Essential Oils as Immunomodulators: Some Examples

Essential oils (EOs) exhibit a wide range of pharmacological properties, which have been reported over the years in various studies. The aim of this literature review is to present the latest findings of the immunomodulatory effects of EOs. From 2008 to 2016 in vivo- and/or in vitro-studies, most of which were published in the last couple of years, have been selected based on their topic relevance, namely immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antileishmanial, antiallergic, and anticancer effects of various EOs. These findings show modulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, antiproliferative, chemotactic properties and also exert antiparasitic effects by inhibiting the pro, axenic and intramacrophagic amastigote forms of Leishmania parasites or by modulating the TH1 and TH2 immune responses. Furthermore, the EOs of some plants show the ability to reduce the mast cell degranulation and improve the airway inflammation and mucus obstruction in the cases of immediate hypersensitivity in murine models. Additionally, the cytotoxicity of some EOs against human melanoma, hepatoma, lung, prostate and breast cancer cell lines proposed their potential antitumor effect by an increased immunosuppressive (cytostatic) activity

α-Terpineol, a natural monoterpene: A review of its biological properties

Terpineols are monocyclic monoterpene tertiary alcohols which are naturally present in plant species. There are five common isomers of terpineols, alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta- and terpinen-4-ol, of which α-terpineol and its isomer terpinen-4-ol are the most common terpineols found in nature. α-Terpineol plays an important role in the industrial field. It has a pleasant odor similar to lilacs and it is a common ingredient in perfumes, cosmetics, and aromatic scents

Seasonal Depending Variations of the Composition and Biological Activities of Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) Essential Oils from Bulgaria

The seasonal depending variations of the essential oils of the needles with twigs of Bulgarian Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinaceae) were analyzed by GC-FID, GC-MS and olfactoric evaluation. In totally 8 investigated essential P. menziesii oils about 60 compounds could be identified with monoterpenes (especially sabinene and β-pinene) as main constituents. The antimicrobial effects against bacteria, fungi and worms of these volatiles as well as their olfactoric properties will be discussed

Analysis, Chemotype and Quality Control of the Essential Oil of a New Cultivated Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) Plant from Bulgaria

The essential oil of the spice plant Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiaceae) from Bulgaria was investigated using gas chromatographic-spectroscopic (GC/FID and GC/MS: polar, non-polar and chiral phases of GC columns) and olfactoric methods. As main compounds of this basil oil sample (R)-(-)-linalool (71.4%), (Z,E)-α-farnesene (6.5%), 1,8-cineole (5.6%), τ-cadinol (2.8%), germacrene D (1.7%), citronellol (1.2%) and bornyl acetate (1.1%) were identified. Ths results show, that the essential basil oil from Bulgaria belongs to the European linalool chemotype. The correlations of olfactoric data (qualitative and quantitative) with the presented analytical ones certificate the good quality of this Bulgarian Ocimum basilicum sample. A possible use of this essential basil oil in medicine, perfumery and foods is discussed