Acmella oleracea

Acmella oleracea
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Acmella
Species: A. oleracea
Binomial name
Acmella oleracea
(L.) R.K.Jansen
Synonyms[1]
  • Spilanthes oleracea L.
  • Spilanthes acmella (L.) Murray not (L.) L.
  • Pyrethrum spilanthus Medik.
  • Cotula pyrethraria L.
  • Bidens fixa Hook.f.
  • Bidens fervida Lam.
  • Anacyclus pyrethraria (L.) Spreng.
  • Spilanthes radicans Schrad. ex DC.
  • Bidens fusca Lam.
  • Bidens oleracea (L.) Cav. ex Steud.
  • Bidens acmelloides Berg.
  • Spilanthes oleracea var. fusca (Lam.) DC.
  • Spilanthes fusca hort.par. ex Lam.
  • Spilanthes acmella var. oleracea (L.) C.B.Clarke ex Hook.f.
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Acmella oleracea is a species of flowering herb in the family Asteraceae. Common names include toothache plant, paracress, sechuan button, buzz buttons and electric daisy.[2] In Brazil it is called jambu. Its native distribution is unclear, but it is likely derived from a Brazilian Acmella species.[3] It is grown as an ornamental and attracts fireflies when in bloom. It is used as a medicinal remedy in various parts of the world. A small, erect plant, it grows quickly and bears gold and red inflorescences. It is frost-sensitive but perennial in warmer climates.

Culinary uses

For culinary purposes, small amounts of shredded fresh leaves are said to add a unique flavour to salads. Cooked leaves lose their strong flavour and may be used as leafy greens. Both fresh and cooked leaves are used in dishes such as stews in northern Brazil, especially in the state of Pará. They are combined with chilis and garlic to add flavor and vitamins to other foods.[4]

The flower bud has a grassy taste followed by a strong tingling or numbing sensation and often excessive salivation, with a cooling sensation in the throat.[4] The buds are known as "buzz buttons", "Szechuan buttons", "sansho buttons", and "electric buttons".[5] In India, they are used as flavoring in chewing tobacco.[5]

A concentrated extract of the Spilanthes plant identified as Jambu is used as a flavoring agent in many countries worldwide.[6][7][8] EFSA and JECFA reviewed a feeding study in rats conducted by Moore et al. and both authorities recognized that the no adverse effect level for spilanthol was 572 mg/kg b.w./day, yielding a safe dose of spilanthol of 1.9 mg/kg b.w./day, or 133.5 mg/70-kg male/day, 111 mg/58-kg female/day, or 38 mg/20-kg child/day.[7][8]

The use of jambu extract as a food flavor is described as having an odor of citrus, herbal, tropical or musty odor, and its taste can be pungent, cooling, tingling, numbing, or effervescent. Thus, as described,[9] the flavor use of jambu extract includes the ability induce a mouth-watering sensation in the oral cavity and the ability to promote the production of saliva. Spilanthol, the major constituent of jambu extract,[10] is responsible for the perception of a mouth-watering flavor sensation, as well as the ability to promote salivation as a sialogogue, perhaps through its astringent action or its pungent taste in the oral cavity.[11][12]

Cultivation

This plant prefers well-drained, black (high organic content) soil. If starting outdoors, the seeds should not be exposed to cold weather, so start after last frost. Seeds need direct sunlight to germinate, so should not be buried.[13]

Medicinal uses

A decoction or infusion of the leaves and flowers is a traditional remedy for stammering, toothache, and stomatitis.[4]

An extract of the plant has been tested against various yeasts and bacteria and was essentially inactive.[14] It has been shown to have a strong diuretic action in rats.[15]

As a bush plant used for treating toothache, the analgesic effect of the Spilanthes plant has been attributed to the presence of constituents containing an N-isobutylamide moiety, such as spilanthol, a substance that has been found to be an effective sialogogue, an agent that promotes salivation.[16] Spilanthol is absorbed trans-dermally and through the buccal mucosa.[17][18] Spilanthol may activate TRPA1, a specific transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channel in the oral cavity.[19] In addition to capsaicin, allyl isothiocyanate, and cinnamaldehyde,[20] spilanthol is also reported to affect the catecholamine nerve pathways present in the oral cavity that promote the production of saliva,[10] which is responsible for its ability to induce a mouth-watering sensation when used as a flavor (and associated with the tingling or pungent flavoring sensation in some individuals).

Since 2000, there are several medicinal activities reported on Acmella oleracea that are highlighted in several journals are mentioned in the table below.[10][21][22]

Pharmacological activity Species Part used Type of extract Models used
Antimalarial, larvicidal S. acmella Murr. Flowers Ethanol Anopheles, Aedes, Culex larvae
Antinociception, antihyperalgesic S. acmella Flowers CWE Formalin test of nociception and carrageenan-induced thermal hyperalgesia in rats
Antinociception, antihyperalgesic Acmella uliginosa, (Sw.) Cass Flowers Methanol Chemicals (acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction and formalin-, capsaicin-, glutamate-induced paw-licking test) and thermal models (hot-plate test) of nociception in mice
Immunomodulatory S. acmella Murr. Leaves Ethanol Macrophage function in mice
Immunomodulatory S. acmella Leaves Ethanol Neutrophil adhesion test in rat
Antiviral S. americana Flowers NA NA
Insecticidal S. calva Leaves and flowers Petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanol Helopeltis theivora
Antimalarial, larvicidal S. acmella, S. calva, S. paniculata Flowers Hexane A. stephensi, A. culicifacies, C. quinquefasciatus larvae
Antioxidant S. acmella Leaves, stems Methanol DPPH, SOD assay
Antihepatoxic S. ciliata Whole plant Ethanol Paracetamol-induced hepatic damage in rats
Antimicrobial S. calva Roots Methanol Oral microflora: Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Candida albicans
Anti-inflammatory S. acmella Aerial parts Ethanol Lipopolysaccharide-activated murine macrophage model
Antimalarial, larvicidal S. mauritiana Aerial parts Methanol extract Aedes aegypti larvae
Insecticidal S. acmella Murr. Leaves and flowers Aqueous Chilo partellus
Diuretic S. acmella Flowers CWE Hydrated rats
Antioxidant S. acmella Murr. Aerial parts Chloroform, hexane, ethyl actate, methanol 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) assay
Antimicrobial S. americana Whole plant Aqueous, ethanol and hexane Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus hemolytic, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli
Antipyretic S. acmella Murr. NA Aqueous Aspirin-treated rats
Diuretic S. acmella Leaves Petroleum ether, chloroform and ethanol Hydrated Wistar albino rats
Antimicrobial S. paniculata Leaves NA Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Candida

albicans and Microsporum gypseum

Antimicrobial S. mauritiana Roots and flowers NA Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Pseudomonas, Escherichia and Klebsiella, Salmonella
Antimicrobial S. mauritiana Roots and flowers NA Candida species and Aspergillus species
Antimicrobial S. acmella Linn. Flower heads Petroleum ether Fusarium oxysporium, F. moniliformis, Aspergillus niger and A. paraciticus
Local anaesthetic S. acmella Murr. NA Aqueous Xylocaine-induced guinea pig and frog
Antimalarial, larvicidal S. mauritiana Leaves Crude powder A. gambiae, Culex larvae
Anti-inflammatory S. acmella Aerial parts Aqueous Carragenan-induced paw edema in rats
Aphrodisiac S. acmella L. Murr. Flowers Ethanol Nitric oxide release in human corpus cavernosum cell line and penile erection in rats
Insecticidal S. acmella NA NA Periplaneta Americana
HIV-1 protease inhibitor S. acmella L. Whole plant Chloroform, methanol and water In vitro HIV-1 protease solution assay method
Analgesic S. acmella Aerial parts Aqueous Acetic acid-induced writhing response in albino mice
Pancreatic lipase-inhibitory S. acmella Flowers Ethanol In vitro test
Vasorelaxant S. acmella Murr. Aerial parts Chloroform, hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol Phenethylephrine-induced rat
Antimutagenic S. calva NA Chloroform Ames Salmonella/microsome assay
Convulsant S. acmella Whole plant Hexane Electroencephalograph response of rats

Active chemicals

Spilanthol, (2E,6Z,8E)-deca-2,6,8-trienoic acid isobutyl amide
(2E,7Z,9E)-Undeca-2,7,9-trienoic acid isobutyl amide, another alkylamide from Acmella oleracea
(2E)-Undeca-2-en-8,10-diynoic acid isobutyl amide

The most important taste-active molecules present are fatty acid amides such as spilanthol, which is responsible for the trigeminal and saliva-inducing effects of products such as jambú oleoresin, a concentrated extract of the plant.[23] It also contains stigmasteryl-3-O-b-D-glucopyranoside and a number of triterpenes. The isolation and total synthesis of the active ingredients have been reported.[24]

Biological pest control

Extracts were bioassayed against yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) and corn earworm moth (Helicoverpa zea) larvae. The spilanthol proved effective at killing mosquitoes, with a 24-hour LD100 of 12.5 µg/mL, and 50% mortality at 6.25 µg/mL. The mixture of spilanthol isomers produced a 66% weight reduction of corn earworm larvae at 250 µg/mL after 6 days.[23]

Virgin Jambu oil

Jambú oil

Spilanthol is extracted from the flowers, leaves and stem from jambu.[25]

References

  1. Flann, C (ed) 2009+ Global Compositae Checklist
  2. Wong, James (September 2012). James Wong's Homegrown Revolution. W&N. p. 197. ISBN 978-0297867128.
  3. Acmella oleracea. Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. PROTA.
  4. 1 2 3 Benwick, B. S. Like a Taste That Tingles? Then This Bud's for You. Washington Post. October 3, 2007.
  5. 1 2 It's Shocking, But You Eat It. All Things Considered. NPR. February 28, 2009.
  6. "Flavors and Extracts Manufacturers of the United States. Safety Assessment of Jambu Oleoresin, Washington, D.C.". FEMA: 12.
  7. 1 2 Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food and Additives; Bend, J; Bolger, M Knaap, AG; Kuznesof, PM; Larsen, JC; Mattia, A; Meylan, I; Pitt, JI; Resnik, S; Schlatter, J; Vavasour, E; Rao, MV; Verger, P; Walker, R; Wallin, H; Whitehouse, B; Abbott, PJ; Adegoke, G; Baan, R; Baines, J; Barlow, S; Benford, D; Bruno, A; Charrondiere, R; Chen, J; Choi, M; DiNovi, M; Fisher, CE; Iseki, N; Kawamura, Y; Konishi, Y; Lawrie, S; Leblanc, JC; Leclercq, C; Lee, HM; Moy, G; Munro, IC; Nishikawa, A; Olempska-Beer, Z; de Peuter, G; Pronk, ME; Renwick, AG; Sheffer, M; Sipes, IG; Tritscher, A; Soares, LV; Wennberg, A; Williams, GM (2007). "Evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants. Flavoring Agents: Aliphatic and Aromatic Amines and Amides". World Health Organization technical report series. 65 (947): 1–225, back cover. PMID 18551832.
  8. 1 2 "Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 303 (FGE.303): Spilanthol from chemical group 30". EFSA Journal. March 2011.
  9. Moore, G.E. "28-Day dietary toxicity study in rodents. Study No. 11326. Product Safety Labs, East Brunswick, NJ. Unpublished report to the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association of the United States, Washington, D.C., USA." (PDF). Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  10. 1 2 3 Tiwari, KL; SK Jadhav; V. Joshi (November 2011). "An updated review on medicinal herb genus Spilanthes". Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine. 11. 9: 1170–1178. doi:10.3736/jcim20111103. PMID 22088581. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  11. Chopra, R.N.; Nayar, S.L.; Chopra, I.C. (1956). "Glossary of Medicinal Plants". Council of Scientific & Industrial Research. New Delhi, India.
  12. Patel, V.K.; Patel, R.V.; Venkatakrishna-Bhatt, H.; Gopalakrishna, G.; Devasankariah, G. (1992). "A clinical appraisal of Anacyclus pyrethrum root extract in dental patients". Phytotherapy Research. 6: 158–159. doi:10.1002/ptr.2650060313.
  13. Holetz, F. B.; et al. (2002). "Screening of some plants used in the Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of infectious diseases". Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz. 97 (7): 1027–31. doi:10.1590/S0074-02762002000700017. PMID 12471432.
  14. Ratnasooriya, W. D.; et al. (2004). "Diuretic activity of Spilanthes acmella flowers in rats". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 91 (2–3): 317–20. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2004.01.006. PMID 15120455.
  15. Rani, S.A.; Murty, S.U. (2006). "Antifungal potential of flower head extract of Spilanthes acmella Linn.". African J. Biomedical Research: 67–68. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  16. Boonen, J.; Roche, N.; Burvenich, C.; DeSpiegeler, B (2010). "Transdermal behavior of the N-alkylamide spilanthol (affinin) from Spilanthes acmella (Compositae) extract". Ethnopharmacology: 77–84.
  17. Boonen, J. B.; Roche, N.; Burvenich, C.; DeSpiegeler, B (2010). "LC-MS profiling of N-alkylamides in Spilanthes acmella extract and the transmucosal behavior of its main bio-active spilanthol". J. Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis: 243–249.
  18. Riera, C.E; Menozzi-Smarrito, C.; Affolter, M.; Michlig, S.; Munari, C.; Robert, F.; Vogel, H.; Simon, S.A.; le Coutre, J. (2009). "Compounds from Sichuan and Melegueta peppers activate, covalently and non-covalently, TRPA1 and TRPV1 channels". British J Pharmacology: 1398–1409.
  19. Iwasaki, Y. Tanabe; Kobata, K.; Watanabe, T. (2008). "TRPA1 agonists – allyl isothiocyanate and cinnamaldehyde – induce adrenal secretion". Biotechnol Biochem: 2608–2614.
  20. "An updated review on medicinal herb genus Spilanthes". National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  21. Savadi, RV; R Yadav; N Yadav (June 2010). "Study on immunomodulatory activity of ethanolic extract of Spilanthes acmella Murr. leaves" (PDF). CSIR: 204–207. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  22. 1 2 Ramsewak, R. S.; et al. (1999). "Bioactive N-isobutylamides from the flower buds of Spilanthes acmella". Phytochemistry. 51 (6): 729–32. doi:10.1016/S0031-9422(99)00101-6. PMID 10389272.
  23. Ley, J. P.; et al. (2006). "Isolation and synthesis of acmellonate, a new unsaturated long chain 2-ketol ester from Spilanthes acmella". Nat. Prod. Res. 20 (9): 798–804. doi:10.1080/14786410500246733. PMID 16753916.
  24. Engenheira química extrai composto bioativo do jambu! http://www.unicamp.br/unicamp/sites/default/files/jornal/paginas/ju_595_paginacor_06_web.pdf
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