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Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res., 21(2), Jul – Aug 2013; nᵒ 02, 7-15 ISSN 0976 – 044X
International
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research
Available online at
www.globalresearchonline.net
7
Chakrapani.P, Venkatesh.K, Chandra Sekhar Singh.B, Arun Jyothi.B, Prem Kumar, Amareshwari.P, A. Roja Rani*
*Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, Osmania University, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
*Corresponding author’s E-mail: anupalli_rr@yahoo.com
Accepted on: 29-04-2013; Finalized on: 31-07-2013.
ABSTRACT
Aromatic plants have been commercially used as spices, natural flavor, raw material for essential-oil industry and other medicinal
purpose. The use of essential oils continues to rise, both as a separate commodity and indirectly through a large range of beauty-
care and aromatherapy products. Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth; is a species from the genus Pogostemon and a
bushy herb of the mint family. Patchouli leaves are the source for essential oils that constitutes more than 70 chemical compounds.
The presence of these compounds imparts excellent therapeutic properties to Patchouli oils that cure various problems tormenting
human beings. Production of patchouli oil in India is limited (10–15 tons/ annum). Global demand of Patchouli is 1600 tons of oil per
annum with a value of 240 crores. It helps cultivators to meet the demand of the spices and pharmaceutical industry. The present
communication constitutes a review on the study of phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, medicinal importance of an
aromatic medicinal plant, Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin Blanco) Benth. A wide range of phytochemical constituents have been
isolated from Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth which possesses activities like antimicrobial, cytotoxic activity,
antiemetic activity, analgesic, anti-mutagenic activity and anti-inflammatory activity and other important activities. Based upon the
given significant information, Pogostemon cablin can be developed into novel natural medicine.
Keywords: aromatic plants, natural medicine, phytochemicals, Pogostemon cablin, therapeutic properties.
INTRODUCTION
edicinal plants have provided modern medicine
with numerous plant derived therapeutic
agents.1 Many parts of medicaments are based
on indigenous herbals and in recent years, the interest
towards the medicinal plants has increased in a great
deal. Apart from this, people from different places have
also taken this matter seriously by conducting various
researches on plant based medicines. In the commercial
market, medicinal herbs are used as raw drugs, extracts
or tinctures.2 Medicinal plants are used in aromatherapy,
a form of alternative medicine that uses volatile plant
materials, known as essential oils, and other aromatic
compounds for the purpose of altering a person's mind,
mood, cognitive function or health. Some essential oils
such as tea tree3 have demonstrated anti-microbial
effects, but there is still a lack of clinical evidence
demonstrating efficacy against bacterial, fungal, or viral
infections.4 However some evidence exists that essential
oils may have therapeutic potential.5
People are settling for remedies that are not just effective
but are harmless in the long run. Herbal oils are of various
types depending on herbs used to extract the oil. The
most important bioactive constituents of plants are
alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds.6
Amongst popular oils, Patchouli oil extracted from
Pogostemon cablin is known not just for its health
benefits but also for its fragrance.7 Patchouli is a
perennial herb and a fragrant plant that basically grows in
the tropical region throughout the world. Though
patchouli oil is known for its perfumery uses and there
are other medicinal properties attached with patchouli
oil.8 Patchouli oil’s growing demand can be understood as
it can neither be replaced inorganically nor synthesized
because of its complex molecular structure.9 Hence, the
only alternative is to cultivate the plant extensively.10 The
aim of the present paper is to review the importance of
patchouli extractions in the treatment of diseases that
may be useful for the applications of this medicinal plant
in the treatment of diseases.
Pogostemon cablin
The plant patchouli belongs to the family Lamiaceae (mint
family). Traditionally it had been considered closely
related to Verbenaceae.11 The plants of this family are
frequently aromatic in all parts and widely used culinary
herbs such as basil, mint, rosemary, sage, savory,
marjoram, oregano, thyme, lavender and perilla.12-14 The
name Patchouli was derived from Tamil (patchai: green
and ellai: leaf).
Patchouli is a species from the genus Pogostemon and a
bushy herb of the mint family, with erect stems, two or
three feet (about 0.75 meters) in height and bearing small
pale pink-white flowers. The plant is native to tropical
regions of Asia and is now extensively cultivated in China,
India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius,
Philippines, West Africa and Vietnam.15 Indian demand
for patchouli oil is around 220 tonnes valued at 33 crores,
while global demand is to the tune of 1600 tonnes of oil
per annum with a value of 240 crores.16 The scent of
patchouli is heavy, strong and used for centuries in
perfumes. Even though other species of Patchouli are
cultivated, Pogostemon cablin is considered as superior as
Phytochemical, Pharmacological importance of Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin (Blanco)
Benth) an aromatic medicinal plant
M
Review
Article
Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res., 21(2), Jul – Aug 2013; nᵒ 02, 7-15 ISSN 0976 – 044X
International
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research
Available online at
www.globalresearchonline.net
8
it grows well in warm to tropical climates.17 The seed-
bearing flowers are very fragrant and bloom in late fall.
Figure 1: Pogostemon cablin. Benth
In absence of modern medicinal remedies people relied
on herbal remedies derived from herbs and spices. There
are many medicinal herbs and spices, which find place in
day-to-day uses, many of these are used as herbal
remedies.18 In patchouli fresh or dried leaves are used
apart from the essential oils.19 The flowers, leaves, and
seeds of the plant give off the signature patchouli scent
and even more when crushed.20
Scientific Classification21
Category : Dicot
Kingdom : Plantae
Subkingdom : Tracheobionta
Super division : Spermatophyta
Division : Magnoliophyta
Class : Magnoliopsida
Subclass : Asteridae
Order : Lamiales
Family : Lamiaceae
Genus : Pogostemon
Species : Cablin
Binomial name : Pogostemon cablin Benth
Synonyms : Patchouli, Patchouly, Pachouli.22
Sanskrit synonyms: Patra, Gandhaparta.23
Vernacular Names24-26
Malaysia : Dhalum Wangi, Tilam Wangi, Nilam
English : Patchouli
Indonesia : Nilam Wangi (General), Nilam (Acheh),
Singalon (Batak)
Thailand : Phimsen (Bangkok)
Vietnam : (Ho (aws) c h (uw) (ow) ng)
Philippines : Kabling (Tagalog); Katluen (Bisaya) Kadlum
(Bikol, Bisaya, Sulu)
China : Guang Huo Xiang
Korea : Hyangdulkkaephul
India : Pachi (Sanskrit); Pachauli (Hindi); Pachapat,
Patchouli (Bengali); Pachila, Kattam (Malayalam);
Pachetene (Kannada); Pacha, Sugandhi pandi (Gujarati);
Panch (Marathi)
French : Patchouli
Spanish : Pachuli
Commercial Cultivation of Patchouli
Commercial cultivation of the crop in India was first
attempted by Tata Oil Mills in 1942. After initial stray
attempts to grow the crop, its systematic cultivation
started in 1962 by Central Institute of Medicinal and
Aromatic Plants (CIMAP).27 Since there is no replacement
for patchouli oil; its unique market position in aroma
industry has further increased.9 Patchouli is commercially
cultivated in the Indian states of Karnataka, Maharashtra,
Kerala, Goa, Gujarat and Assam.28,29 At present, the global
requirement of patchouli is met mainly through the
production from Indonesia. However, due to adverse
conditions in Indonesia, the supply of oil is irregular.
India’s available infrastructure and environment can
provide an opportunity to gain a major part of the world
market.30
Essential Oils
Patchouli oil has a very earthy aroma that matures with
aging. Patchouli oil is extracted from the leaves of the
plant which are harvested in the wet season and then
dried for several days. Dewi Haryani extracted patchouli
oil using steam distillation.31,20 Sesquiterpene cyclase
patchoulol synthase was purified and characterized from
P.cablin.32 Molecular distillation studies were performed
for purification of patchouli oil from P.cablin.33 Ultrasonic
extraction method used to get higher yield of patchouli
oil. The ultrasound is used to penetrate into the leave
cells to extract the patchouli essential oil from the
leaves.34
The Traditional Uses of Patchouli Essential Oil
Patchouli oil can be attributed to its properties like anti-
depressant, antiphlogistic, antiseptic, aphrodisiac,
astringent, cicatrisant, cytophylactic, deodorant, diuretic,
febrifuge, fungicide, insecticide, sedative, tonic,
cicatrisant, cytophylactic, deodorant, stimulant, euphoric.
It has been used in India, China and Japan for various
medicinal purposes. Because of its primary antiseptic
properties, it is used to treat athlete's foot, dandruff,
wounds and scars. It gives relief from constipation and
acts as an antidote against insect bites temporarily.
Patchouli alcohol is a fragrance ingredient used in
decorative cosmetics, fine fragrances, shampoos, toilet
soaps, non-cosmetic products such as household cleaners
and detergents.35 97.5 percentile use level in formulae for
Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res., 21(2), Jul – Aug 2013; nᵒ 02, 7-15 ISSN 0976 – 044X
International
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research
Available online at
www.globalresearchonline.net
9
use in cosmetics in general has been reported to be
0.11%,36 which would result in a conservative calculated
maximum daily exposure on the skin of 0.0028 mg/kg for
high end users of these products. The volatile oil of P.
cablin and the Chinese crude drug Herba pogostemonis, is
widely used in the cosmetic and oral hygiene industries.
Patchoulic alcohol is commonly used as an indicator for
the quality assessment of dried P. cablin.37 It also used as
daily dosage along with other herbs for treatment of
asthma.38
Ayurvedic Properties
The P.cablin is used in treatment of ayurvedic Rasa, Guna
and Virya.23
Aromatherapy
In India this essential oil with the lyrical name of
patchapat has long been used to keep moths and other
insects out of linens, woolen shawls and rugs.39 It is the
characteristic scent found in Indian bedspreads and
cottons. Hand-woven silk and wool rugs from Persia,
India, and Turkey have dried patchouli leaves laid on
them before they were rolled for shipping. To some
people the scent of patchouli is exotic, sensual, and
luxurious, but to others it is repellent. The leaves must be
fermented and aged before being distilled, which can take
as long as 24 hours. Even then, the translucent yellow oil
smells harsh. As it ages, it develops patchouli’s distinctive
scent. It also has a reputation as an aphrodisiac, a notion
that probably originated in India. All attempts to make
synthetic patchouli have failed utterly.40
Table 1: Phytochemical constituents isolated from Pogostemon cablin (Micheal Tierra (1992); Daniel M (2006); Baby P et
al., (2007). http://www.globinmed.com/index).
Chemical constituents
Patchouli alcohol 3-octanone Benzaldehyde dimethylphenol octanoic-acid
Pogostol 4-methyl-pentanoic-acid b-elemene epiguaipyridine Ombuine
nor-patchoulinol a-bulnesene b-patchoulene epoxycaryophyllen
e
p-vinyl-phenol
Seychellene a-bulnesene oxide b-pinene Eugenol pachypodol
nor-patchoulinol a-bulnesone Bulnesol eugenol cinnamic
aldehyde patchouli-alcohol
patchoulipyridine a-guaiene Cadinene g-patchoulene Patchoulipyridine
Methylchavicol a-guaiene oxide Camphene guaiacol pentanoic-acid
Limonene a-patchoulene caryophyllene guaipyridine phenol
Pinene a-pinene caryophyllene-oxide heptanoic-acid pogostol
p-methoxycinnamaldehyde anethole cinnamaldehyde humulene pogostone
1,10-epoxy-alphabulnesene anisaldehyde cis-2-
pentylcyclopropylcarboxylic
-acid limonene rhamnetin
1-alpha,5-alpha-epoxy-
alpha-guaiene Apigenin cycloseychellene nonanoic-acid seychellene
1-beta,5-beta-epoxy-alpha-
guaiene apigenin-7-o-beta-d-(-6"-
p-coumaroyl)-glucoside d-patchoulene nordehydropatcho
ulol tannin
2-methyl-butyric-acid apigenin-7-o-beta-
glucoside;; benzaldehyde dehydracetic-acid norpatchoulenol trans-2-
pentylcyclopropylcar
boxylic-acid
2-methylhexanoic-acid azulene dhelwangin o-cresol
Table 2: Phytochemical constituents isolated from Pogostemon cablin (Guan Let al., 1994)
Compounds from Pogostemon cablin
Identification method
Reference
Patchouli alcohol 1H-NMR, IR, MS and UV Guan L et al., 1994
Pogostone 1H-NMR, IR, MS and UV Guan L et al., 1994
Friedelin
(Isolated first time)
1H-NMR, IR, MS and UV Guan L et al., 1994
Epifriedelinol (Isolated first time) 1H-NMR, IR, MS and UV Guan L et al., 1994
Retusine
(Isolated first time) 1H-NMR, IR, MS and UV Guan L et al., 1994
Oleanolic acid (Isolated first time) 1H-NMR, IR, MS and UV Guan L et al., 1994
Beta-sitosterol
(Isolated first time)
1H-NMR, IR, MS and UV Guan L et al., 1994
Daucosterol
(Isolated first time)
1H-NMR, IR, MS and UV Guan L et al., 1994
Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res., 21(2), Jul – Aug 2013; nᵒ 02, 7-15 ISSN 0976 – 044X
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Table 3: Chemical constituents obtained from P. cablin (Supawan B et al., 2006)
Compound Kovat’s Index % Area
Sesquiterpenes
δ-elemene 1339 t
β-patchoulene 1380 t
β-elemene 1391 0.33
cis-thujopsene 1429 0.25
trans-caryophyllene 1418 2.24
α-guaiene 1439 7.22
γ-patchoulene 1441 3.89
α-humulene 1454 0.48
α-patchoulene 1456 2.27
Seychellene 1460 0.98
Valencene 1491 0.85
β-selinene 1485 t
α-selinene 1494 0.23
Viridiflorene 1493 1.91
Germacrene A 1503 11.73
α-bulnesene 1505 0.86
7-epi-α-selinene 1517 0.17
Oxygenated sesquiterpenes
Longipinanol 1566 t
Globulol 1583 4.62
Patchouli alcohol 1659
60.30
Others
1-octen-3-ol 0978 0.20
t = trace (less than 0.01)
Table 4: Phytochemical constituents
Sesquiterpene hydroperoxides 1-3 Acetone extract
Kiuchi Fet al., 2004)
Licochalcone A Cytotoxicity-guided fractionation Park EJet al., (1998)
Ombuin Cytotoxicity-guided fractionation Park EJet al.,1998
5, 7-dihydroxy-3',4'- dimethoxyflavanone Cytotoxicity-guided fractionation Park EJet al.,1998
Delta-guaiene, GC/MS technology Luo Jet al., 2002
Aciphyllene GC/MS technology Luo Jet al., 2002
Phytochemical Constituents of Patchouli
Literature survey established the fact that patchouli oil
has more than 70 chemical compounds. Patchouli alcohol,
pogostol, seychellene, nor-patchoulinol,
patchoulipyridine, methylchavicol, limonene, pinene, p-
methoxy cinnamaldehyde etc41, 42, 43 and others have
extracted phytochemical constituents from P.cablin
through distillation process.44-47
Chemical constituents
Three terpenoids Germacrene, Patchoulol or patchouli
alcohol, Norpatchoulenol found in patchouli oil are
responsible for the typical patchouli scent.48-50 TLC and
HPLC were used to identify the possible chemical markers
for evaluating the quality of the crude drug "Pogostemoni
herba" (aerial part of P. cablin), a component of Kampo
medicines. In addition to the reported patchouli alcohol
and 2-hydroxy-6-methyl-3-(4-methylpentanoyl)-4-pyrone,
three phenylethanoids (acteoside, isoacteoside, and
crenatoside) were isolated from this plant material for
the first time.51
RT-PCR strategy was developed to isolate and functionally
characterize the respective patchouli oil synthase genes.
Unexpectedly, only five terpene synthase cDNA genes
were isolated. Four of the cDNAs encode for synthases
catalyzing the biosynthesis of one major sesquiterpene,
Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res., 21(2), Jul – Aug 2013; nᵒ 02, 7-15 ISSN 0976 – 044X
International
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research
Available online at
www.globalresearchonline.net
11
including a gamma-curcumene synthase, two germacrene
D synthases, and a germacrene A synthase. The fifth
cDNA encodes for a patchoulol synthase, which catalyzes
the conversion of FPP to patchoulol plus at least 13
additional sesquiterpene products.48 The study on the
chemical constituents of an essential oil of P. cablin was
carried out by hydrodistillation of leaf explants and the oil
analyzed by GC/MS and identified twenty two
compounds. Among these eighteen were sesquiterpenes
and three oxygenated sesquiterpenes.52
Germacrene A Germacrene B Germacrene C Germacrene D Germacrene E
Figure 2: Five different germacrene compounds
PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDIES
Antimicrobial Activity
Kuntal Das et al.,53 evaluated the anti microbial property
of patchouli oil against several microorganisms viz.
Bacillus substilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus
pyogenes, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonus
aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and
Serratia marcescens by agar diffusion technique and
found that the dose of 300 mcg/ml patchouli oil gave
maximum zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus
(14.53±0.37) followed by 12.15 ± 0.35 against
Streptococcus. Patchouli alcohol, a major component in
patchouli oil, and the extract showed higher antibacterial
activity than the mixture of β-sitosterol and stigmasterol
and 7,3′,4-tri-O-methyleriodictyol.54 The essential oil of P.
cablin showed antibacterial activity against
periodontopathic bacteria, including Actinobacillus,
Capnocytophaga, Fusobacterium, Eikenella.55
Antiviral activity
The anti-influenza A (H2N2) virus activity of patchouli
alcohol was studied in vitro, in vivo and in silico. The CC
(50) of patchouli alcohol was above 20 µM. It could inhibit
influenza virus with an IC (50) of 4.03 ± 0.23 µM. In the
influenza mouse model, patchouli alcohol showed
obvious protection against the viral infection at a dose of
5 mg-1kg-1day.56 The methanol extract from the leaves of
P.cablin, showed potent in vitro antiviral activity (99.8%
inhibition at a concentration of 10 µgmL-1) against
influenza virus A/PR/8/34 (H1N1). Patchouli alcohol did
not show anti-influenza virus activity against
A/Guizhou/54/89 (H3N2).57
Anti fungal activity
P. cablin oil (100 micro g/ml) inhibited the mycelial
growth of Candida albicans58 as well as Aspergillus niger
and Aspergillus flavus with MICs (minimal inhibitory
concentrations) in the range of 0.78-12.5 mg mL-1.59
Other Activities
Patchouli oil main constituent, patchouli alcohol was
found to be toxic and repellent against Formosan
subterranean termites.60 The Stomoxys calcitrans (L.)
(Diptera: Muscidae) repellency of 21 essential oils (EOs)
alone or in combination with Calophyllum inophyllum L.
(Clusiaceae), nut oil (tamanu oil) examined using an
exposed human hand bioassay. Results were compared
with those of commonly used repellent N, N-diethyl-3-
methylbenzamide (DEET). In tests with six human male
volunteers at a dose of 0.5 mg/cm2, patchouli (protection
time (PT), 3.67 h) was the most effective EO but less
active than DEET (4.47h).61 The undiluted oil of P. cablin
showed most effective and provided 2h of complete
repellency against Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles
dirus when compare with other essential oils.62
Figure 3: Patchoulol Chemical structure
Figure 4: Norpatchoulenol Chemical structure
Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res., 21(2), Jul – Aug 2013; nᵒ 02, 7-15 ISSN 0976 – 044X
International
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research
Available online at
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Evaluation of the toxicity
Patchouli oil was evaluated for toxicity against
Choristoneura rosaceana, LC (50) and LD (50) values
confirmed that patchouli oil was the most toxic to C.
rosaceana larvae, with LC (50) = 2.8 µL mL (-1) and LD (50)
= 8.0 µg insect (-1).63
Anti-mutagenic activity of flavonoids
Methanol extract from P. cablin showed a suppressive
effect on umu gene expression of SOS response in
Salmonella typhimurium TA1535/pSK1002 against the
mutagen 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl) acrylamide
(furylfuramide).64
Anti-emetic principles
n-hexane extract of patchouli alcohol, pogostol, stigmast-
4-en-3-one, retusin and pachypodol exhibited anti-emetic
effects.65
Cytotoxic activity of patchouli
Licochalcone A, ombuin, and 5, 7-dihydroxy- 3, 4 –
dimethoxyflavanone were isolated from the aerial parts
of Pogostemon cablin by cytotoxicity guided fractionation
and it showed in vitro cytotoxicity in the P388 cell line (ED
50 9.12 µg/ml) and Pl – PLCλl inhibition activity.
Treatment of promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL 60) with
compound Licochalcone A induced terminal
differentiation with the generation of monocyte using
nonspecific acid esterase assay.45
Location and activation of smell brain centers
Marchwicka et al.,66 using MRI brain scans data
determined more smell brain centers in female and male
human’s brains using olfactory and trigeminal nerve-
mediated stimuli during stimulation by patchouli.
Studies conducted the effects of P.cablin essential oil
inhalation on the body weight, food efficiency rate and
serum leptin in SD (Sprague Dawley) rats.67
Recombinant Technology
Farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS) of yeast has been
coupled to patchoulol synthase (PTS) of plant origin (P.
cablin). Expression of the fusion proteins in S. cerevisiae
increased the production of patchoulol, the main
sesquiterpene produced by PTS, up to 2-fold.68
Incubations of isotopically pure (2-(2) H (1)) (E, E)-farnesyl
diphosphate with recombinant patchoulol synthase (PTS)
from P. cablin afforded a 65:35 mixture of
monodeuterated and dideuterated patchoulols as well as
numerous sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. Extensive NMR
analyses of the labeled patchoulol mixture and
comparisons of the spectra with those of unlabeled
alcohol led to the conclusion that the deuterium label was
located at positions (patchoulol numbering system) C5
(both isotopomers, ca. 100%) and C12 (minor isotopomer,
30-35%), that is approximately 2:1 mixture of (5-(2)H(1))-
and (5,12-(2)H(2)-patchoulols.69
GC-MS Fingerprint Studies
The GC fingerprint performed by gas chromatography
with patchouli alcohol and pogostone as chemical
markers can be used for identification of patchouli oil.70
For controlling the quality, standard fingerprint of P.cablin
collected from different regions of China was developed
by using GC-MS. Nine compounds including beta-
patchoulene, caryophyllene, alpha-guaiene, seychellene,
beta-guaiene, delta-guaiene, pathulenol, patchouli
alcohol and pogostone were identified among 10 main
peaks in P. cablin.71
Several experiments were carried out to test different
habitats, collection periods, processing methods, the level
of spreading manure and using agricultural chemical with
the volatile oil assay of pharmacopoeia and GC-MS
method.72 A gas chromatography-tandem mass
spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) method has been successfully
developed for the determination of patchoulic alcohol
content in the samples of dried P. cablin and was found to
be convenient in particular to tackle the complicated
matrix problems always encountered in the herbs which
contain high level of essential oils.37 The chemical
constituents of the volatile oil of the stems and leaves of
P. cablin collected from Leizhou county have been
analyzed by GC-MS and found patchouli alcohol, delta-
guaiene, alpha-guaiene, seychellene, alpha-patchoulene,
aciphyllene, trans-caryophyllene as main constituents.73
Pharmacokinetics
The pharmacokinetic parameters demonstrated patchouli
alcohol was consistent with the two-compartment open
model and showed linear pharmacokinetics. The T1/2
beta, AUC and MRT of patchouli alcohol in patchouli oil
were all higher than that of patchouli alcohol. This
method is quick, precise and reliable.74
CONCLUSION
The literature survey revealed that Patchouli
(Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. has been widely
studied for its pharmacological activities and regarded as
one of the best panacea in Ayurvedic medicine. It is a
versatile plant having a wide spectrum of medicinal
activities. It can be concluded that P. cablin is an
important source of many pharmacologically and
medicinally important chemicals such as sesquiterpenes
and three oxygenated sesquiterpenes. There is not
sufficient scientifically valid evidence to state that
patchouli extract could be potentially harmful to human
beings. As the global scenario is now changing towards
the use of non toxic plant products,75 development of
modern drugs from P. cablin should be emphasized. It is
also clear that much needs to be discovered, both as to
the active ingredients and their biological effects.
Furthermore, the information summarized here is
intended to serve as a reference tool to researchers in the
field of phytochemical, pharmacological studies,
identification of medicinal properties of P. cablin. Detailed
research on the chemistry and pharmacology of products
Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res., 21(2), Jul – Aug 2013; nᵒ 02, 7-15 ISSN 0976 – 044X
International
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research
Available online at
www.globalresearchonline.net
13
of plant origin are much essential and this may eventually
lead to the discovery of medicine that can be used in the
treatment of several diseases.76 The development of
these traditional systems of medicines with the
perspectives of safety, efficacy and quality will help not
only to preserve this traditional heritage but also to
rationalize the use of natural products in the health care.
Acknowledgement: We are thankful to Department of
Genetics, Osmania University; Central Institute of
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP); for providing
valuable information on importance of plant; UGC-JRF in
Engineering and Technology Division for financial support,
UGC-CAS, DST, DBT-ISLARE, DST-PURSE for guidance in
literature survey. Special thanks to my colleagues for their
valuable suggestions in preparation of the manuscript.
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Source of Support: Nil, Conflict of Interest: None.
