Tansy essential oil possesses powerful antibacterial activities

Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is known to have various pharmacological activities, which can be attributed to the presence of bioactive compounds. Although it has been established that tansy essential oil from different regions have different phytochemical content, most studies still failed to consider this variability when determining the effects of the extracts. In this study, which was published in Medicines, the researchers looked at the complete phytochemical profile of tansy essential oil from Quebec and determined its corresponding biological activities.

• Tansy is a perennial herb that is traditionally used for its antihelminthic, antihypertensive, antispasmodic, antidiabetic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities.
• Prior analysis of tansy extracts showed that they are rich in flavonoids, parthenolide, and phenolic compounds. However, the presence of these phytochemicals is inconsistent for tansy derived from different regions.
• In this study, the researchers determined the bioactive compounds present in tansy essential oil. The researchers also evaluated its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities, as well as antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli, through in vitro experiments.

Results of the study showed that the main compounds present in tansy essential oil are camphor, borneol, and 1,8-cineole. Moreover, tansy also contained alpha-humulene, alpha-pinene, and caryophyllene oxide, which were attributed for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities, respectively. The researchers were also the first to show the cytotoxic activity of the essential oil against colorectal cancer cells.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

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Journal Reference:

Coté H, Boucher M-A, Pichette A, Legault J. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, ANTIOXIDANT, ANTIBIOTIC, AND CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITIES OF TANACETUM VULGARE L. ESSENTIAL OIL AND ITS CONSTITUENTS. Medicines. 30 March 2017;4(2). DOI: 10.3390/medicines4020034