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PubMed1995

Induction of protein droplet (alpha 2 mu-globulin) nephropathy in male rats after short-term dosage with 1,8-cineole and l-limonene.

As part of a series of short-term studies on peppermint oil constituents for their possible induction of the encephalopathy found with peppermint oil, 1,8-cineole and l-limonene were studied. Groups of 10 male Wistar rats were given 0, 500, or 1000 mg 1,8-cineole/kg body wt./day or 0, 800, or 1600 mg l-limonene/kg body wt./day for 28 days. 1,8-Cineole and l-limonene both induced accumulation of protein droplets containing alpha 2 mu-globulin in proximal tubular epithelial cells in male rats. These results suggest that both 1,8-cineole and l-limonene possibly belong to the group of chemicals characterized by their induction of excessive alpha 2 mu-globulin accumulation. Neither of the 2 substances induced encephalopathy.

Alpha-Globulins↗
PubMed2004

Direct resistively heated column gas chromatography (Ultrafast module-GC) for high-speed analysis of essential oils of differing complexities.

This study applies Ultrafast module-GC (UFM-GC) with direct resistively heated columns to routine analysis of a group of essential oils of differing complexities (chamomile, peppermint, rosemary and sage). Essential oils were analysed by conventional GC with conventional inner diameter (i.d.) columns (0.25 mm) of different lengths (5 and 25 m long) and by Fast GC and Ultrafast module-GC with narrow bore columns (0.1 mm i.d., 5 m long). Column performance were evaluated and compared through their Grob test, separation number and peak capacity. Ultrafast module-GC was successful in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of essential oils of different compositions with analysis times between 40 s and 2 min versus 20-60 min required by conventional GC. Critical pairs or groups of components were separated by carefully tuning selectivity of the stationary phase to compensate for loss of efficiency due to the use of short columns and high temperature rates. The Ultrafast module-GC results of peppermint e.o. analyses were also validated and compared to those obtained by conventional GC; by measuring precision over time (i.e. repeatability and intermediate precision) and accuracy. Ultrafast module-GC showed a good separation reproducibility affording reliable component identification through the relative retention times and quantitative determination through normalised peak areas. Accuracy data also showed that Ultrafast module-GC and conventional GC normalised areas and areas percentage were perfectly comparable.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed2006

Giardia lamblia: the effects of extracts and fractions from Mentha x piperita Lin. (Lamiaceae) on trophozoites.

Giardia lamblia is a parasite that causes giardiasis in humans and other mammals. The common treatment includes different classes of drugs, which were described to produce unpleasant side effects. Mentha x piperita, popularly known as peppermint, is a plant that is frequently used in the popular medicine to treat gastrointestinal symptoms. We examined the effects of crude extracts and fractions from peppermint against G. lamblia (ATCC 30888) on the basis of trophozoite growth, morphology and adherence studies. The methanolic, dichloromethane and hexanic extracts presented IC(50) values of 0.8, 2.5 and 9.0microg/ml after 48h of incubation, respectively. The aqueous extract showed no effect against the trophozoites with an IC(50)>100microg/ml. The aqueous fraction presented a moderate activity with an IC(50) of 45.5microg/ml. The dichloromethane fraction showed the best antigiardial activity, with an IC(50) of 0.75microg/ml after 48h of incubation. The morphological and adhesion assays showed that this fraction caused several alterations on plasma membrane surface of the parasite and inhibited the adhesion of G. lamblia trophozoites. Cytotoxic assays showed that Mentha x piperita presented no toxic effects on the intestinal cell line IEC-6. Our results demonstrated antigiardial activity of Mentha x piperita, indicating its potential value as therapeutic agent against G. lamblia infections.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Olfactory facilitation of dual-task performance.

We investigated the differential effects of olfactory stimulation on dual-task performance under conditions of varying task difficulty. Participants detected visually presented target digits from amongst a stream of visually presented distractor letters in a rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) task. At the same time, participants also made speeded discrimination responses to vibrotactile stimuli presented on the front or back of their torso. The response mapping was either compatible or incompatible (i.e., lifting their toes for front vibrations and their heel for back vibrations, or vice versa, respectively). Synthetic peppermint odor or clean air (control) was delivered periodically for 35 s in every 315 s. The results showed a significant performance improvement in the presence of peppermint odor (as compared to air) when the response mapping was incompatible (i.e., in the difficult task) but not in the compatible condition (i.e., in the easy task). Our results provide the first empirical demonstration that olfactory stimulation can facilitate tactile performance, and also highlight the potential modulatory role of task-difficulty in odor-induced task performance facilitation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory properties of STW 5 (Iberogast) and its components.

A combination of ethanolic extracts from nine medicinal plants is successfully used in STW 5 (Iberogast((R))) for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. To elucidate possible modes of action, the focus of this study is on antioxidant properties of the phytomedicine STW 5. In fact, functional gastrointestinal diseases, such as non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) and irritable bowel syndrome, are often initiated by or correlated to inflammatory processes, where oxidants such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial role. Prominent in vivo sources of ROS generation are represented by the enzymes xanthine oxidase (XOD) or myeloperoxidase (MPO). Applying these enzymes in models in vitro, we show that STW 5 and its components possess strong antioxidant activities. Depending on the model investigated, even pro-oxidant activities of single components of STW 5 could be observed. Interestingly, these effects were absent in STW 5, indicating cooperation between the components. Moreover, if one of the component extracts of STW 5 is omitted, the antioxidant activity is reduced. Thus we conclude that all the single extracts combined in STW 5 are of importance for the therapeutic effect, working in concert. The component of STW 5 performing best in vitro differed with the model investigated, respectively, with ROS and ROS generators. In the XOD system, the extracts of lemon balm leaf and peppermint leaf showed the best antioxidant result, whereas concerning MPO driven chlorination reactions, bitter candy tuft extract was the most efficient antioxidant. Best protection against peroxynitrite induced oxidation of methionine like sulfur-compounds exhibited the STW 5 components lemon balm leaf, Matricaria flower and peppermint leaf.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗
PubMed2003

Molecular evaluation of a spearmint mutant altered in the expression of limonene hydroxylases that direct essential oil monoterpene biosynthesis.

Gamma irradiation of Scotch spearmint created a mutant line, 643-10-74, which has an altered essential oil reminiscent of peppermint because the monoterpene metabolites in the oil glands of the mutant are predominantly oxygenated at the C3 position of the p-menthane ring instead of the C6 position normally found in spearmint. The limonene hydroxylase genes responsible for directing the regiochemistry of oxygenation were cloned from Scotch spearmint and mutant 643 and expressed in Escherichia coli. The limonene bydroxylase from the wild-type parent hydroxylated the C6 position while the enzyme from the mutant oxygenated the C3 position. Comparison of the amino acid sequences with other limonene hydroxylases showed that the mutant enzyme was more closely related to the peppermint limonene-3-hydroxylases than to the spearmint limonene-6-hydroxylases. Because of the sequence differences between the Scotch spearmint and mutant 643 limonene hydroxylases, it is most likely that the mutation did not occur within the structural gene for limonene hydroxylase but rather at a regulatory site within the genome that controls the expression of one or the other regiospecific variants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Hydroquinone derivatives and monoterpenoids from the Neotropical liverwort Plagiochila rutilans.

The structure of a prenylbenzene derivative isolated previously from a Cuban specimen of the liverwort Plagiochila rutilans is revised to 2-methoxy-6-prenylhydroquinone. The hydroquinone was observed as a prominent component of the NMR and GC-MS fingerprints of five recent specimens of the liverwort from Bolivia, Brazil and Costa Rica. The corresponding quinone was observed as a minor component. Two new methylated derivatives of the hydroquinone were observed as prominent components in one specimen from Bolivia; these were isolated, characterized, and their structures elucidated as 2-methoxy-1-O-methyl-6-prenylhydroquinone and 2-methoxy-4-O-methyl-6-prenylhydroquinone using 1H NMR spectroscopy. The liverwort has a strong peppermint-like odour that is caused by the presence of several menthane monoterpenoids, including notably pulegone, menthone, isomenthone. terpinolene and limonene. One of the Costa Rican specimens contained considerable amounts of the new lactone 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1,6-olide as the principal monoterpenoid in place of pulegone. Two Costa Rican specimens distinguished morphologically as Plagiochila standleyi (a taxon closely related to P. rutilans and reduced elsewhere to a variety of that species) are characterized by large amounts of 3-hydroxy-4'-methoxybibenzyl. P. standleyi was also reported to have a peppermint-like odour in the field. Menthane monoterpenoids were again responsible but in this case the major components were limonene, beta-phellandrene, alpha-terpinene and the endoperoxide ascaridole.

Benzene Derivatives↗
PubMed2001

Effect of Mentha x piperita essential oil and monoterpenes on cucumber root membrane potential.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) essential oil and its main components were assessed for their ability to interfere with plant plasma membrane potentials. Tests were conducted on root segments isolated from etiolated seedlings of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Increasing the concentration of peppermint essential oil from 5 to 50 ppm caused a decrease in membrane potential (Vm) hyperpolarization of 10-3 mV, whereas concentrations from 100 up to 900 ppm caused an increasing depolarization of Vm (from 5 to 110 mV). When tested at 300 ppm, (+)-menthyl acetate, (-)-limonene and 1,8-cineole did not exert any significant effect on V(m), whereas (+)-menthofuran (73 mV), (+)-pulegone (85 mV), (+)-neomenthol (96 mV), (-)-menthol (105 mV) and (-)-menthone (111 mV) showed increased ability to depolarize V(m). A plot of log of octanol-water partition coefficient (K(ow)) against their depolarizing effect showed a significant negative correlation, suggesting that among all monoterpenoids increased membrane depolarization depends on lower K(ow). However, among monoterpene ketones, alcohols and furans, increased membrane depolarization is associated with a decline in water solubility. The possible effect of monoterpenoids on membrane ion fluxes is also discussed, since changes in the bioelectric potential of cells imply changes in the flux of ions across the plasma membrane

Cucumis sativus↗
PubMed2002

Determination of selected trace elements in herbs and their infusions.

The following macro- and microelements were determined in the leaf of peppermint (Mentha piperitae folium) and nettle (Urticae folium) (as tea bags) and in their infusions: As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, I, Li, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, V and Zn. The determinations were performed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). From all the determined microelements the highest content found was that of iron, 244 and 107 mg/kg in the leaf of peppermint and nettle, respectively. However, the lowest content found was that of cobalt, 0.10 and 0.08 mg/kg for the leaf of mint and nettle, respectively. The most readily water eluting elements were strontium, selenium and iodine, the most difficult ones - barium and iron.

Food Contamination↗
PubMed1988

Exposure to novel odors induces opioid-mediated analgesia in the land snail, Cepaea nemoralis.

Land snails, Cepaea nemoralis, that were exposed for 1-30 min to a novel odor of either peppermint extract or vegetable juice concentrate displayed an increase in the latency of their nociceptive response to an aversive thermal stimulus (40 degrees C, hot-plate). This "analgesic" response, which entailed the elevation of the fully extended foot in hydrated snails, was evident directly after exposure to the novel chemostimuli and lasted for 15-30 min. This novelty-induced analgesia was blocked by the exogenous opiate antagonist naloxone. Analgesia was not observed in snails that were exposed to the same olfactory cue 4 or 24 h later, but was evident when the alternate novel odor (peppermint or vegetable juice) was presented. However, a significant analgesia was displayed by snails that were reexposed to their initial olfactory stimulus after 48-72 h. These findings indicate that exposure to a novel olfactory stimulus can activate endogenous opioid systems and induce an analgesic response in mollusks.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Infusion of the metabotropic receptor agonist, DCG-IV, into the main olfactory bulb induces olfactory preference learning in rat pups.

DCG-IV, a type 2 metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR2) agonist, was infused into the main olfactory bulb of 1-week-old pups exposed to peppermint odor. A preference for peppermint was demonstrated 24 h later. The data support the proposal that disinhibition at dendrodendritic synapses between granule cells and mitral cells is a critical component of olfactory memory formation in the rat pup olfactory bulb as well as in the accessory olfactory bulb of adult rodents.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Determination of menthol and menthol glucuronide in human urine by gas chromatography using an enzyme-sensitive internal standard and flame ionization detection.

The rate of peppermint oil absorption and excretion, following peroral administration, was determined by measuring urinary levels of menthol glucuronide. Menthol, a major component of peppermint oil, was liberated from its glucuronide metabolite by treating raw urine with beta-D-glucuronidase (Patella vulgata). Phenyl glucuronide was employed as an enzyme-sensitive internal standard. Menthol and phenol were recovered by ethyl acetate extraction and quantitated by capillary gas chromatography using flame ionization detection. Standard curves were linear between 25 and 250 micrograms/ml with a detection limit (signal-to-noise ratio = 2) of 0.25 microgram/ml. Assay precision was shown to be +/- 1.2% relative standard deviation.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed2002

Determination of the required HLB values of some essential oils.

The required HLB values of eucalyptus, lippia and peppermint essential oils were determined using droplet size analysis and turbidimetric method on emulsions prepared with emulsifier blends of varying HLB values. The percentage increase in mean droplet diameter and the degree of dispersion of droplet sizes were determined before and after centrifugation of the emulsions. The HLB value of the emulsion with the least dispersion ratio or the least percentage increase in mean droplet diameter was taken as the required HLB of the respective essential oil. The turbidimetric method was validated by the existence of correlation (r=-0.958) between the mean droplet diameter and the turbidity of the emulsions. The turbidity curve went through a maximum at the HLB value where the mean droplet diameter was least. Based on these methods, the required HLB values of eucalyptus, lippia and peppermint oils were determined as 9.8, 12.1 and 12.3, respectively (P<0.05). Liquid paraffin was used as a reference standard and its required HLB fell within literature value.

Centrifugation↗
PubMed2004

Complementary and alternative interventions in asthma, allergy, and immunology.

OBJECTIVE: To review which herbs are most commonly used as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for treatment of asthma, allergy, and immunologic conditions. DATA SOURCES: A review of the literature was performed using the PubMed and OVID databases searching the keywords asthma, allergy, and CAM to identify studies published between 1980 and 2003 that focused on Echinacea (Echinacea augustifolia, Echinacea pallida, and Echinacea purpurea); garlic (Allium); angelica; chamomile; ephedra; gingko; grape seed extract; licorice root (Glycyrrhiza); St. John's wort (Hypericum); kava kava (Piper); peppermint oil and leaf (Mentha); stinging nettle (Urtica); and ginseng (Panax) published in the English and German literature. STUDY SELECTION: Studies included in vitro and in vivo clinical trials and case reports selected according to the expert opinion of the author. RESULTS: Echinacea is one of the most common herbs used to treat symptoms of the "common cold" or upper respiratory tract allergies. Although no common drug interactions have been reported, there is a risk of hepatotoxicity, exacerbation of allergies and asthma, and anaphylactic reactions. Garlic is primarily used for cardiovascular health and relief of cough, colds, and rhinitis. Adverse effects commonly include gastrointestinal disturbances, change in body odor through the sweat and breath, and rarely allergic reactions or hypoglycemia. Other CAM agents, including angelica, German chamomile flower, ephedra, gingko, grape seed extract, licorice root, St. John's wort, kava kava rhizome, peppermint, stinging nettle, and ginseng, are also associated with significant adverse effects. CONCLUSION: The specialty of allergy and immunology has seen the second largest increase in the popularity of CAM (second only to practitioners who treat lower back pain). Almost all of the CAM interventions have displayed adverse effects, usually in the form of a hypersensitivity reaction. Allergists and clinical immunologists need to become more knowledgeable about CAM so that they can inform patients about the use and possible abuse of these modalities.

Asthma↗
PubMed1996

The potential effectiveness of essential oils as a treatment for headlice, Pediculus humanus capitis.

Essential oils of aniseed, cinnamon leaf, red thyme, tea tree, peppermint, nutmeg, rosemary, and pine were tested in vitro against lice, Pediculus humanus. All the oils except for rosemary and pine were found to be effective in the laboratory when applied in an alcoholic solution and followed by a rinse the following morning in an essential oil/vinegar/water mixture. Peppermint and nutmeg were only used as a blend rather than as individual oils. Problems of solubility and toxicity are discussed, as are possible mechanisms of action. Phenols, phenolic ethers, ketones, and oxides (1,8-cineole) appear to be the major toxic components of these essential oils when used on lice. Aldehydes and sesquiterpenes may also play a role.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Feasibility study of repeated harvesting of menthol from biologically viable Mentha x piperata using ultrasonic extraction.

To potentially replace the conventional destructive extraction process, we have shown the feasibility of devising a novel technique that uses ultrasound to nonlethally and repeatedly extract menthol from biologically viable peppermint plants (Mentha x piperita). Our results show that plants ultrasonicated for 1 h at 22 degrees C in a standard 40 kHz ultrasonic bath could release approximately 17.8 microg of menthol per gram of leaf tissue (2% of total product). The amount of menthol release increases with the time of treatment and is greatly affected by the temperature of the ultrasonic bath water. An increase from 2% to 12% of total product was observed when the temperature was increased from 22 degrees C to 39 degrees C. When the temperature effects were isolated, the mechanism of the product release was found to be that of cavitation. The treated plants remained viable and were ready for the subsequent ultrasound extraction after approximately 4 days of recuperation. However, the amount of product released is reduced in subsequent extractions. Scanning electron micrographs indicate that there are two mechanisms involved in extraction: (1) the diffusion of product through the cuticle of peppermint glandular trichomes and (2) the exudation of the product from broken and damaged trichomes. This study has shown the possibility of using an on-line ultrasonic, nondestructive extraction method to continuously release intracellular plant metabolites from the plants while maintaining the plant's viability.

Equipment Design↗
PubMed1999

Conceptual design of LED-based hydroponic photobioreactor for high-density plant cultivation

A novel hydroponic photobioreactor is proposed for high-density cultivation of plants. This cultivation can be achieved by growing plants on a floatable platform, allowing the roots to directly contact a continuously aerated nutrient solution. Plant growth of Mentha x piperita (peppermint) can be shown to strongly correlate with the light intensity at incident light intensities between 0 and 650 &mgr;mol m(-)(2) s(-)(1). For a constant incident light intensity (I(0) = 420 &mgr;mol m(-)(2) s(-)(1)), the overall specific growth rates of these plants are found to be strongly dependent on the plant density. They range from 0.023 to 0.075 d(-)(1) for plants grown at a density range from 16 to 256 plants m(-)(2). A simple mathematical model is presented that allows one to predict these effects of light intensity and plant density on peppermint growth. Light delivery is derived from the modification of Beer-Lambert's law. From this, the relationship between the light extinction coefficient and plant density can be experimentally determined. The light transport can then be coupled with plant growth kinetics under light-limiting conditions. The predicted growth results agree reasonably well with most experimental results from a growth period of 17-20 days. On the basis of these simulation results, we suggest that a more efficient way of delivering light to this photobioreactor can be attained by supplying light from both the top and the bottom of the plant shoots. The proposed design takes advantage of the small size and low weight of light emitting diodes, which allow them to be mounted on platforms for delivering light closer to the plants.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Antimicrobial screening of Mentha piperita essential oils.

Essential oils of peppermint Mentha piperita L. (Lamiaceae), which are used in flavors, fragrances, and pharmaceuticals, were investigated for their antimicrobial properties against 21 human and plant pathogenic microorganisms. The bioactivity of the oils menthol and menthone was compared using the combination of in vitro techniques such as microdilution, agar diffusion, and bioautography. It was shown that all of the peppermint oils screened strongly inhibited plant pathogenic microorganisms, whereas human pathogens were only moderately inhibited. Chemical compositions of the oils were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Using the bioautography assay, menthol was found to be responsible for the antimicrobial activity of these oils.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗