Acmella oleracea
Encyclopedia
Acmella oleracea, also known under its old names Spilanthes oleracea and Spilanthes acmella and commonly referred to as Spilanthes Extract, is a flowering herb in the plant family Asteraceae
, also known as toothache plant or paracress as the leaves and flower heads contain an analgesic
agent spilanthol used to numb toothache. It is native to the tropics of Brazil
, and is grown as an ornamental (and occasionally as a medicinal) in various parts of the world. A small, erect plant, it grows quickly and sends up gold and red flower inflorescences. It is frost-sensitive but perennial in warmer climates.
to add flavor and vitamins to other foods. A related species is used in several Southeast Asian dishes, such as salads. Consumption of portions or whole flowers have been reportedly used to offset the intense heat of chillies and peppers.
Eating a whole flower bud results in a grassy taste, followed by an extremely strong tingling or numbing sensation and often excessive saliva production and a cooling sensation in the throat. These buds are known as Buzz Buttons, Szechuan buttons, sansho buttons, and electric buttons. In India, the buds are used as flavoring in chewing tobacco
.
The leaves of this plant is used by Bodo-tribals of Bodoland, Assam (India) in preparing a spicy chicken soup, mixed with other common spices. Bodos believe that this soup provides relief from cold and cough.
, and throat complaints.
Acmella oleracea extract has been tested against various yeasts and bacteria and was essentially inactive.
Acmella oleracea has been shown to have a strong diuretic
action in rats.
Spilanthes extract has been discovered to aid in saliva stimulation for people suffering from dry mouth (xerostomia). Its properties provide relief to dry mouth by enhancing saliva production.
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 Jambu oleoresin, a concentrated extract from Paracress.
Besides the main active ingredient spilanthol, Acmella also contains stigmasteryl-3-O-b-D-glucopyranoside and a mixture of triterpene
s.
The isolation and total synthesis of the active ingredients have been reported.
of freshly harvested flowers of S. acmella were bioassayed against Aedes aegypti
(yellow fever mosquito) larvae and Helicoverpa zea
(the corn earworm moth) neonates. Spilanthol proved effective at killing mosquitoes, with an LD100
(at 24 hours) at a concentration of 12.5 µg/mL and showed 50% mortality at 6.25 µg/mL.
The mixture of isomer
s of spilanthol showed a 66% weight reduction of H. zea neonate larvae at 250 µg/mL concentration after 6 days.
Asteraceae
The Asteraceae or Compositae , is an exceedingly large and widespread family of vascular plants. The group has more than 22,750 currently accepted species, spread across 1620 genera and 12 subfamilies...
, also known as toothache plant or paracress as the leaves and flower heads contain an analgesic
Analgesic
An analgesic is any member of the group of drugs used to relieve pain . The word analgesic derives from Greek an- and algos ....
agent spilanthol used to numb toothache. It is native to the tropics of Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, and is grown as an ornamental (and occasionally as a medicinal) in various parts of the world. A small, erect plant, it grows quickly and sends up gold and red flower inflorescences. It is frost-sensitive but perennial in warmer climates.
Culinary uses
For culinary purposes, small amounts of shredded fresh leaves 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 parts of Brazil, especially in the state of Pará, often combined with chillies and garlicGarlic
Allium sativum, commonly known as garlic, is a species in the onion genus, Allium. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive, and rakkyo. Dating back over 6,000 years, garlic is native to central Asia, and has long been a staple in the Mediterranean region, as well as a frequent...
to add flavor and vitamins to other foods. A related species is used in several Southeast Asian dishes, such as salads. Consumption of portions or whole flowers have been reportedly used to offset the intense heat of chillies and peppers.
Eating a whole flower bud results in a grassy taste, followed by an extremely strong tingling or numbing sensation and often excessive saliva production and a cooling sensation in the throat. These buds are known as Buzz Buttons, Szechuan buttons, sansho buttons, and electric buttons. In India, the buds are used as flavoring in chewing tobacco
Chewing tobacco
Chewing tobacco Chewing tobacco Chewing tobacco (also known colloquially as hoobastank, backy, tobac, doogooos,Hogleg, chewpoos, chits, chewsky, chawsky, dip, flab, chowers, guy, or a wad, as well as referred to as dipsky, snuff, a pinch, a yopper, a Packing a bomb, a tobbackey or packing a...
.
The leaves of this plant is used by Bodo-tribals of Bodoland, Assam (India) in preparing a spicy chicken soup, mixed with other common spices. Bodos believe that this soup provides relief from cold and cough.
Medical uses and effects
A decoction or infusion of the leaves and flowers is a traditional remedy for stammering, toothache, stomatitisStomatitis
Stomatitis is an inflammation of the mucous lining of any of the structures in the mouth, which may involve the cheeks, gums, tongue, lips, throat, and roof or floor of the mouth...
, and throat complaints.
Acmella oleracea extract has been tested against various yeasts and bacteria and was essentially inactive.
Acmella oleracea has been shown to have a strong diuretic
Diuretic
A diuretic provides a means of forced diuresis which elevates the rate of urination. There are several categories of diuretics. All diuretics increase the excretion of water from bodies, although each class does so in a distinct way.- Medical uses :...
action in rats.
Spilanthes extract has been discovered to aid in saliva stimulation for people suffering from dry mouth (xerostomia). Its properties provide relief to dry mouth by enhancing saliva production.
Active chemicals
Trigeminal nerve
The trigeminal nerve contains both sensory and motor fibres. It is responsible for sensation in the face and certain motor functions such as biting, chewing, and swallowing. Sensory information from the face and body is processed by parallel pathways in the central nervous system...
and saliva-inducing effects of products such as Jambu oleoresin, a concentrated extract from Paracress.
Besides the main active ingredient spilanthol, Acmella also contains stigmasteryl-3-O-b-D-glucopyranoside and a mixture of triterpene
Triterpene
Triterpenes are terpenes consisting of six isoprene units and have the molecular formula C30H48.The pentacyclic triterpenes can be classified into lupane, oleanane or ursane groups.Animal- and plant-derived triterpenes exist, such as:*squalene...
s.
The isolation and total synthesis of the active ingredients have been reported.
Pesticide effects
Extracts using hexaneHexane
Hexane is a hydrocarbon with the chemical formula C6H14; that is, an alkane with six carbon atoms.The term may refer to any of four other structural isomers with that formula, or to a mixture of them. In the IUPAC nomenclature, however, hexane is the unbranched isomer ; the other four structures...
of freshly harvested flowers of S. acmella were bioassayed against Aedes aegypti
Aedes aegypti
The yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti is a mosquito that can spread the dengue fever, Chikungunya and yellow fever viruses, and other diseases. The mosquito can be recognized by white markings on legs and a marking in the form of a lyre on the thorax...
(yellow fever mosquito) larvae and Helicoverpa zea
Helicoverpa zea
The larva of the moth Helicoverpa zea is a major agricultural pest. It can feed on many different plants during the larval stage. Accordingly, the species has been given many different common names. When the larva consumes cotton, it is known as the cotton bollworm...
(the corn earworm moth) neonates. Spilanthol proved effective at killing mosquitoes, with an LD100
Lethal dose
A lethal dose is an indication of the lethality of a given substance or type of radiation. Because resistance varies from one individual to another, the 'lethal dose' represents a dose at which a given percentage of subjects will die...
(at 24 hours) at a concentration of 12.5 µg/mL and showed 50% mortality at 6.25 µg/mL.
The mixture of isomer
Isomer
In chemistry, isomers are compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulas. Isomers do not necessarily share similar properties, unless they also have the same functional groups. There are many different classes of isomers, like stereoisomers, enantiomers, geometrical...
s of spilanthol showed a 66% weight reduction of H. zea neonate larvae at 250 µg/mL concentration after 6 days.