Calamintha nepeta (L.) Savi and its Main Essential Oil Constituent Pulegone: Biological Activities and Chemistry

Abstract

Medicinal plants play an important role in the treatment of a wide range of diseases, even if their chemical constituents are not always completely recognized. Observations on their use and efficacy significantly contribute to the disclosure of their therapeutic properties. Calamintha nepeta (L.) Savi is an aromatic herb with a mint-oregano flavor, used in the Mediterranean areas as a traditional medicine. It has an extensive range of biological activities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, as well as anti-ulcer and insecticidal properties. This study aims to review the scientific findings and research reported to date on Calamintha nepeta (L.) Savi that prove many of the remarkable various biological actions, effects and some uses of this species as a source of bioactive natural compounds. On the other hand, pulegone, the major chemical constituent of Calamintha nepeta (L.) Savi essential oil, has been reported to exhibit numerous bioactivities in cells and animals. Thus, this integrated overview also surveys and interprets the present knowledge of chemistry and analysis of this oxygenated monoterpene, as well as its beneficial bioactivities. Areas for future research are suggested.

Effects of Salt Stress on Plant Growth, Antioxidant Capacity, Glandular Trichome Density, and Volatile Exudates of Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq.

“…Main components in EO distilled from S. tenuifolia aerial parts are monoterpenes including pulegone, d-limonene and menthone [ 1 ]. Pulegone, with a pleasant and refreshing odor, is commercially used in flavoring agents, perfumery, aromatherapy, and diverse pharmaceuticals [ 9 ]. In the Chinese Pharmacopoeia [ 10 ], pulegone was selected as the marker compound for quality control of schizonepetae herba.…”

Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activity and Machine Learning Classification Analysis of Essential Oils from Different Mediterranean Plants against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

“…Essential oils (EOs) represent a group of antimicrobial agents which are complex mixtures of volatile secondary metabolites [11,12]. …”

(R)-(+)-pulegone suppresses allergic and inflammation responses on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis in mice model

“…Pulegone, a transformation of monoterpene ketones, is present in the leaves and flowering tops of several members of the mint family. Pulegone exist as two enantiomeric forms of (+) and (-) in nature, and (+) form is rich in most essential oils [10][11][12]. In the previous report, pulegone displayed anti-histaminic activity in the guinea-pig ileum [13].…”