-2 and > 85% for ACV (res). In time-response studies over a period of 2 hours, a clearly time-dependent activity was demonstrated. These results indicate that the extracts affect HSV before adsorption, but have no effect on the intracellular virus replication. Therefore, the extracts exert their antiviral effect on free HSV and offer a chance to use them for topical therapeutic application against recurrent HERPES infections.
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