Volume 32, Issue 6, 2011, Pages 295-298
Cloves and oil of cloves. Interesting plant drugs, not just for Christmas (Article)
[]
Freie Universität Berlin, Institut für Pharmazie, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
Abstract
Cloves and oil of clove buds are among the most well-known plant drugs and have been used as a condiment and flavouring agent for centuries. The present article summarizes insights into the pharmacology of Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. et L.M. Perry garnered during the last 20 years. The drug and the essential oil not only show antimicrobial, antiviral, fungicidal, and repellent effects, but also anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and gastroprotective activities. Of special interest are recent investigations into the pharmacological mechanism of the anaesthetic effects of clove oil which are mediated via cannabinoid receptors. The wide spectrum of biological effects induced by cloves and clove oil justifies the use of these drugs in orthodox and complementary medicine. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.
Author keywords
clove oil; Cloves; pharmacology; Syzygium aromaticum
Indexed keywords
EMTREE drug terms: cannabinoid receptor; clove oil; essential oil
EMTREE medical terms: anesthesia; antiinflammatory activity; antineoplastic activity; antiviral activity; article; clove; drug mechanism; fungicidal activity; nonhuman
Chemicals and CAS Registry Numbers: clove oil, 8000-34-8
ISSN: 0722348X CODEN: ZPHYDSource Type: Journal Original language: German
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1286035Document Type: Article
