PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 29 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Calamintha nepeta is a Mediterranean Lamiaceae plant used in traditional medicine, characterized by essential oils with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties [PMID:34916937, PMID:38140425].
Background
Calamintha nepeta (also referred to as Clinopodium nepeta) is an aromatic herb from the Lamiaceae family found in Mediterranean regions [PMID:34916937, PMID:38140425].
Traditional uses
It has been used in traditional medicine to alleviate rheumatic disorders [PMID:34916937].
Active compounds
The plant contains essential oils and phenolic compounds [PMID:29794251]. Major constituents vary by chemotype and origin, including pulegone (the most abundant monoterpene), piperitenone oxide, piperitenone, isomenthone, 1,8-cineole, and trans-isopulegone [PMID:20981614, PMID:34916937]. It also contains sterols, with stigmast-5-en-3β-ol identified as a major constituent in subsp. glandulosa [PMID:21861645].
Mechanism of action
Aqueous extracts exhibit radical scavenging and chelating activities [PMID:39434513]. The plant's polyphenols are noted for potential antiaggregatory effects in the prevention of thrombus formation [PMID:31639083].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DInflammation
Extracts produced a 49% inhibition in carrageenan-induced paw oedema [PMID:22186311]
Evidence DVasorelaxation
Decoction extracts demonstrated vasorelaxant effects on thoracic aortic rings from rats [PMID:39434513]
Evidence DCancer (In vitro)
Essential oils showed an antiproliferative effect against human breast tumour cell lines [PMID:31377137]
Evidence DCandida
Essential oils of subsp. glandulosa exhibit antifungal activity [PMID:28134788]
Safety & adverse effects
Aqueous extracts showed no toxicity in Artemia salina lethality bioassays [PMID:39434513]. However, essential oils showed high activity (toxicity) against A. salina [PMID:31377137].
Evidence summary
The current evidence is limited to in vitro studies, animal models, and phytochemical analyses (Level D); there are no clinical trials or systematic reviews available for this herb.
PubMed sources
- 1.PMID: 39434513 (2024) — In vitro biological activities of Calamintha nepeta L. aqueous extracts. · Journal of applied biomedicine
- 2.PMID: 34916937 (2021) — Anti-Hyperalgesic Properties of Menthol and Pulegone. · Frontiers in pharmacology
- 3.PMID: 21861645 (2012) — Comparative chemical composition and antioxidant activity of Calamintha nepeta (L.) Savi subsp. glandulosa (Req.) Nyman and Calamintha grandiflora (L.) Moench (Labiatae). · Natural product research
- 4.PMID: 31639083 (2019) — Antithrombotic activity of flavonoids and polyphenols rich plant species. · Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)
- 5.PMID: 20981614 (2010) — Chemical composition and biological assays of essential oils of Calamintha nepeta (L.) Savi subsp. nepeta (Lamiaceae). · Natural product research