What counts as evidence? A personal odyssey into alternative care.
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Anecdotes as Topic↗
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Myorelaxant and antispasmodic effects of the essential oil of Alpinia speciosa on rat ileum.
The effects of the essential oil of Alpinia speciosa Schum (EOAS) on rat ileum were studied. EOAS (0.1-600 microg/mL) reversibly relaxed ileal basal tonus. Submaximal contractions induced by 60 mM KCl or acetylcholine were concentration dependently inhibited by EOAS with similar IC(50) values ( approximately 44 and 48 microg/mL, respectively). These results show that EOAS possesses both relaxant and antispasmodic actions in the ileum.
Animals↗
Antifungal activities of selected aromatic plants growing wild in Greece.
Essential oils of Origanum onites, Satureja thymbra, Salvia fruticosa (Greek sage), and Salvia pomifera subsp. calycina plants growing wild in Greece and their components carvacrol, camphor, and 1,8-cineole, were assayed for antifungal activity against 13 fungal species. Among the fungi tested were food poisoning, plant, animals and human pathogenic species. The oils presented various degrees of inhibition against all the fungi investigated. The highest and broadest activity was shown by the carvacrol content oils (O. onites and S. thymbra), while the oil of sage was the least effective. Carvacrol exhibited the highest and 1,8-cineole the lowest level of antifungal activity among the components tested.
Antifungal Agents↗
[Verification of some physical methods for the tracing of autoxidation in ethereal oils. Part 2. Control of autoxidation with the aid of dielectric constants (DC)].
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Food↗
Bioactive constituents from Turkish Pimpinella species.
A new 'phenylpropanoid', 4-(3-methyloxiran-2-yl)phenyl 2-methylbutanoate (1), a new trinorsesquiterpene, 4-(6-methylbicyclo[4.1.0]hept-2-en-7-yl)butan-2-one (2), and eight known compounds (3-10) were isolated from the essential oils of several Pimpinella species growing in Turkey. The structures of the new compounds were determined by 1D- and 2D-NMR analyses. The absolute configuration of 1 was established via comparison of its optical rotation with that of 'epoxypseudoisoeugenyl 2-methylbutyrate' (11), the absolute configuration of which was determined by chemical degradation and an appropriate Mosher ester formation. Direct bioautography revealed antifungal activity of 1 and 11 against Colletotrichum acutatum, C. fragariae, and C. gloesporioides. Subsequent evaluation of antifungal compounds in a 96-well microtiter assay showed that compounds 1 and 11 produced the most-significant growth inhibition in Phomopsis spp., Colletotrichum spp., and Botrytis cinerea. Compounds 1 and 6 displayed antimicrobial activities against Mycobacterium intracellulare, with IC50 values of 2.78 and 1.29 microM, respectively.
Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
Synthesis of enantiopure phthalides including 3-butylphthalide, a fragrance component of celery oil, and determination of their absolute configurations.
Enantiopure phthalides 2 and 5-8 were synthesized via enantioresolution of the corresponding alcohols with a chiral auxiliary of camphorsultam dichlorophthalic acid, (1S,2R,4R)-(-)-CSDP acid 3, followed by solvolysis with KOH in MeOH and the catalytic oxidation of chiral glycols with iridium complex 28. The absolute configurations of phthalides 2 and 5-8 were determined by applying the (1)H-NMR anisotropy method of MalphaNP acid (4), 2-methoxy-2-(1-naphthyl)propionic acid, to the chiral synthetic precursory alcohols. In the case of 3-phenylphthalide (R)-(-)-7, the absolute configuration determined by the (1)H-NMR anisotropy method using MalphaNP acid 4 agreed with that by the X-ray crystallographic method. By applying these methods, 3-butylphthalide (S)-(-)-2, a fragrance component of essential oil of celery, has been synthesized in an enantiopure form, and its absolute configuration was unambiguously determined.
Alcohols↗
Combined analysis of the essential oil of Chenopodium ambrosioides by GC, GC-MS and 13C-NMR spectroscopy: quantitative determination of ascaridole, a heat-sensitive compound.
A commercial sample of the essential oil of Chenopodium ambrosioides L. from Madagascar was analysed by GC, GC-MS and 13C-NMR. By GC analysis, the major constituents were found to be ascaridole (1) (41.8%), isoascaridole (2) (18.1%), p-cymene (16.2%), alpha-terpinene (9.7%) and limonene (3.8%). However, ascaridole undergoes a partial thermal isomerisation to 2 and hence the amount of 1 is under-estimated by GC analysis. The actual contents of 1 and 2 (55.3 and 4.6%, respectively) were obtained following combined analysis of the sample by GC and 13C-NMR. Several hydroxy- and polyhydroxy-menthanes were identified by 13C-NMR.
Chenopodium ambrosioides↗
Response of economically important aphids to components of Hemizygia petiolata essential oil.
The essential oil of Hemizygia petiolata Ashby (Lamiaceae) contains high levels (>70%) of the sesquiterpene (E)-beta-farnesene, the alarm pheromone for many economically important aphid species. In order to test the suitability of H. petiolata oil as a source of (E)-beta-farnesene for use in new integrated aphid control strategies, behavioural responses of pest aphid species were studied in laboratory and field experiments. In alarm pheromone assays the peach-potato aphid, Myzus persicae Sulzer, and the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harr), showed a lower level of response to the oil than expected given the high levels of (E)-beta-farnesene. It was shown that minor components in the oil, (+)-bicyclogermacrene and (-)-germacrene D, caused inhibition of the alarm response for M. persicae and A. pisum respectively. Nevertheless, in olfactometer studies the oil was directly repellent to A. pisum and the grain aphid, Sitobion avenae F. Sitobion avenae was not only repelled by (E)-beta-farnesene but also by (-)-germacrene D. Furthermore, although it was not directly repellent to M. persicae, the oil interfered with its attraction to host plant stimuli. In field plot experiments, numbers of A. pisum were significantly reduced in plots treated with a slow release formulation of the oil, when compared with control plots.
Animals↗
Evaluation of antinociceptive and antiinflammatory activities of the essential oil (EO) of Ocimum micranthum Willd. from Northeastern Brazil.
The EO of Ocimum micranthum was studied for a possible analgesic effect on the acetic acid induced writhing and formalin test in mice and antioedema activities on the carrageenan and dextran induced paw oedema in rats. The EO demonstrated antinociceptive effects, and pretreatment with naloxone did not reverse the antinociception, indicating that the opioid system is not involved. On the other hand, pretreatment with L-arginine (L-arg) reversed the antinociception, suggesting involvement of the nitric oxide (NO) system. The EO did not present an antioedematogenic effect in the carrageenan and dextran models.
Analgesics↗
Qualitative and quantitative olfactometric evaluation of different concentrations of ethanol peppermint oil solutions.
Selection of an adequate placebo is a major problem in clinical trials of Euminz(R) (10% peppermint oil/ethanol) which is used topically for the treatment of tension-type headache. This randomized, controlled, double-blind, cross-over study was performed to investigate whether there are qualitative differences between 10%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, and 0% peppermint oil. Forty-one healthy subjects participated (age range 21-28 years); they rated both intensity, and hedonic tone of the stimuli. Verbal descriptions were combined to multiple response sets (MRS). In addition, the trigeminal impact of odorants was determined. Intensity ratings and MRS "menthol like" and "alcohol/solvent" changed with stimulus concentration. However, intensity had no significant effect on hedonics, trigeminal impact, or the number of descriptive items used. When MRS "menthol like" and "alcohol/solvent" were analysed after being weighted with intensity ratings, changes in relation to stimulus concentration were lost. Thus, the differences between the five concentrations of peppermint oil were--to their largest part--due to changes in stimulus intensity. Considering the large day-to-day variability of olfactory sensitivity the present data support the hypothesis that the odour quality of 10% peppermint oil cannot be discriminated from the odour of 0.1%, 0.5%, or 1% peppermint oil when tested on separate days.
Adult↗
Enteric-coated peppermint-oil capsules in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a prospective, randomized trial.
To determine the efficacy and tolerability of an enteric-coated peppermint-oil formulation (Colpermin), we conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study in 110 outpatients (66 men/44 women; 18-70 years of age) with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Patients took one capsule (Colpermin or placebo) three to four times daily, 15-30 min before meals, for 1 month. Fifty-two patients on Colpermin and 49 on placebo completed the study. Forty-one patients on Colpermin (79%) experienced an alleviation of the severity of abdominal pain (29 were pain-free); 43 (83%) had less abdominal distension, 43 (83%) had reduced stool frequency, 38 (73%) had fewer borborygmi, and 41 (79%) less flatulence. Corresponding figures for the placebo group were: 21 patients (43%) with reduced pain (4 were pain-free), 14 (29%) with reduced distension, 16 (32%) with reduced stool frequency, 15 (31%) with fewer borborygmi, and 11 (22%) with less flatulence. Symptom improvements after Colpermin were significantly better than after placebo (P < 0.05; Mann-Whitney U-test). One patient on Colpermin experienced heartburn (because of chewing the capsules) and one developed a mild transient skin rash. There were no significant changes in liver function test results. Thus, in this trial, Colpermin was effective and well tolerated.
Adolescent↗
Effect of oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) essential oils on Trypanosoma cruzi (Protozoa: Kinetoplastida) growth and ultrastructure.
In the present work, we have investigated the effect of essential oils obtained from Origanum vulgare L. (oregano) and Thymus vulgaris L. (thyme) on growth and ultrastructure of diverse evolutive forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. Culture epimastigotes and bloodstream trypomastigotes were incubated for 24 h with different concentrations of oregano or thyme essential oils and with thymol (the main constituent of thyme), and the inhibitory concentration (IC)(50) was determined by cell counting. Crude extract of oregano essential oil inhibited epimastigote growth (IC(50)/24 h = 175 microg/ml) and also induced trypomastigote lysis (IC(50)/24 h = 115 microg/ml). Thyme essential oil presented IC(50)/24 h values of 77 microg/ml for epimastigotes and 38 mug/ml for trypomastigotes, while treatment with thymol resulted in an IC(50)/24 h of 62 microg/ml for epimastigotes and 53 microg/ml for trypomastigotes. Scanning electron microscopy of treated cells showed few morphological alterations at the plasma membrane. Observation by transmission electron microscopy showed cytoplasmic swelling with occasional morphological alterations in plasma and flagellar membrane. Our data indicate that oregano and thyme essential oils are effective against T. cruzi, with higher activity of thyme, and that thymol may be the main component responsible for the trypanocidal activity.
Animals↗
The effect of pollination on floral fragrance in thistles.
We investigated postpollination changes in fragrance composition and emission rates, as well as pollinator discrimination in hand-pollinated flower heads of two thistle species: Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) and sandhill thistle (C. repandum). Following pollination, neither species emitted any novel compounds that could function as repellents. Scent emission rates declined in pollinated plants of both species by approximately 89% within 48 hr. This decline was evident in all 13 scent components of C. arvense. Apis mellifera, the dominant pollinator in the study population of C. arvense, was nearly three times more likely to visit an unpollinated rather than a pollinated flower head. A more complex pattern was observed for C. repandum, whose scent comprised 42 compounds. Quantities of aromatic and sesquiterpenoid volatiles declined after pollination, whereas two classes of scent compounds, fatty acid derivatives and monoterperpenoids, continued to be emitted. In C. repandum, discrimination against pollinated flower heads by Papilio palamedes (its primary pollinator) was not as marked. Unpollinated control plants of both species maintained moderate levels of scent production throughout this experiment, demonstrating that senescence and floral advertisement may be delayed until pollination has occurred. We expect postpollination changes in floral scent contribute to communication between plants with generalized pollinator spectra and their floral visitors. This study provides the first field study of such a phenomenon outside of orchids.
Animals↗
Minimum inhibitory concentrations of herbal essential oils and monolaurin for gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
New, safe antimicrobial agents are needed to prevent and overcome severe bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Based on our previous experience and that of others, we postulated that herbal essential oils, such as those of origanum, and monolaurin offer such possibilities. We examined in vitro the cidal and/or static effects of oil of origanum, several other essential oils, and monolaurin on Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus anthracis Sterne, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, and Mycobacterium terrae. Origanum proved cidal to all tested organisms with the exception of B. anthracis Sterne in which it was static. Monolaurin was cidal to S. aureus and M. terrae but not to E. coli and K. pneumoniae. Unlike the other two gram-negative organisms, H. pylori were extremely sensitive to monolaurin. Similar to origanum, monolaurin was static to B. anthracis Sterne. Because of their longstanding safety record, origanum and/or monolaurin, alone or combined with antibiotics, might prove useful in the prevention and treatment of severe bacterial infections, especially those that are difficult to treat and/or are antibiotic resistant.
Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
Toxic effects of some conifer resin acids and tea tree oil on human epithelial and fibroblast cells.
The present study was undertaken to assess and compare the in vitro cytotoxic effects of three resin acid analogues: dehydrobietic acid, podocarpic acid, O-methylpodocarpic acid; an essential oil from Australia (tea tree oil); and tapped oleoresin from Thailand, on human epithelial and fibroblast cells, using a quantitative neutral red spectrophotometric assay. All of the investigated compounds except for tea tree oil exhibited a cytotoxic activity which was proportional to their concentrations and time of exposure up to 24 h, i.e. higher concentrations and longer time of exposure caused increased cell death. Dehydroabietic acid and the oleoresin were the most toxic compounds followed by O-methylpodocarpic acid, whereas podocarpic acid and tea tree oil showed a lower level of toxicity. On the basis on these findings it is concluded that an isopropyl group on the aromatic C-ring is of great importance for the cytotoxicity of the tested abietane resin acids, thus indicating that the cytotoxic activity of oleoresins most probably is caused by synergistic or additive effects of resin acids. The results from this work support the view that antibacterial activity parallels cytotoxic activity which suggests a similar mode of action, most probably exerted by membrane-associated reactions.
Abietanes↗
Insecticidal, repellent and oviposition-deterrent activity of selected essential oils against Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus.
Essential oils extracted from 10 medicinal plants were evaluated for larvicidal, adulticidal, ovicidal, oviposition-deterrent and repellent activities towards three mosquito species; Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. The essential oils of Juniperus macropoda and Pimpinella anisum were highly effective as both larvicidal and ovicidal. The essential oil of P. anisum showed toxicity against 4th instar larvae of A. stephensi and A. aegypti with equivalent LD95 values of 115.7 microg/ml, whereas it was 149.7 microg/ml against C. quinquefasciatus larvae. Essential oils of Zingiber officinale and Rosmarinus officinalis were found to be ovicidal and repellent, respectively towards the three mosquito species. The essential oil of Cinnamomum zeylanicum resulted into highest repellent (RD95) values of 49.6, 53.9 and 44.2 mg/mat against A. stephensi, A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus, respectively apart from oviposition-deterrent potential.
Animals↗
Effect of age on the distribution of oil in Eastern redcedar tree segments.
Eastern redcedar is widespread in the US and produces significant amount of biomass. Open-grown trees invade abandoned fields and compete with valuable forage species in pastures and rangelands. Value-added product development from redcedar is vital for management of eastern redcedar. Cedarwood oil is a valuable component which can be used for further value-added product development. This study examined the effect of age on the distribution of oil in redcedar tree segments. Trunks of eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) trees at different stages of growth (26-63 years old) were divided into three sections (top, center and lower). Each section was fractionated separately into bark, heartwood and sapwood segments. Heartwood and sapwood samples from each tree section were analyzed for oil content and composition. A hydrodistillation method was used for oil extraction. Volatile components of tree segments were examined by using a Gas Chromatograph-headspace analysis technique. The heartwood of eastern redcedar contained significantly higher oil than sapwood. Older trees had more oil in the heartwood than younger trees. Both redcedar bark and leaves contained significantly lower oil content than the cedarwood. There were also significant differences in the oil composition of bark, leaves and wood fractions. Cedarwood oil extraction may benefit from prior separation of tree segments prior to oil extraction. However, the economic feasibility of separation prior to an extraction process needs to be further studied. Required extra capital investment and operating costs need to be examined, as well as whether sapwood is worth processing.
Juniperus↗
Novel approaches to radiotherapy-induced skin reactions: a literature review.
Patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment will receive some degree of skin damage. Internationally there are many preventative and treatment options recommended, with varying degrees of evidence of success. This review explores the possible benefits of various plant-based treatments within the context of other novel treatments. The evidence suggests that using a hydrophilic substance such as Aloe vera gel or vegetable oil that is high in essential fatty acids, is as effective as mild steroid creams such as 1% hydrocortisone in reducing the severity of reactions. Additionally with plant-based treatments there does not appear to be side effects such as may occur with steroids. There remains great scope for further studies either replicating some of these current studies or exploring other options such as the use of essential oils or other herbal extracts.
Administration, Topical↗