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Antinociceptive activity of alpha-pinene and fenchone

January 2008
Pharmacologyonline 3

Authors:

Aydin Him

Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University

Hanefi Özbek

Istanbul Medipol University

Ahmet Cihat Öner

Van Yuzuncu Yil University

We aimed to investigate antinociceptive activities of some components of Foeniculum vulgare Mill., commonly known as fennel. In this study, alpha-pinene, limonene, fenchone, trans-anethol and alpha-copaene were investigated for analgesic effects in mice using tail-flick tests which is commonly employed as a pain model. The drugs were injected intraperitoneally in doses of 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 ml.kg -1 . Alpha-pinene and fenchone caused significant reduction in the nociceptive threshold in the tail-flick test. The other compounds tested did not show significant analgesic effects. The motor coordination of mice treated with alpha-pinene or fenchone, evaluated by using the "rotarod" test, was not impaired. The results obtained in the present study indicate that alpha pinene and fenchone, major constituents of Foeniculum vulgare essential oil, have antinociceptive activity in tail-flick test in mice.

Effects of alpha-pinene (AP), fenchone (F), trans-anethol(A), limonen (L) and alpha-copaen (AC) at the doses of 0.05 (I), 0.1 (II) and 0.2 (III) ml/kg, i.p. on tail-flick latency in mice. M, morphine 10 mg.kg-1 , s.c. Significance in comparison with baseline latency: *p<0.05, repeated measures of ANOVA.

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. Effects of alpha-pinene and fenchone on rotarod test in mice (n=5).

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Pharmacologyonline 3: 363-369 (2008) Him et al.

363

ANTINOCICEPTIVE ACTIVITY OF ALPHA-PINENE AND FENCHONE

Aydin Him1*, Hanefi Ozbek2, Idris Turel3, Ahmet Cihat Oner3

1 Yüzüncü Yil University, Medical School, Department of Physiology, Van-Turkey

2 Yüzüncü Yil University, Medical School, Department of Pharmacology, Van-Turkey

3 Yüzüncü Yil University, Veterinary School, Department of Pharmacology, Van-Turkey

Summary

We aimed to investigate antinociceptive activities of some components of

Foeniculum vulgare Mill., commonly known as fennel. In this study,

alpha-pinene, limonene, fenchone, trans-anethol and alpha-copaene were

investigated for analgesic effects in mice using tail-flick tests which is

commonly employed as a pain model. The drugs were injected

intraperitoneally in doses of 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 ml.kg-1. Alpha-pinene and

fenchone caused significant reduction in the nociceptive threshold in the

tail-flick test. The other compounds tested did not show significant

analgesic effects. The motor coordination of mice treated with alpha-

pinene or fenchone, evaluated by using the “rotarod” test, was not

impaired. The results obtained in the present study indicate that alpha

pinene and fenchone, major constituents of Foeniculum vulgare essential

oil, have antinociceptive activity in tail-flick test in mice.

Key Words: Foeniculum vulgare, alpha-pinene, fenchone, antinociception,

tail-flick test, rotarod test.

*Corresponding author: ahim@yyu.edu.tr, Fax: +90 432 2167519

Introduction

Foeniculum vulgare Mill., (commonly known as fennel) a member of

Umbelliferae, is an annual, biennial or perennial aromatic herb, depending on the variety,

which has been known since antiquity in Europe and Asia Minor. The dried, aromatic

fruits are widely employed in culinary preparations for flavoring bread and pastry, in

candies and in alcoholic liqueurs of French type, as well as in cosmetic and medicinal

preparations (1, 2).

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Fennel and its herbal drug preparations are used in public medicine for dyspeptic

complaints such as mild, spasmodic gastric-intestinal complaints, bloating and flatulence

(3-5), for pediatric colic and some respiratory disorders due to its anti-spasmodic effects

(6). There has been many studies showing that different extracts of Foeniculum vulgare

seeds have diuretic (7), antifungal (8, 9), antioxidant (10, 11), hepatoprotective (12), anti-

inflammatory (13) effects. Essential oil of Foeniculum vulgare has recently been shown

to have antinociceptive effects (13, 14). Trans-anethole and fenchone are the most

important volatile components of the Foeniculum vulgare essential oil. The trans-anethol

content reaches 84-90% in sweet fennel oil, whereas fenchone can be as high as 20% in

bitter fennel oil (15). Chromotograhic analysis showed that fennel seeds also have

methylchavicol, limonene, alpha-pinene, camphene, beta-pinene, beta-myrcene, alpha-

copaen, alpha-phellandrene, 3-carene, camphor, cis-anethole (16-18). To find out which

one of these components are responsible for antinociceptive activity of Foeniculum

vulgare we tested some of the ingrediens, namely alpha-pinene, limonene, fenchone,

trans-anethol and alpha-copaen, in tail-flick test, a commonly used pain model in mice.

Many of these components were reported to have various activities such as anti-

inflammatory (19, 20), antimicrobial (21-23), antioxidant (24), anticarcinogen (25, 26).

From all these constituents only limonene was shown to have analgesic activity shown in

chemical nociception induced by intraperitoneal acetic-acid and in subplantar formalin

test, but did not manifest a significant effect in hot-plate test (27). Orhan et al. (19) did

not find an analgesic effect with alpha-pinene in p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal

contractions in mice, but found a mild anti-inflammatory effect. The other compounds of

Foeniculum vulgare essential oil have not been tested for analgesia yet.

In this study, alpha-pinene, limonene, fenchone, trans-anethol and alpha-copaen

were investigated for their antinociceptive effects using tail-flick tests which is

commonly employed as a pain model in mice.

Methods

Chemicals: (+)-Alpha-pinene, (+)-limonene, (-)-fenchone, trans-anethol and

alpha-copaen were all in liquid form and each was used at the doses of 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2

ml.kg-1, i.p. for tail-flick test. Alpha-pinene and fenchone were used at the dose of 0.2

ml.kg-1, i.p. for rotarod test. Alpha-copaen was purchased from Fluka (Switzerland) and

the others from Sigma-Aldrich (Steinheim,Germany). Morphine (10 mg.kg-1), given

subcutaneously, was used as a standard for comparison and obtained from Galen

(Istanbul, Turkey).

Animals: The protocol for the study was approved by the Ethical Committee of

Yuzuncu Yil University, Faculty of Medicine. Adult Balb/C mice (30 - 40 g, male) were

obtained from Animal House of the Faculty of Medicine. Each experimental group

included 5 animals and housed in a separate cage (48 x 35 x 22 cm) and kept at room

temperature (20 ± 2 0C), with natural dark-light cycle and provided with pelleted food

(Van Animal Feed Factory-Turkey) and water ad libitum.

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Tail-flick test: Nociceptive response was assessed with a tail-flick apparatus (LSI

Letica LE 7106, Spain) using a method initially described by D’Amour and Smith (28).

The animals were gently immobilized by using a glove, and the radiant heat was focused

on a blackened spot 1-2 cm from the tip of the tail. Mice responded to the focused heat

stimulus by flicking or moving their tail from the path of the stimulus. The reaction time

was automatically recorded. Beam intensity was adjusted to give a tail-flick latency of 7-

8 sec in control animals. Measuring was terminated if the latency exceeded the end of

time (20 sec) to avoid tissue damage. In all experiments nociceptive threshold was

measured twice for each animal before the drug administration to find the base line

latency, and 30, 90 and 150 min after the drug administration.

Rotarod test: Motor coordination of the mice were evaluated by using a rotarod

apparatus (Degisim, Turkey) consisting of a bar with a diameter of 5.6 cm, subdivided

into five compartments by a disc 19 cm in diameter. The bar rotated at a constant speed

of 8 rpm. The motor coordination was assessed on the basis of the endurance time of the

animals on the rotating rod. The day before the test, the animals were trained twice. On

the day of the test only the mice able to stay balanced on the rotating rod between 60 and

120 sec (cut-of time) were selected. The performance time was measured before and 30,

90 and 150 min after drug treatment. The test was conducted between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Statistical analysis: The results were expressed as mean ± standard error of the

mean (S.E.M.). In tail-flick and rotarod tests the values after the drug administration were

compared with those of the baseline latency values using repeated measures of ANOVA.

To compare the analgesic effects of the drugs with those of morphine the analysis of

variance (One-way ANOVA) with post-hoc Tukey’s procedure for multiple comparisons

was used. P values of less then 0.05 were considered significant.

Results

The results of the nociceptive threshold of tail-flick test of alpha-pinene, limonene,

fenchone, trans-anethol and alpha-copaen are presented in Figure 1. In the control group,

injected with physiological saline, there was no change in the nociceptive threshold 30,

90 and 150 min after the injection (9.72 ± 0.52, 8.40 ± 0.39, 9.56 ± 0.17 s, respectively)

compared to the baseline latency measured before the injection (8.06 ± 0.15 s). Alpha-

pinene produced significant analgesic effects at 0.05 ml.kg-1 (11.56 ± 0.61, 10.48 ± 0.39,

11.32 ±0.37 vs. 7.96 ± 0.34 s), at 0.1 ml.kg-1 (10.20 ± 0.96, 9.36 ± 0.38, 10.48 ± 0.42 vs.

6.96 ± 0.15 s), and at 0.2 ml.kg-1 doses (11.02 ± 0.58, 9.62 ± 0.60, 13.50 ± 0.62 vs. 7.40 ±

0.36 s). Fenchone produced significant analgesic effects at 0.05 ml.kg-1 (9.90 ± 0.42, 9.76

± 0.33, 9.98 ± 0.50 vs. 7.22 ± 0.34 s), at 0.1 ml.kg-1 (10.76 ± 0.84, 8.94 ± 0.48, 11.16 ±

0.36 vs. 7.06 ± 0.27 s), and at 0.2 ml.kg-1 doses (10.74 ± 0.17, 8.76 ± 0.42, 10.44 ± 0.67

vs. 7.56 ± 0.34s). Analgesic effects of both alpha-pinene and fenchone lasted as long as

150 minute after the drug administration. Morphine significantly increased the pain

threshold 30 and 90 min but not 150 min after the drug administration (15.69 ± 1.26,

18.08 ± 0.71, 11.00 ± 1.10 vs. 10.43 ± 0.51 s).

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The analgesic effects of both alpha-pinene and fenchone were significantly less

strong compared to that of morphine at 30 and 90 min after drug administration.

Although the effect of morphine disappeared 150 min after the injection alpha-pinene and

fenchone were still effective at this time point.

The motor coordination of mice treated with alpha-pinene or fenchone was not

impaired 30, 90 and 150 min after the drug administration compared with that of the

baseline latency (Table 1).

Experimental Groups

Control AP-I AP-II AP-III F-I F-II F-III A-I A-II A-III L-I L-II L-III AC-I AC-II AC-III M

Time (sec)

20 Baseline

30 min

90 min

150 min

***

* *

***

* * * *

Figure 1. Effects of alpha-pinene (AP), fenchone (F), trans-anethol(A), limonen (L) and

alpha-copaen (AC) at the doses of 0.05 (I), 0.1 (II) and 0.2 (III) ml/kg, i.p. on tail-flick

latency in mice. M, morphine 10 mg.kg-1, s.c. Significance in comparison with baseline

latency: *p<0.05, repeated measures of ANOVA.

Discussion

In the present study we investigated antinociceptive effects of the major

constituents of Foeniculum vulgare in tail-flick test, a commonly used pain model in

mice. Out of 5 constituents tested, namely alpha-pinene, limonene, fenchone, trans-

anethol and alpha-copaen, only alpha-pinene and fenchone showed a significant analgesic

activity.

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Table 1. Effects of alpha-pinene and fenchone on rotarod test in mice (n=5).

Treatment Time

(min) Endurance time on

rotarod (s)(mean ± SEM)

0 120 ± 0

30 120 ± 0

90 103 ± 17

Control (physiologic saline)

150 120 ± 0

0 120 ± 0

30 120 ± 0

90 118 ± 2

Alpha-pinene

150 120 ± 0

0 120 ± 0

30 120 ± 0

90 120 ± 0

Fenchone

150 119.4 ± 0.6

0 120 ± 0

30 57.8 ± 16.7 *

90 104.5 ± 15.5

Morphine

150 120 ± 0

*p<0.05, repeated measures of ANOVA.

Although antinociceptive effect of neither alpha-pinene nor fenchone was as

strong as that of morphine their effects lasted 150 min while the effect of morphine did

not last as long. The compounds causing locomotor disruption or having sedative effects

may cause a false positive result in some tests measuring analgesia (29). Therefore we

have also tested the highest analgesic doses of alpha-pinene and fenchone for their effect

on motor coordination by rotarod test. In this study neither alpha-pinene nor fenchone

caused motor incoordination at the maximal doses used. Thus the analgesic effect of

alpha-pinene and fenchone is not likely to be through its effect on locomotor function or

its sedative effect. Although the present study found an analgesic effects with alpha-

pinene Orhan et al. (19) did not find so in p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal

contractions in mice, but found a mild anti-inflammatory effect. The discrepancy between

these two studies could be due to different pain models employed. Fenchone has not been

studied for analgesia before and reported to have analgesic effect here first time.

Limonene, which did not change pain threshold in tail-flick test in the current study, was

shown to cause a significant inhibition on chemical nociception induced by

intraperitoneal acetic-acid and in subplantar formalin test, both of which are

inflammatory pain models (27). However the researchers did not find an antinociceptive

effect with the same compound in hot-plate test model of pain, which uses a thermal

stimulation like in tail-flick test. As seen from these studies a compound effective in one

pain model may not exert similar effect in a different pain model, which could be related

to the different mechanisms relaying the pain sensation and the different site of action of

the chemicals.

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Among the major compounds of Foeniculum vulgare essential oil screened herein,

only alpha-pinene and fenchone exhibited antinociceptive activity in tail-flick model of

pain in mice without inducing motor incoordination.

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Jun 2024

This study focuses on six Eucalyptus species, namely E. badjensis, E. benthamii, E. dunnii, E. grandis, E. globulus, and E. saligna aiming at a sustainable use of their green biomass. These species were grown at the same location and stage of development. Leaf essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus during the four seasons. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) techniques were used to analyze the chemical composition. E. badjensis consistently exhibited a dominant composition, with 1,8-cineole being the predominant component. Notably, the proportion of 1,8-cineole in E. badjensis was 77.35% in spring (SP), 69.46% in summer (SU), 95.30% in autumn (AU), and 89.30% in winter (WI). E. globulus also exhibited 1,8-cineole as its primary constituent, with proportions fluctuating slightly across seasons at 84.87%, 79.94%, 81%, and 85.88%, respectively. The proportions and constituents of various species differed significantly. HPTLC was successfully used as a swift technique to monitor the chemical composition of essential oils (EOs) in various Eucalyptus species during the seasonality. GC–MS and HPTLC analysis showed that different Eucalyptus species displayed unique chemical compositions, while both the chemical profile and productivity of all analyzed EOs were affected by seasonality. This finding was demonstrated in the principal components cluster. The analysis of six species has revealed that the EO of E. benthamii is the most potent in thwarting the infestation of Cimex lectularius. Additionally, all six EOs demonstrated antioxidant activity in the ABTS model. EOs of E. benthamii, E. dunnii, and E. grandis showed significant anti-inflammatory activities in experimental models.

Alpha-Pinene Effect on Passive Avoidance Memory and CDK5 Gene Expression in the Rat Model of Huntington's Disease Induced by 3-Nitropropionic Acid

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2024

Medicinal Plants and Plant-based Traditional Medicine: Alternative Treatments for Depression and Their Potential Mechanisms of Action

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2024

Background Clinical depression is a serious public health issue that affects 4.7 % of the world's population and can lead to suicide tendencies. Although drug medications are available, only 60 % of the depressed patients respond positively to the treatments, while the rest experience side effects that resulted in the discontinuation of their medication. Thus, there is an urgent need for developing a new anti-depressant with a distinct mode of action and manageable side effects. One of the options is using medicinal plants or plant-based traditional medicine as alternative therapies for psychiatric disorders. Objectives Therefore, the objective of this review was twofold; to identify and critically evaluate anti-depressant properties of medicinal plants or those incorporated in traditional medicine; and to discuss their possible mechanism of action as well as challenges and way forward for this alternative treatment approach. Methods Relevant research articles were retrieved from various databases, including Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science, for the period from 2018 to 2020, and the search was updated in September 2024. The inclusion criterion was relevance to antidepressants, while the exclusion criteria included duplicates, lack of full-text availability, and non-English publications. Results Through an extensive literature review, more than 40 medicinal plant species with antidepressant effects were identified, some of which are part of traditional medicine. The list of the said plant species included Albizia zygia (DC.) J.F.Macbr., Calculus bovis Sativus, Celastrus paniculatus Willd., Cinnamomum sp., Erythrina velutina Willd., Ficus platyphylla Delile, Garcinia mangostana Linn., Hyptis martiusii Benth, and Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. Anti-depressant mechanisms associated with those plants were further characterised based on their modes of action such as anti-oxidation system, anti-inflammation action, modulation of various neurotransmitters, neuroprotective effect, the regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and anti-depressant mechanism. The challenges and future outlook of this alternative and complementary medicine are also explored and discussed. Conclusion This pool of identified plant species is hoped to offer health care professionals the best possible alternatives of anti-depressants from natural phytocompounds that are efficacious, safe and affordable for applications in future clinical settings.

Antioxidant Activities of Ethanolic Extracts Obtained from α-Pinene-Containing Plants and Their Use in Cosmetic Emulsions

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2024

Pinene is the bicyclic, unsaturated terpene hydrocarbon present in many plants. Due to its beneficial chemical properties, this compound is of great interest and has found numerous applications as a raw material in many chemical industries as well as in medicine and cosmetics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activities of ethanolic extracts obtained from plants containing α-pinene and to test the properties of cosmetic emulsions prepared with these extracts. The raw plant materials consisted of fresh parts of Pinus sylvestris L., such as cones, needles, and branches, as well as dried unground and ground pinecones; dried and fresh Rosmarinus officinalis leaves; dried Levisticum officinale leaves; and dried Salvia officinalis L. leaves. The plant materials were individually extracted with 40% (v/v), 70% (v/v), and 96% (v/v) ethanol using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) for 15, 30, or 60 min. This method is a green extraction technique, frequently applied to isolate active substances from plants. For the selected plant materials, Soxhlet extraction with 96% (v/v) ethanol was also performed. The qualitative and quantitative analyses of the components in the selected extracts were performed with gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antioxidant activities of the extracts were evaluated with the DPPH and ABTS methods. The extracts of three plant materials with the highest antioxidant activities-dried Rosmarinus officinalis leaves, dried Salvia officinalis L. leaves, and dried and ground Pinus sylvestris L. cones-were selected to be incorporated in cosmetic emulsions containing glyceryl monostearate and Olivem 1000 as emulsifiers. The stabilities and antioxidant activities of the emulsions were evaluated. Moreover, the antimicrobial properties of the emulsions using microbiological tests were also determined. The findings suggest that the prepared emulsions are stable cosmetic products with a high antioxidant potential.

Alpha-Pinene Effect on the Improvement of Working and Spatial memory in Rats

Article

Full-text available

May 2023

Analgesic Effects of Alpha-Pinene on Pain Models of Writing and Plantar Tests in Rats

Article

Apr 2023

Hagers Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis

Article

Full-text available

Jan 1994

Morphological and Chemical Evaluation of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) Populations of Different Origin

Article

Full-text available

May 1996

A comparison study of 13 fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill. var. vulgare) populations of different origins were carried out on the basis of morphological and chemical characters. Relatively stable and variable characteristics were distinguished from evaluating the correlation matrix of the morphological and chemical properties from two successive years. High stability was shown from the morphological aspects such as relative leaf mass, seed size, thousand seed mass (r= 1.000, 0.801, 0.807 respectively); for essential oil accumulation, the presence of (E)-anethole and methyl chavicol were stable characteristics (r=0.923, 0.876). Three distinct intraspecific chemical taxa could be separated based on the cluster analysis of the seed oil: fenchone-rich (31–42% fenchone), methyl chavicol-rich (30–43% methyl chavicol) and (E)-anethole-rich (60–85% anethole) chemovarieties. Within the anethole group, the presence of a further four chemical subvariants of a lower rank (chemoforms) was justified by discriminant analysis. It was also proved that the morphological characters could not be used to support any intraspecific chemical classification. In this respect, the medium strength correlation was found only between the level of essential oil accumulation and the size of seeds (r=0.610).

Evaluation of Median Lethal Dose and Analgesic Activity of Foeniculum vulgare Miller Essential Oil

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2006

Gas-chromatographic analysis, analgesic effect and median lethal dose (LD50) of Foeniculum vulgare Essential Oil (FEO) extract were investigated in mice. In all the experiments mice were tested twice, 30 min before drug administration in the baseline latency determinated and 30, 90 and 150 min after drug administration by tail-flick device. Aspirin (150 mg kg-1, peroral) and Morphine hydroclorure (10 mg kg-1 subcutan) were used as reference drugs. Only isotonic saline solution (0.2 mL, intraperitoneal) was given to the control group. 0.25 and 0.50 mL kg-1 FEO extract were given intra peritoneally to FEO groups. LD50 of the FEO was determined as 1.038 mL kg-1. At the 150th min of the study it is determined that all of the study groups (except Morphine group) had significantly analgesic effect when compared with control group and there was no difference between Aspirin and FEO groups. It was concluded that FEO had statistically significant and same analgesic effect with Aspirin showed at the 150th min of the study.

Method for determining loss of pain sensa - tion

Article

Nov 1940
J PHARMACOL EXP THER

Dl Smith

Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction and Fractionation of Fennel Oil

Article

Mar 1999

Ground fennel seeds were extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide. Small-scale subsequent extractions of the same sample showed that the composition of volatile compounds was changed with the extension of extraction time and only principal volatile components (limonene, fenchone, methylchavicol, and anethole) were present in the last-extracted sample. Fennel oil was successfully fractionated into the essential oil rich and fatty oil rich products in pilot-scale apparatus using two separators in series. Designed experiments were carried out to map the effects of pressure and temperature in the first separator on the yields and compositions of the products. The minimum level of the total undesired components in both essential oil rich and fatty oil rich products appeared at a pressure of 80−84 bar and a temperature of 31−35 °C in the first separator. Supercritical CO2 extraction of fennel seeds resulted in higher yield (10.0%) than steam distillation (3.0%), almost the same yield as hexane extraction (10.6%), and lower yield than alcohol extraction (15.4%). Analysis of the volatile compounds revealed the significant difference of the composition in distilled oil and oleoresins prepared by CO2 and solvent extractions. Sensory evaluation showed that the CO2 extraction product and distilled oil were more intense in odor and taste than alcohol and hexane extracts. Keywords: Supercritical fluid extraction; fractionation; Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (fennel); volatile oil; fatty oil

Spices, Condiments and Seasonings

Book

Jan 1985

Kenneth T. Farrell

Spices, Condiments, and Seasonings has been written for use as a text in food technology and as a general reference book for anyone associated with the food industry who has a desire to know more about these fabled, fragrant, pungent plant substances and how they are utilized in the formulation of condiments and seasonings. Dietitians concerned with low sodium diets will find the spice substitute information and the nutritional data on spices useful. Section I introduces the reader to the significance of spices through out history in a concise, chronological sequence of events. Section II defines spice and describes 58 of the more prominent spices and five popular spice blends. The description of each spice includes the following: common name, botanical name, family, histor icaVlegendary backgrounds, indigenous and cultivated sources of sup ply, physical and sensory characteristics, extractives obtained therefrom with their chemical and sensory attributes, specifications, proximate composition and nutritional data, and household and commercial uses. Photographs of each spice and sketches of each spice plant are included. Recipes for home cooking with spices and herbs have been omitted purposely as there are many good spice cookbooks available. Suggested spice substitutes for salt in sodium-restricted diets are listed together with the natural antioxidant activity of each spice. The microbiological aspects of spices are covered and the means for sterilizing them de scribed. The American Spice Trade Association's Standards for Spice Cleanliness are provided."

Non-specificity of mouse writhing test

Article

Jun 1967

Antispasmodic Effects of Some Medicinal Plants

Article

Jan 1981

The antispasmodic activity of 2.5 and 10.0 ml/l of alcoholic extracts of Melissa officinalis, Rosmarinus officinalis, Mentha piperita, Matricaria chamomilla, Foeniculum vulgare, Carum carvi and Citrus aurantium prepared from 1 part of the plant and 3.5 parts of ethanol (31 % w/w) was tested employing the guinea pig ileum and using acetylcholine and histamine as spasmogens. Most of the extracts shifted the dose response curves of acetylcholine and histamine to the right in a dose dependent manner. Extracts from Carum carvi, Mentha piperita, Citrus aurantium and Matricaria chamomilla showed a significant rise of the DE50 of cetylcholine-induced contractions and a significant decrease of the maximal possible contractility. In histamine-induced contractions, all plant extracts except Extractum Melissae exhibited a significant increase of the DE50, and all extracts used here decreased the maximal possible contractility produced by histamine. The alcoholic extract of Mentha piperita was most effective when tested with acetylcholine and the extract of Citrus auran-tium was most active when tested with histamine. Melissa officinalis did not show significant antispasmodic activity. When the antispasmodic activities of the most effective plant extracts were compared with the activity of atropine, it was evident that their effects were less than that of the usual therapeutic dosage of atropine in man. The most pronounced effects with 10 ml/l Extractum Citrus aurantii and 10 ml/l Extractum Menthae piperitae correspond to the effect of 0.07 resp. 0.13 mg atropine.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of the Essential Oil of Bupleurum fruticescens

Article

Jan 1994

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.

Antitumorigenic Effects of Limonene and Perillyl Alcohol Against Pancreatic and Breast Cancer

Article

Feb 1996
ADV EXP MED BIOL

Perillyl alcohol is a natural product from cherries and other edible plants. Perillyl alcohol and d-limonene, a closely related dietary monoterpene, have chemotherapeutic activity against pancreatic, mammary, and prostatic tumors. In addition, perillyl alcohol, limonene, and other dietary monoterpenes have chemopreventive activity. Several mechanisms may account for the antitumorigenic effects of monoterpenes. For example, many monoterpenes inhibit the post-translational isoprenylation of cell growth-regulatory proteins such as Ras. Perillyl alcohol induces apoptosis without affecting the rate of DNA synthesis in both liver and pancreatic tumor cells. In addition, monoterpene-treated, regressing rat mammary tumors exhibit increased expression of transforming growth factor beta concomitant with tumor remodeling/redifferentiation to a more benign phenotype. Monoterpenes are effective, nontoxic dietary antitumor agents which act through a variety of mechanisms of action and hold promise as a novel class of antitumor drugs for human cancer.