Sabinene

Sabinene is a bicyclic unsaturated terpenoid with the molecular formula C10H16. It is also known by other names like 4(10)-Thujene; Sabenene; Sabinen; etc.

It is usually present in the essential oils of plants such as Black pepper, Holm oak, Norway spruce, Nutmeg, Clausena anisata and Laurus nobilis. It is also obtained from Tea tree oil in little concentration. It is also a key ingredient of Carrot seed oil.

Attributes of Sabinene:

It has a woody and spicy smell.

Being a constituent of the black pepper, Sabinene is the reason behind the hotness and spicy element of black pepper.

Sabinene is one of the constituents of carrot that adds the key flavor to carrots. Sabinene also seems to be one of the significant components present in carrots that contribute to green, earthy, carrot top flavour with relatively high odor activity values.

Sabinene also showed strong radical-scavenging activity, which enables the essential oil containing sabinene to be antioxidant in nature.

It also serves as an additive in perfumes.

Therapeutic uses of Sabinene:

The most predominant remedial values of Sabinene are:

As an anti-inflammatory agent:

Sabinene also exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and antifungal properties.

According to a study titled “Anti-fungal, anti-oxidant ad anti-inflammatory activities of Oenanthe crocata L.essential oil”, it has been found that sabinene exhibited a strong anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharides and interferon gamma triggered macrophages.

It is also used to treat inflammation on the skin. It is also used for the treatment of dermatophytosis and other inflammatory conditions.

According to a study, ‘Antifungal, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Oenanthe crocata L. essential oil’, it was stated that sabinene present in the essential oil Oenanthe crocata is responsible for its anti-inflammatory attribute.

Sabinene in this essential oil extremely exhibited anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting the pro-inflammatory cytokines, namely tumour necrosis factor alpha and interlukin.

As anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent:

Sabinene also possess anti-bacterial properties and has been witnessed by various studies. According to the study titled, “The Essential Oil Constituents of Zorniadiphylla (L.) Pers, and Anti-Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Activities of the Oil”, it had been stated that sabinene showed a strong anti-microbial activity against Salmonella typhi, which causes food poisoning. Sabinene also proved to contain anti-fungal potency.

Sabinene exhibits strong to moderate anti-bacterial activity against gram positive bacteria and anti-fungal activity against pathogenic fungi.

Sabinene present in tea tree oil is an anti-bacterial and an antiseptic, anti-helicobacter, anti-ulcer. Sabinene is also used in perfumery and as a flavoring agent.

Reference Links:   

Sabinene by Wikipedia

Antifungal, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Oenanthe crocata L. essential oil, published in the Food and Chemical Toxicology Journal

Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil and different fractions of Juniperus communis L. and a comparison with some commercial antibiotics.

The Essential Oil Constituents of Zorniadiphylla (L.) Pers, and Anti-Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Activities of the Oil, by the Phytochemistry and Phytopharmacology Division, Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, India