Category Archives: Ayurvedic Essential Oils

Ayurvedic Essential Oils

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Germacrene-D

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Germacrene D is a major constituent present in the essential oil of Clary sage, Ylang Ylang, Tulsi (Holy basil), Juniperus Communis L, Red deadnettle, Clausena anisata, fresh Michelia Alba flowers and leaves of Juniperus oxycedrus macrocarpa.

It is also found in Cananga oil, Palo Santo oil extracted from Palo santo (Bursera graveolens), Mastic essential oil from the Mastic tree (Pistacia lentisus), Ravensera oil from Ravensera aromatica, etc.

Germacrene-D is an organic compound belonging to the class sesquiterpenoid germacrane. The sesquiterpene hydrocarbon Germacrene has five isomers- Germacrene-A, B, C, D and E.

It is also considered to be one of the most important molecules of Germacrene. The molecular formula of Germacrene-D is C15H24. It is also known with other alternative names like d-germacrene, (+-) – Germacrene D and so on.

Therapeutic attributes of Germacrene D:

The most significant remedial properties of Germacrene D are:

Antibacterial property:

Germacrene D possesses antibacterial property. In the study ‘Biological activities of the essential oils and methanol extract of Origanum vulgaressp.Vulgarein the Eastern Anatolia regionof Turkey’, it was stated that germacrene D and caryophyllene found in the species Origanum vulgare have significant antibacterial and antifungal activities.

According to the study “Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of Essential Oil of Cosmos bipinnatus Cav. Leaves from South Africa” Germacrene D and (E)- beta-Ocimene which are the main constituents of the essential oil of Cosmos bipinnatus contribute to the significant antibacterial activity of the oil against both gram-positive and gram negative bacteria.

Cytotoxicity:

In the study ‘Essential oil constituents, anticancer and antimicrobial activity of Ficus mucoso and Casuarina equisetifolia leaves’ it was stated that Germacrene D showed cytotoxic effect against Hs578T cells and PC-3 cell lines.

A study titled “Chemical composition and cytotoxic activity of the essential oil from the leaves of Casearia lasiophylla” was conducted to examine the chemical composition and cytotoxicity of the essential oil from the leaves of Casearia lasiophylla.

It was found that the essential oil exhibited highest antiproliferative effect against melanoma and leukemia human cancer cells. It was found that Germacrene D and caryophyllene, which are the major constituents of the essential is responsible for the cytotoxicity of the oil.

Olfactory receptor neuron activation in Heliothine moths:

According to the study “The Plant Sesquiterpene Germacrene D Specifically Activates a Major Type of Antennal Receptor Neuron of the Tobacco Budworm Moth Heliothis virescens” , it was found that there is a plant odour receptor neuron type present in the antenna of female Heliothine moths and this receptor neuron type respond to the germacrene D with high sensitivity and selectivity.

Reference Links:

  1. Germacrene by Wikipedia
  2. Germacrene-D, a characteristic component of the Essential Oils from the Leaves of Juniperus oxycedrus ssp. Macrocarpa (S. et Sm.) BalI Growing in El Kala, Algeria
  3. Chemical composition and cytotoxic activity of the essential oil from the leaves of Casearia lasiophylla
  4. Essential oil constituents, anticancer and antimicrobial activity of Ficus mucoso and Casuarina equisetifolia leaves
  5. The Plant Sesquiterpene Germacrene D Specifically Activates a Major Type of Antennal Receptor Neuron of the Tobacco Budworm Moth Heliothis virescens

Cedrene

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Being a sesquiterpene, Cedrene is a highly fragranced constituent that is extracted from the essential oils of Cedar. It is a polymeric terpene with the molecular formula C15H24. It is also identified by various names such as cedr-8-ene, di-epi-alpha cedrene and alpha-funerbene.

Attributes of Cedrene:

It is a light yellowish transparent oil with Cedar woody smell. It falls under the category of fragrance agents and is predominantly used in perfumery.

Therapeutic attributes of Cedrene:

Cedrene possess antimicrobial, antifungal and anticancer properties.

Anticancer properties:

Cedrene exhibit anticancer activities. According to a study titled, ‘The selective cytotoxic anti-cancer properties and proteomic analysis of Trigonella Foenum-Graecum’, it was established that fenugreek contain several compounds such as gingerol, zingerone, vanillin, eugenol and Cedrene with anticancer properties and so it exhibit anticancer activities against a group of cancerous cells that included T-cell lymphoma.

According to a study named ‘Trypanocidal and anti-leukemic effects of the essential oils of Hagenia abyssinica, Leonotis ocymifolia, Moringa stenopetala, and their main individual constituents’, it is stated that cedrene exhibited powerful trypanocidal activities when the essential oils and their individual components are studied for their structure and activity relationships between trypanosomes and human leukemia cells.

Antiseptic property:

It is stated in ‘The Indian Oil and Soap Journal, Volume 30, Issue 5-Page No-134’ that Cedrene present in J,macropoda and J.communis possess mild antiseptic properties.

Anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties:

In the research article,’Fungicidal activities of certain methanolic plant extracts against tomato phytopathogenic fungi’, it has been stated that Cedrene present in Z.officinale plays a vital role in inhibiting the growth of phytopathogenic fungi and it is determined as one of the most effective anti-microbial agent in Z.officinale extract. Thus, Cedrene possess anti-fungal and anti-microbial activities.

Reference Links:

  1. Cedrene by Wikipedia
  2. Fungicidal activities of certain methanolic plant extracts against tomato phytopathogenic fungi published in the African Journal of Microbiology Research
  3. The selective cytotoxic anti-cancer properties and proteomic analysis of Trigonella Foenum-Graecum

gamma-Eudesmol

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Gamma-eudesmol is a sesquiterpene present mainly in the wood oil of the plant species Callitris collumellaris, Callitris intratropica, Callitris glaucophyla, which are found in Australia.

It is also present in the essential oil of Juniperus virginiana, Cajuput oil, Eucalyptus oil, Guava fruit oil etc.,

The molecular formula for gamma-eudesmol is C15H26O. It is also known by various other names such as (+)-gamma-eudesmol, Uncineol, Machilol, Selinenol and so on.

Attributes of Gamma-eudesmol:

Gamma-eudesmol owns a medium waxy smell.

Therapeutic attributes of gamma-eudesmol:

The primary curative properties of gamma-eudesmol are as follows:

Cytotoxicity:

The study titled ‘Eudesmol isomers induce caspase-mediated apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells’ was conducted to investigate the cytotoxic effect of eudesmol isomers, namely alpha-eudesmol, beta-eudesmol and gamma-eudesmol against cancerous cells in liver.

It was found that the three eudesmol isomers exhibited potential cytotoxic activity against cancerous cells in liver by reducing the proliferation and causing the death of tumor cells by caspase-mediated apoptosis.

According to the study ‘In vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of the essential oil from the leaves of Guatteria friesiana’,  it was found that the antitumor effects exhibited by the essential oil from the leaves of Guatteria friesiana is contributed by the eudesmol isomers, alpha-eudesmol, beta-eudesmol and gamma-eudesmol. Further, they also show signs of significant cytotoxic activity against tumor cells.

Reference Links:

  1. Gamma-eudesmol by PubChem
  2. Eudesmol isomers induce caspase-mediated apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells
  3. In vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of the essential oil from the leaves of Guatteria friesiana