The pharmacological importance of Anethum graveolens.A review

Abstract

Anethum graveolens contained essential oils, fatty oil, proteins, carbohydrates, furanocoumarin, polyphenols, mineral and many other biologically active constituents. It is widely used traditionally. The pharmacological studies showed that Anethum graveolens induced antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, analgesic, gastric mucosal protective and antisecretory effects, smooth muscle relaxant effect, hyperlipidaemic, increased progesterone concentration, and many other effects. This review will highlight the chemical constituent and pharmacological effects of Anethum graveolens.

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THE PHARMACOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF ANETHUM GRAVEOLENS.A REVIEW
ALI ESMAIL AL-SNAFI
Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Thi qar University, Nasiriyah, P O Box 42, Iraq. Cell: +9647801397994.
Email: aboahmad61@yahoo.com
Received: 24 Dec 2013 Revised and Accepted: 11 Jan 2014
ABSTRACT
Anethum graveolens contained essential oils, fatty oil, proteins, carbohydrates, furanocoumarin, polyphenols, mineral and many other biologically
active constituents. It is widely used traditionally. The pharmacological studies showed that Anethum graveolens induced antimicrobial, anti-
inflammatory, analgesic, gastric mucosal protective and antisecretory effects, smooth muscle relaxant effect, hyperlipidaemic, increased
progesterone concentration, and many other effects. This review will highlight the chemical constituent and pharmacological effects of Anethum
graveolens.
Keywords: Anethum graveolens, Dill, chemistry, Pharmacology
INTRODUCTION
Anethum graveolens, belong to the family Umbelliferae, is indigenous
to southern Europe. It is an annual herb growing in the
Mediterranean region, central and southern Asia. Now it is
cultivated widely throughout the world [1-4]. It is used traditionally
as a popular aromatic herb and spice that has a very long history of
use going back to more than 5,000 years. It was used as a remedy for
indigestion and flatulence and as milk secretion stimulant.
Moreover, it is used as an anti-convulsion, anti-emetic, anti-cramp
(in children), as a wound healer and to increase the appetite and
strengthen the stomach [5-7].
Anethum graveolens contained essential oils, fatty oil, moisture
(8.39%), proteins (15.68%), carbohydrates (36%), fiber (14.80%),
ash (9.8%), furanocoumarin, polyphenols and mineral [6-13].
Previous studies showed that Anethum graveolens induced
antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, gastric mucosal
protective and antisecretory effects, smooth muscle relaxant effect,
hyperlipidaemic, increased progesterone concentration, and many
other effects. The aim of the present review is to highlight the
chemical constituent and pharmacological effects of Anethum
graveolens.
Synonyms: Pastinaca anethum Spreng, Peucedanum graveolens
Benth. and Selinum anethum Roth.
Common names: Unani: Soyaa, Siddha: Sadakuppai, Sanskrit:
Sthatpushpi, Hindi: Sowa, Punjabi: Soya, English: Dill and Anet,
Arabic: Shibth and Haba helwa [7].
Parts used medicinally: Fruit, leaf, and essential oil
Physicochemical properties (4, 8-9):
Foreign organic matter: not more than 2.0%, total ash: not more
than 11.0%, acid-insoluble ash: not more than 1.5%, water-soluble
extractive: not less than 15.0%, and alcohol-soluble extractive: not
less than 4.0%.
Chemical constituents
Anethum graveolens contained essential oils, fatty oil, moisture
(8.39%), proteins (15.68%), carbohydrates (36%), fiber (14.80%),
ash (9.8%) and mineral elements such as calcium, potassium,
magnesium, phosphorous, sodium, vitamin A and niacin. Fruits of
Anethum graveolens contain 1 - 4% essential oil comprising of major
compounds: carvone (30 - 60%), limonene (33%), α-phellandrene
(20.61%), including pinene, diterpene, dihydrocarvone, cineole,
myrcene, paramyrcene, dillapiole, isomyristicin, myristicin, myristin,
apiol and dillapiol. Anethum graveolens essential oil also contained
furanocoumarin, 5-(4”-hydroxy-3”methyl-2”- butenyloxy)-6, 7-
furocoumarin, oxypeucedanin, oxypeucedanin hydrate and
falcarindiol [6, 10-12].
The total phenol and total flavonoid contents of Anethum graveolens
L. extract were 105.2 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g of the dried
extract and 58.2 mg of catechin equivalents/g of the dried extract,
respectively [13].
Pharmacological effects
Antimicrobial effects
The essential oil and different extracts of Anethum graveolens seeds
exerted antimicrobial activity against wide range of microorganisms.
The essential oils and acetone extracts shown antimicrobial activity
against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecalis,
Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Yersinia enterocolitica,
Salmonella choleraesuis, S. typhimurium, Shigella flexneri,
Salmonella typhii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Mycobacterium.
Anethum graveolens seed extracts have also been reported to
possess anti-ulcer activity, and have shown moderate activity
against Helicobacter pylori. Aqueous and organic extracts of seeds
have exhibited potent antibacterial activity. The essential oils also
active against three fungi (a yeast, Candida albicans and two molds,
Penicillium islandicum and Aspergillus flavus). D-limonene and D-
carvone, have exhibited strong antifungal activity against Aspergillus
niger, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans. Many authors
mentioned that the antimicrobial activities could be attributed to
furanocoumarin in Anethum graveolens [11, 14-22].
Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects
The hydro alcoholic extract of the Anethum graveolens seed caused
significant decrease in the inflammation and pain in rats [23].
Anethum graveolens oil and diclofenac-gel showed a significant (p <
0.001) decrease in the paw volume in rats compared to the blank
group. Anethum graveolens oil showed even more decrease in the
paw volume compared to the diclofenac [24].
A single topical application of an ethanol extract of the fruits to the
inner and outer surface of the ear of mice inhibited ear inflammation
induced by 12-O- etradecanoylphorbol- 13 acetate by 60% [25].
A 10% aqueous extract of the fruits and 5% aqueous solution of the
essential oil had analgesic effects in mice pain induced by hot plate
and acetic acid writhing models. The effect of the fruits (1.0 g/kg
body weight) was comparable to 200 mg / Kg body weight of acetyl
salicylic acid [26].
International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
ISSN- 0975-1491 Vol 6, Issue 4, 2014
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Int J Pharm Pharm Sci, Vol 6, Issue 4, 11-13
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Effects on gastrointestinal system:
A. graveolens seed extracts possessed significant mucosal protective
and antisecretory effects in the gastric mucosa lesions induced in
mice by oral administration of HCl (1 N) and absolute ethanol. The
acidity and total acid content were reduced by the orally or
intraperitoneally administration of the extracts [27]. Anethum
graveolens seed extracts exerted moderate activity against
Helicobacter pylori [28]. The essential oil of Anethum graveolens
reduced contractions of rabbit intestine [29]. Ethanol extract
inhibited acetylcholine and histamine induced contractions of
guinea-pig ileum [30]. Dill seeds have been used as household
remedy to relief digestive problems such as stomachache,
indigestion and flatulence. Dill water is believed to have a soothing
effect and is given to babies to treat gripe, relieve hiccups and colic
[7]. The essential oil was a mild carminative and reduced foaming in
vitro [31].
Hyperlipidaemic effects
The crude extract of Anethum graveolens L showed anti-hyper
cholesterolaemic and anti-hyperlipidaemic activities. The crude
extracts of A. graveolens L. besides having strong anti-
hyperlipidaemic effects, it improved the biological antioxidant status
by reducing lipid peroxidation in liver and modulating the activities
of antioxidant enzymes in rats fed with high fat [32-34]. Treatment
of hyperlipidaemic rats with defatted ethanolic Anethum graveolens
L. extract (single daily dose of 1 ml, equivalent to 500 mg of the plant
powder) and high-fat diet for up to 10 and/or 30 days reversed the
serum lipid levels compared to rats which were fed only high-fat
diet. In addition, it induced significant increase in HMG-
CoA/mevalonate ratio as compared to rats which were fed high-fat
diet after treatment with defatted ethanolic Anethum graveolens L.
extract for 30 days [13]. Dill powder and its essential oils also
exerted hypolipidaemic activity in rats [34]. Intravenous
administration of 12.5 mg/kg body weight of 70% dried ethanol
extract of the fruits dissolved in normal saline or 4.0 μl/kg body
weight of the essential oil induced dieresis and enhance sodium and
calcium excretion in dogs[35]. Intravenous administration of 5–10
mg/kg body weight of 5% seed oil in saline to cats caused
hypotension and increased respiration volume [2-4].
Effects on reproductive system
The effects of Anethum graveolens L. (dill) extracts on female
reproductive system were studied in female rats. The
experimental groups were fed 0.045 g/kg and 0.45 g/kg of
aqueous extract and 0.5 g/kg and 5 g/kg of ethanol extract for 10
days. Treatment with high dose of the extract resulted in a
significant increase in duration of the estrous cycle and diestrus
phase. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER), rough endoplasmic
reticulum (RER) and mitochondria were increased in granulosa
lutein cells in high dose groups. There were no significant
statistical differences in amount of serum estradiole between
experimental, control and sham groups but the serum
progesterone concentration increased significantly in high dose
treatment group compared with control and sham groups [36].
Dill seed possessed contractive effects on myometer, enhanced
releasing of oxytocin which is an effective hormone in uterus
contractions.A dose of 6-7 gm of dill seed extract after delivery
decreases postpartum hemorrhage due to its contractive
characteristic. Limonene and anethole showed contractive effect on
uterine myometrium [37-40].
Zagamil et al. carried out a clinical study to evaluate the effect of Dill
seed on uterus contractions in active phase of labor. 40 women used
Dill seed infusion (one tablespoon of whole dill seed seeped in a half
or whole cup boiling water for 3-4 min before going to the hospital
at the beginning of uterus contractions), and 60 women used
nothing in the control group. Interpretable electronic fetal
monitoring was obtained for half an hour at the beginning of the
active phase. The Fall: Rise ratio was calculated by measuring the
duration of time for a contraction to return to its baseline from its
peak (fall) divided to the duration of its rise time to its peak
(rise).The number of contractions in the treated group was
significantly more than the control group. The ratio of contraction’s
fall time to its rise time in the treated group was shorter than the
control group. The study showed that dill seed shortens duration of
the first stage of labor [41].
Contraindication and adverse effects
It was safe, but rarely and in sporadic cases, it caused allergic
reactions, oral pruritus, tongue and throat swelling, urticaria,
vomiting and diarrhea. It was not recommended during pregnancy.
The maximum non-fatal doses of aqueous and ethanolic extracts in
mice were 0.45 g/kg and 5 g/kg (ip), respectively. LD50 values of the
aqueous and ethanolic extracts were 3.04 g/kg, (ip) and 6.98 g/kg,
(ip) respectively [27, 42-44].
Dosage
The average daily dose of the seeds is 3 g; essential oil is 0.1-0.3g [5,
44-45].
CONCLUSION
Anethum graveolens is a plant with wide range of chemical
constituents which exerted many pharmacological effects. There is a
great promise for development of novel drugs from Anethum
graveolens to treat human diseases as a result of its effectiveness and
safety.
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