A Review on Pogostemon patchouli
Priya Dongare*, Swati Dhande, Dr. Vilasrao Kadam
Department of Pharmacology, Bharati
Vidyapeeth’s College of Pharmacy, Sector-8, C.B.D., Belapur, Navi Mumbai- 400614, India.
*Corresponding Author E-mail: priyadongare91@gmail.com
ABSTRACT:
Pogostemon patchouli,
an aromatic plant, commonly known as “Patchouli” is a member of mint family, Lamiaceae used worldwide for its essential oil. It has got
commercial importance and in Ayurvedic system of
medicine this plant is commonly used in digestive conditions, nervous and skin
disorders. Phytochemical studies have shown presence of many valuable compounds
such as sesquiterpenes, flavonoids,
tannins, phenolic acids which are responsible for
wide spectrum of pharmacological activities including, antioxidant,
anti-inflammatory, antiemetic, antiseptic, astringent, diuretic, febrifuge,
platelet activation inhibitory, antidepressant, anti-influenza, sedative,
tonic, cytotoxic and insect repellant properties.
Thus present review explores the ethanomedicinal,
pharmacological or traditional knowledge along with morphological phytochemical and toxicological reports of Pogostemon patchouli and aims at gathering the
research work undertaken till date on this plant in order to provide sufficient
baseline information for future works and commercial exploitation.
KEYWORDS: Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Lamiaceae,
Patchouli essential oil, Pogostemon
patchouli
INTRODUCTION:
Pogostemon patchouli (Blanco) Benth.
grows to heights of over two to three feet and is bushy in appearance. The name
derived from the Tamil word “patchai” meaning 'green
leaf'. The patchouli essential oil is obtained mainly from distillation of
leaves which has been used in perfumes and fragrances since the earliest times.
Traditionally it is used as an insect repellant for shipping fabric.
In Asian countries, such as Japan and China, this herb
has been used traditionally as an energizer, tonic, febrifuge (a medication
used to dispel fevers), antiseptic and insecticide for long. Pharmacological
activities of this oil have been demonstrated repeatedly in modern research,
including its antiemetic,[1, 2] antibacterial and antifungal
activities.[3-5] Another major use of the herb, especially in the
East, is its exploitation for manufacturing perfumes due to its strong fixative
properties as well as aromatic incense and scented industrial products. The oil
is used in scenting of soaps, cosmetics, after-shave lotions, detergents and
many fancy products. In very low concentration (2 ppm),
the oil is used to flavor foods, beverages, candy and baked products.
Plant specifically consists of sesquiterpenes
and phenolic compounds that are mainly responsible
for its medicinal activity. Patchouli alcohol (PA), a tricyclic
sesquiterpene, is the major chemical constituent and
is primarily responsible for the intensive odor of essential oil.[6] In
recent years, PA has been widely studied as a cognition enhancer, learning
impairment attenuating and neuroprotective agent.[7,
8] In addition Patchouli oil has a variety of pharmacological activities
including analgesic, anti-inflammatory,[9-12] antiemetic, antiallergic,[13] immunomodulatory[14]
and antimicrobial actions,[15] anti-IFV,[16] and
radical-scavenging.[17]
The plant has an economic importance and is needed to
be studied for different medicinal properties such as organ protective action,
major diseases related to inflammation or nervous disorders. So the plant can
be evaluated based on its phytochemical profile to
support its traditional use in Ayurvedic system of
medicine.
HISTORICAL
PERSPECTIVE:
Patchouli oil from Pogostemon patchouli
(PP) is a unique essential oil from India, where it is known as puchaput.
It was popular due to its musky, earthy fragrance during the 1800's in Europe,
and again during the 1960's in the U.S. In Victorian England, people would
buy imported Indian cashmere shawls only if they smelled like patchouli. Its
scent proved the shawls had been protected from moths during shipment.
The patchouli leaves have been used by the Chinese
silk merchants in the 18th and 19th centuries to protect their merchandise from
decay. These Chinese traders used to place the patchouli leaves between the
bundles of silk with a view to protect them from damage by eggs laid by moths
on the fabric. Quite a few historians guess that patchouli’s association with
luxurious merchandise from the East prompted many Europeans of that period to
believe that the scent prepared from the herb was a very lavish item. According
to a number of accounts regarding the British royalty, patchouli was made use
of in this manner in the linen chests of Queen Victoria.
Botanical description and
vernacular names
Synonyms:
Betonica officinalis,
Mentha Cablin, Pogostemon mollis, Pogostemon patchouli, Pogostemon napetoids, Pogostemon battakianus, Pogostemon patchouly, Pogostemon comosus, Pogostemon javanicus
Vernacular names of Pogostemon patchouli
are listed in Table 1.
Table 1: vernacular names of Pogostemon patchouli
India |
Pachi (Sanskrit), Pachouli (Hindi), Pachapat, Patchouli
(Bengali), Pachila, Kattam
(Malyalam), Pachetene
(Kannada), Pacha, Sugandhi
Pandi (Gujarati), Panch
(Marathi) |
Malaysia |
Dhulam Wangi, Tilam
Wangi,Nilam |
English |
Patchouli |
Indonesia |
Nilam Wangi,Nilam,Singalon |
Thailand |
Phimsen |
Philipines |
Kablin |
China |
Guang Huo
Xiang |
Korea |
Hyangdulkkaephul |
French |
Patchouli |
Spanich |
Pachuli |
PP is delightfully aromatic herb with erect stems forming square
growing up to 1-1.5 meter high, which mature into round, woody, brown branches.
Leaf Morphology:
It’s an evergreen perennial
bush with large green decussate, approximately 10 cm long and 2 cm broad, ovate
and stalked leaves. The leaf margins are slightly lobed and lobs have
crenate-serrate teeth. The lobes and apex of the leaves are obtuse. On the
undersurface of the leaves along with the ribs there are numerous Trichomes. These trichomes on the
epidermis of leaves are the main accumulation sites of essential oil. Fresh
leaves have very little of the patchouli scent, which only develops after
fermentation. The picture of herb is given figure 1. Freshly cut leaves contain
0.25 – 0.75% oil, varying with local cultivars, age and stem position. Leaves
are normally dried before distilling and lose 80 – 85% moisture, while
naturally dried leaves yield 1.8 – 2.5% oil when distilled by small producers,
but to 5% in modern plants.[18]
Figure 1. Photograph of Pogostemon patchouli
Floral morphology of PP under
stereoscope:
Flowers in verticillasters,
in terminal unbranched spikes, Calyx tubular, 6-8 mm
long, glabrous inside, densely villous outside, Corolla 8-13 mm long, upper lip
3-lobed, 2 mm long, purple and white at margin, lower lip entire, 1.5 mm long,
white; tube white outside; puberulous. Stamens 4, exserted, white; filaments 6-10 mm long, pale purple
upside, white downside, adnate at different heights
at the middle of corolla tube, glabrous at middle, puberulous
at base. Pistil 12 mm long, pale purple upside, white downside; styles exserted, glabrous, white; stigma bifid or trilobated, 2 mm long. As the flowers fade, the fine, brown
seeds form in small capsules that look like tiny knots on the spike.[19]
The roots are extensive, branching and, in mature plants which are
allowed to grow unchecked, penetrating to some depth. Leaves, flowers and seeds
freely give off their aroma.
Leaf Microscopy:
The internal secretory structures
responsible for the production of the essential oils were investigated to
determine their position in the lamina, margin, and also in the petioles. Low-power microscopic
examination showed that there are approximately ten times more glandular trichomes on the leaf lamina than on the petiole; the abaxial epidermis of the leaf has twice as many as the adaxial epidermis. Although most densely distributed along
the veins, the glandular trichomes are present over
the whole leaf surface with decreasing frequency towards the leaf edges.[20]
Table 2: Phytoconstituents from Pogostemon patchouli [32.33]
Secondary metabolites |
Chemical constituents |
Activities of secondary metabolite |
Sesquiterpenes |
Patchouli
alcohol, cycloseychellene, pogostol,
norpatchoulenol, cadinene,
α-patchoulene, β-patchoulene,
seychellene α-bulnsene,
α-guaiene, β -elemene,
α- humulene, caryophyllene
|
Antioxidant,
anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet aggregatory,
antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial, cicatrisant,
cooling, grounding, sedative (low dose) |
Sesquiterpene alkaloids |
Patchouli-pyridine,
epiguaipyridine, guaipyridene |
-- |
Oxygenated
sesquiterpenes |
1α,
5α-epoxy-α-guaiene, 1,10-epoxy-alphabulnesene, epoxycaryophyllene |
-- |
Phenolic compounds, Flavonoids, flavonoid glucosides |
Eugenol, rhamnetin,
apigenin,, Lichochalcone
A, ombuine, pachypodol, kumatakenin, 7, 4’-di-o-methyleriodictyol, 7, 3’, 4’-tri-
o-methyleriodictyol, 3, 7,
4’-tri-o-methylkaemferol, |
Antiseptic,
antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, Antimutagenic |
General habitat and distribution
The family Lamiaceae (Synonym. Labiateae) to which the genus Pogostemon
belongs, is one of the ten largest families of flowering plants, comprising 9
subfamilies, 200 genera and about 3200 species. The 40 species of the genus Pogostemon are mainly native to South East Asia bordering
on China, with 20 also occurring in India.[18] The plant is native
to tropical regions of Asia, and is now extensively cultivated in China,
Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Mauritius, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam,
as well as West Africa, but only India, Brazil, Taiwan and Seychelles
established commercial oil production.[21]
Phytochemical studies
A number of investigations have been carried out on
the composition of the essential oil of PP and the presence of some sesquiterpenoids has been reported.[23-26] Patchouli
oil is unique because it consists of over 24 different sesquiterpenes,
rather than a blend of different mono-, sesqui- and di-terpene compounds.[27-29] Sesquiterpenoids
frequently occur as components of plant essential oils and have been shown to
have various biological activities. Also, several flavonoids
and alkaloids have been isolated and identified from PP.[30] PP
contains cytotoxic chalcon
and anti-mutagenic flavones.[31] Phytoconstituents
from PP are enlisted in Table 2.
Ethanomedicinal uses
PP is used by traditional physicians in treating the
common cold, nausea and diarrhea and is applied topically to treat headaches and
fever.[34] Its therapeutic functions in Chinese medicine are to
remove dampness, relieve summer heat and exterior syndrome, stop vomiting and
stimulate appetite.[35] Patchouli has also been used traditionally
for intestinal disorders.[36]
In several Asian nations, Patchouli is added in herbal
medications having a status of an antidepressant, aphrodisiac and antiseptic.
The essential oil obtained from patchouli is utilized in aromatherapy for
healing skin disorders. It is commonly believed that patchouli possesses a
recovering or renewing impact on the quality of the skin and aids in dispelling
skin conditions like eczema and acne. Some herbalists also recommend the
essential oil for treating medical conditions, such as hemorrhoids and varicose
veins.
According to traditional medicine, the herb and the
essential oil obtained from it possess numerous benefits for the health; the
aroma of the flowers is made use of to encourage relaxation. In the East Asian
nations, patchouli forms a significant element in production of aromatic
incense sticks. In addition, manufacturers of air fresheners, laundry
detergents, paper towels and other similar products use the aroma of the plant
to add fragrance to their products. Chemical analysis of the essential oil
obtained from patchouli has revealed that it contains two significant elements
nor-patchoulenol and patchoulol.
It has been extensively used in cosmetic and oral hygiene industries to scent
perfumes and flavor toothpaste.
PP is one of the widely used
traditional Chinese medicines; it has a selective prohibition effect on dermatophytes and a strong prohibitory effect on Crytococus neoformans, Chaetomium globosum, and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis,
indicating the promise to cure the pneumonia and the chronic meningitis caused
by intercurrent infections of these funguses within
8–30% AIDS patients.[37-40]
PP has been used as a traditional medicine in India
for over 20 centuries, the leaves and roots are used as antistress,
anti-inflammatory, astringent, carminative, diuretic, fungicide, insecticide
and sedative. The plant was found to have protective effect on MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,
2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine) induced neurotoxicity and
ROS (reactive oxygen species) scavenging potential in oxidant-induced cell
death of human neuroglioma cells.[17]
In Urguary, infusion of
leaves is used for nervous troubles and roots are considered stimulant.
Crushed leaves are applied for Arthritis and
rheumatism. Leaves and tops employed in baths; used for antirheumatic
action. Infusion of fresh leaves is given for dysmenorrhea;
also as emmenagogue. In India, Infusion of leaves
dried flowering tops or roots are used as diuretic and carminative, it is used
along with Ocimum sanctum for scanty urination and
biliousness.
In Malaysia and Japan, it is used as antidote for
venomous snake and insect bites.[41]
Apart from its use in perfume
manufacturing and cosmetics industry, the patchouli
is known to have a stimulating effect on the pituitary gland and the nervous
system. Patchouli helps treat anxiety, nervous disorders and other
stress-related conditions. It
has been observed that the use of this essential oil helps uplift the mood and
reduces stress. It is even now popular oil in aromatherapy. Using this oil in
the diffuser helps create an atmosphere that is relaxing and free from
stressful vibes. Patchouli helps in reducing inflammation or fever which makes
it a very effective antiphlogistic. When used
externally, it can help treat wounds and infection. It also helps in stopping
the wounds from turning septic. Patchouli essential oil enhances muscle, skin
and nerve contractions. This improves the gum hold on teeth, reduces hair fall,
decreases muscle looseness and stops skin for sagging. The astringent in this
herbal oil reduces bleeding by increasing blood vessel contraction.[42]
Patchouli essential oil has spicy and musky fragrance
that helps in keeping body odor at bay. It
is diuretic increasing the frequency of urination and help in moving
fluids faster from the body while taking toxins along with it. The diuretic
properties of patchouli improves the health by lowering the blood pressure,
improving appetite, reducing cholesterol level as well as expulsion of toxins
from the body. It is also good for treating bad breath and halitosis thus
added to mouthwash or gargling solutions for a fresher breath.[43]
People from older times knew about the insecticidal
use of patchouli essential oil. Although it has a sweet aroma, it also helps
keep insects and mosquitoes away. It is used in many mosquito repellent sprays,
lotions and fumigants. Some people add few drops of patchouli essential oil in
the water used to wash clothes to kill any germs in it. Dried leaves of patchouli
plant are also kept with woolen clothes to keep it safe from pests.
Analytical techniques
With the advantages of high performance, sensitivity,
and stability, Gas chromatography is the first choice to identify the medicinal
materials that are rich in volatile oil substances.[44,45] Chinese
herbal medicine is gaining increasing popularity worldwide for health promotion
and adjuvant therapy. Thus, selective and efficient analytical methods are
required not only for quality assurance but also for authentication of the
plant material. In china PA is used as a chemical marker required by law for
the quality control of PP and patchouli oil (PO).[34]Quantitative
analysis of herb was done by two-dimensional (2D) GC–MS with time of flight
(TOF) analyzer.[36]
Pharmacological activities
ROS scavenger activity (Antioxidant activity):
A study was undertaken to examine the
efficacy of PP, a well-known herb in Korean traditional medicine, on
ROS-induced brain cell injury. Result concluded that PP effectively protected
human neuroglioma cell line A172 against both the
necrotic and apoptotic cell death induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).
It significantly prevented depletion of cellular ATP and activation of poly
ADP-ribose polymerase induced by H2O2. The preservation
of functional integrity of mitochondria was also confirmed by 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-
2-thiazyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Furthermore, PP significantly
prevented H2O2 induced release of cytochrome
C into cytosol.[46, 17]
Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities:
Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of PPMeOH (Pogostemon patchouli
methanol extract) were evaluated using acetic acid -induced writhing response,
formalin test and Carrageenan-induced mice paw edema.
Experimental results indicated two possible mechanisms associated with
anti-inflammatory effect. One is reducing the amount of AA (arachidonic
acid) transformed to PGs (prostaglandins) by suppressing protein and mRNA
expression of some inflammatory mediators including TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-α,
IL (interleukin)-1β, iNOS ( inducible nitric
oxide synthase) and COX (cyclooxygenase)-2
thus PGE2 (prostaglandin E2). The other is cleaning away
free radicals by increasing the activity of anti-oxidant enzymes, such as SOD
(superoxide dismutase), GRx (glutathione reductase), and GPx (glutathione peroxidase).[9-12] The exact mechanism by which
it exerts analgesic effect was related to its anti-inflammatory effect and this
serves as a possible rationale for use of PP in traditional medicine for
inflammation.
Antiemetic activity:
PP is one of the traditional Chinese medicines used
mainly for the treatment of dyspepsia, vomiting, diarrhea and poor appetite. In
a study, n-hexane extract of PP was examined for antiemetic activity induced by
copper sulphate (CuSO4) in young chicks and
it showed the highest antiemetic activity (58.6%) as compared to chloroform,
methanol and water extract, where PA contained abundantly in PP (> 0.1 %)
may play a main role in antiemetic effect clinically in view of its traditional
use in Chinese medicine. . It is known that inward Ca2+ influxes
through the cell membranes may induce excessive excitation of smooth muscles,
and excessive contraction of digestive organ muscles may cause vomiting and
diarrhea. Therefore, the Ca2+ antagonist is expected to alleviate
those symptoms by depressing excessive contraction of digestive organ muscles.
It has been reported that PA showed Ca2+ antagonist activity in vitro. These results indicate that
the antiemetic activity of PA may be due to depressing excessive contraction of
digestive organ muscles by inhibition of inward Ca2+ influx through
the cell membranes. In addition to it pogostol,
stigmast-4en-3-one, retusin and pachypodol
previously isolated from the n-hexane extract also showed antiemetic activity.[1]
Platelet inhibition activity:
α-Bulnesene is a sesquiterpenoid isolated from PP, was found to be a novel
PAF (platelet activating factor) antagonist. The activity is evaluated by
performing [3H] PAF receptor binding assay, measurement of intracellular Ca2+
mobilization and TXB2 (thrmoboxen B2),
PGE2 assay. Experiment concluded that, α-bulnesene
competitively inhibits the specific binding of PAF to its receptor, thus
inhibiting intracellular Ca2+ increase. In addition, α -bulnesene also possessed an additional inhibitory effect on
AA-induced secondary platelet aggregation and TXA2 formation because
the chemical is able to inhibit COX activity. These results indicated that the
natural sesquiterpenoid α-bulnesene
has a dual mechanism whereby it acts on platelet aggregation through PAF
competitive inhibition and also through inhibition of COX activity. [22]
Antimicrobial activity:
One of the studies concluded that, TLC profiling of
ethanol extract of PP with different solvent (ethanol, chloroform, ether)
showed presence of terpenes, phenolic
acids and flavonoids and was found to inhibit four
bacterial pathogens, Escherichia coli,
Staphylococcus aureus, Erwinia
sp., Xanthomonas campestris
pv. campestris, and two
fungal pathogens, Candida albicans and Fusarium oxysporum effectively.[4]
In another study, bactericidal activity was evaluated using four
bacterial strains, Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica
obtained from food and clinical sources. Patchouli oil was most effective
against C. jejuni
and L. monocytogenes.[5]
Anti-IFV (anti-influenza virus) activity:
PA isolated from PP was found to have in vivo anti-influenza H1N1
(A/FM/1/47) activity by using two experimental mouse models, one with lethal
infection and another with nonlethal infection. To evaluate the in vivo anti-IFV actions of PA and their
associated mechanisms, the survival rate and survival time of animals after
lethal infection, and the IFV quantity in lungs, CD3+, CD4+,
and CD8+ T cell levels in the blood, anti-IFV antibody levels,
cytokines in serum and lung, and the histopathology of lungs in the animals
after nonlethal infection were determined.
In a mouse model infected with lethal levels of FM1,
oral administration of PA (20 mg/kg to 80 mg/kg) for 7 days post IFV infection
significantly increased the survival rate and survival time. For IFV infection
at nonlethal levels, the quantity of IFV in the lungs 5 days after infection
was significantly reduced after PA (20 mg/kg to 80 mg/kg) administration.
Anti-IFV IgA, IgM, and IgG titers in serum on day 6 were significantly higher in
the PA-treated group than the IFV-control group. Anti-IFV immune response
augmentation was further confirmed by the elevated production of CD3+,
CD4+, and CD8+ T cell levels in blood. Furthermore, the
levels of inflammatory cytokines, including TNF- α, IL-10 and IFN-gamma in
serum of mice, were regulated. Lung inflammation was reduced significantly
after PA administration, and the effect may be mediated, at least in part, by
regulating the lung levels of inflammatory cytokines.[47, 34] Thus,
oral administration of PA appears to be able to augment protection against IFV
infection in mice via enhancement of host immune responses, and attenuation of
systemic and pulmonary inflammatory responses.
Antidepressant activity:
One of the studies reported antidepressant activity
for aqueous and alcoholic extract by determining its effect on duration of
immobility in despair swimming, tail suspension test and the effect on
spontaneous locomotor activity. Aqueous extract did
not show any effect but the alcoholic extract of PP at the doses of 500mg/kg
and 750mg/kg significantly reduced the immobility time in rats as compared to
the vehicle control. Dunnett’s test revealed that the
alcoholic extract of PP at the dose of 750mg/kg significantly decreased
spontaneous locomotor activity as compared to the
vehicle treated group.[40]
Antimutagenic Activity of Flavonoids from PP:
In a study, six compounds were isolated from dichloromethane
fraction obtained from PPMeOH. Off which 7,4’-di-O-methyleriodictyol,
7,3’,4’-tri-O-methyleriodictyol, and 3,7,4’-tri-O-methylkaempferol and three flavonoids, ombuine, pachypodol, and kumatakenin were
isolated and identified from the dichrolomethane
fraction. All of the above compounds were found to be antimutagenic.
These compounds were assayed with chemical mutagens,
2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl) acrylamide (furylfuramide) and 3-amino-1,
4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido [4, 3-b]indole (Trp-P-1), using Salmonella typhimurium TA1535/pSK1002 in the umu
test. In the former mutagen, first three compounds exhibited suppressive
effects on umu gene expression of the SOS response,
but last three flavonoids did not. Compounds 7,
4’-di-O-methyleriodictyol and 3,7,4’-tri-O-methylkaempferol had greater
suppressive potency than compound 7,3’,4’-tri-O-methyleriodictyol. In the
latter mutagen, all compounds showed potent inhibition of the SOS induction at
a lower concentration than those of furylfuramide.
Especially last three compounds suppressed >80% of the SOS-inducing activity
at 1/10-fold the concentration of furylfuramide.[30]
Toxicological assessment of patchouli oil
Patchouli oil obtained by steam distillation was given GRAS status
by FEMA (1965), is approved by the FDA for food use (21 CFR 172.510) and was included
by the Council of Europe (1974) in the list of substances. Spices and seasonings
deemed admissible for use, with a possible limitation of the active principle in
the final product.
Acute toxicity:
Both the acute oral LD50 in rats and the acute dermal LD50
in rabbits exceeded 5 g/kg. Acute toxicity of PA isolated from PO was also
studied by intragastric administration of stepwise
graded doses of PA in mice, gave an LD50 value of 4693 mg/kg. During
the time of observation the animals exhibited decreased mobility, respiratory
distress (gasping) with eventual immobility but no convulsions or loss
of righting reflex prior to death.[9]
Sub acute toxicity:
No adverse effects on growth, food consumption, hematology, blood chemistry,
liver and kidney weights or the gross and microscopic post-mortem appearance of
major organs were observed in rats, when administered with PO (commercial grade)
diluted in cotton-seed oil so that the oil solution added to the diet at a level
of 2% provided average intakes of 11.9 and 14.5 mg patchouli oil/kg body weight/day
for the males and females, respectively.[48] This dosage was reported
to correspond to at least 100 times the maximum human dietary level.
Dermal toxicity:
Irritation- PO applied full strength to intact or abraded rabbit skin
for 24 hr under occlusion was slightly irritating. Applied undiluted to the backs
of hairless mice and swine, it was not irritating. When tested at 10% in
petrolatum, it produced no irritation after a 48-hrs closed patch test on human
subjects.
In tests with commercial PO, slight irritation of guinea-pig skin was
observed after intradermal injection at 0.1 % in a suitable
solvent while the highest concentration resulting in no irritation after topical
application was 20%.[49] Using a modified Draize
procedure, no sensitization reactions were observed with this sample.
In closed patch tests of patchouli oil on human skin;
no irritation was produced in normal subjects by concentrations of 20% in vaseline or ointment or in subjects with dermatoses by 0.1%, in a non-irritant cream base.[50]
Sensitization:
A test[51] was carried out on 25 volunteers. The material
was tested at a concentration of 10% in petrolatum and produced no sensitization
reactions.
Phototoxicity:
No phototoxic effects were reported for undiluted patchouli oil on
hairless mice and swine.
In hairless mice treated with PO (apparently applied topically in unstated
concentration) and then irradiated for 72 or 96 hrs with an Osram
Ultravitalux lamp at a distance of 50 cm. using a glass
plate to attenuate the intensity of the light, a mild phototoxic effect was observed.
When control animals were treated with the oil and not irradiated, no effects were
observed.
Percutaneous absorption:
No absorption of PO through the shaved abdominal skin of mice was observed
in a 2-hrs period.
Insecticidal activity:
PP essential oil was found to be toxic against larvae
of Spodoptera littoralis with LC50
14.8 ml/m3
CONCLUSION:
Traditional use, reported pharmacological activities and
use of Pogostemon patchouli in perfumery industry
suggests a huge biological and commercial potential of this plant. Patchouli
oil is non-sensitizing, non toxic as well as non-irritating. Due to its healing
properties, it has become a popular choice for various cosmeticians and
doctors. Even many reputed education institutes are offering courses on patchouli
oil and its various benefits. Patchouli oil is not only used in beauty
products, its medical as well as insect repellent properties further enhance
its utility.
The phytochemicals exhibited
different structural characteristics with various pharmacological actions. More
importantly there have been no side effects/ toxicity reports from many years
of research on this herb. The phytoanalytical
information appears to be useful and might lead to development of novel agents
for various disorders and could be explored further for commercial purposes.
The existing evidence is limited to very few biological activities with
underlined mechanism of action. Thus discovery of new agents with improved
pharmacological activity can be expected from the phytoanalytical
profile of this plant against molecular targets and can be explored further in
the future as a source of useful phytochemicals for
the pharmaceutical industry.
ABBREVIATIONS:
PP-Pogostemon patchouli; PA- patchouli alcohol; PO- patchouli
oil; MPTP-1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; ROS-reactive oxygen species; DPPH- 2, 2-diphenyl -1- picryl hydrazyl; PPMeOH- Pogostemon patchouli methanol extract; IFN- interferon; IFV-
anti-influenza virus; PGE2- prostaglanding
E2; NO- nitric oxide; IL- interleukin; iNOS-
inducible nitric oxide synthase; TNF- tumor necrosis
factor; PAF- platelet activating factor; AA- arachidonic
acid; , GRx,-Glutathione reductase;
GPx- Glutathione peroxidase;
TX- thrmboxane; COX- cyclooxygenase;
FEMA- Flavour and Extract Manufacturers Association;
GRAS- Generally Recognized As Safe
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Anti-emetic principles of Pogostemon patchouli
(Blanco) Benth. Phytomedicine. 1999 May;6(2):89-93
2. Ichikawa K, Kinoshita T, Sankawa U. The
screening of Chinese crude drugs for Ca2+ antagonist activity:
identification of active principles from the aerial part of Pogostemon patchouli and the fruits of Prunus mume. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 1989
Feb;37(2):345–8.
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Received on
12.11.2013 Modified on 15.12.2013
Accepted on 20.12.2013
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