Aniseed functional properties information

Information for aniseed functional properties in our free herbs and spices resources collection.

Aniseed functional properties

The pharmaceutical data mentioned in the literature mainly refer to anise oil and anethole. Anethole is structurally related to the catecholamines adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine. Anise oil and anethole have a number of functional properties:

• antibacterial
• antifungal
• antioxidant
• stimulant, carminative and expectorant

The antibacterial activities of the essential oil distilled from Pimpinella anisum against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli and Corynebacterium ovis were evaluated. Against S. pyogenes, aniseed oil was equally effective in the pure state and at dilution up to 1:1000. Against C. ovis, aniseed oil was equally effective at dilutions up to 1:100 and at higher dilutions. The inhibitory properties of anise essential oil, alone or in combination with either benzoic acid or methyl-paraben, against Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enteriditis were investigated. S. enteriditis was particularly sensitive to inhibition by combinations of anise essential oil with methylparaben. L. monocytogenes was less sensitive but exhibited significant reductions in growth in response to combinations of essential oil with methyl-paraben.

Anethole, a naturally occurring phenylpropanoid extracted from aniseed, exhibited a broad antimicrobial spectrum and the antifungal activity (against Candida albicans) of two sesquiterpene dialdehydes, polygodial and warburganal (extracted from Polygonum hydropiper), was increased 32 fold when combined with low concentrations of anethole. In a study of the volatile oil from aniseed, significant antifungal activity against members of the genera Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium and Penicillium was recorded at concentrations of 500 ppm, the active constituent having been identified as anethole. Anethole also inhibits growth of mycotoxin producing Aspergillus species in culture. Anethole has been reported to be mutagenic in Ames Salmonella reversion assay. Anethole, anisaldehyde and myristicin (in aniseed), along with d-carvone (present in P. anisum plant), have been found to have mild insecticidal properties. Pharmacological studies were carried out in rats and mice, and anise oil showed significant antipyretic activities in rats. Synthetic versions of compounds in herbs and spices such as trans-anethole have inhibitory and lethal activity against food spoilage yeast Debaromyces hansenii.

There is some evidence of anise oil's effectiveness as an antioxidant. Anise oil is reported to be carminative and expectorant. The reputed lactogogic action of anise has been attributed to anethole, which exerts a competitive antagonism at dopamine receptor sites (dopamine inhibits prolactin secretion), and to the action of polymerized anethole, which is structurally related to the oestrogenic compounds stilbene and stilboestrol. Anethole is also structurally related to the hallucinogenic compound myristicin. Bergapten, in combination with ultraviolet light, has been used in the treatment of psoriasis. Anise oil is used as carminative, stimulant, mild spasmolytic, weak antibacterial, and expectorant in cough mixtures and lozenges, among other preparations. It can be used internally for dyspeptic complaints and externally as an inhalant for congestion of the respiratory tract. The whole, crushed, or ground crude drug can be used for infusion, and other galenical preparations; e.g. several instant teas as powders containing aqueous extracts of aniseed, or as tea paste, some preparations with micro-encapsulated anise oil. Anise seed and anise oil are subjects of German official monographs; 3.0 g of seed or 0.3 g of essential oil (mean daily dose) allowed as a bronchial expectorant for upper respiratory tract congestion and as gastrointestinal spasmolytic.

Anise may have other potential health benefits. The effect of the beverage extracts anise on absorption of iron was tested in tied-off intestinal segments of rats. Results showed that the beverage of anise promoted Fe absorption. Preparations containing 5-10% essential oil are used externally. The oil added to an ointment helps in cases of aches of muscles and neuralgia. Olfactory masking with aniseed oil decreased aggression and prevented the decrease in milk production in dairy cattles. It is reported that anethole stimulates hepatic regeneration in rats, and also shows spasmolytic activity. Chemically it is used as a precursor in the manufacture of anisaldehyde. Occurring in the essential oil of P. anisum, p-anisaldehyde has fungistatic activity; pcresol is a disinfectant agent and cresols are used in veterinary practice as local antiseptics, parasiticides and disinfectants; hydroquinone has antibacterial, antitumour, antimitotic and hypertensive activities. It is cytotoxic to rat hepatoma cells. Uses include a depigmentor, an antioxidant and a photographic reducer and developer.

In traditional medicine anise is reportedly used as aromatic carminative, stimulant and expectorant; also as oestrogenic agents to increase milk secretion, promote menstruation, facilitate birth, increase libido, and alleviate symptoms of male climacteric. Aniseed is traditionally regarded as an aphrodisiac. Externally, the oil may be used as an ointment base for the treatment of scabies. The oil by itself will help in the control of lice and as a chest rub for bronchial complaints. The oil is often mixed with oil of Sassafras albidum for skin parasites and with that of Eucalyptus globulus as a chest rub.

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