Linalool decreases HepG2 viability by inhibiting mitochondrial complexes I and II, increasing reactive oxygen species and decreasing ATP and GSH levels.

Coriander is used as an appetizer, a common food seasoning in Mediterranean dishes, and a remedy for many ailments. In this study we tested the biochemical effect of its essential oil components, in particular linalool, its main component. The oil extract was prepared by hydro-distillation of coriander seeds. The various components were identified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy. The effect of the various oil components on the viability of different cell lines (HepG2, Caco2, NIH3t3, MCF7 and Hek293) was examined using MTT assay. Linalool was the most potent and HepG2 cells the most sensitive. A 50% and 100% decrease in the viability of HepG2 was obtained at 0.4 microM and 2 microM linalool, respectively. Whereas none of the other components exerted a significant effect at concentrations lower than 50 microM, myrcene and nerolidol, the structural analogues of linalool, were more potent at 100 microM than the other components decreasing HepG2 viability to 26%. The biochemical effect of linalool on mitochondria isolated from HepG2 showed a concentration-dependent inhibition in complexes I and II activities of the respiratory chain, and a time-dependent decrease in ATP level. In addition, a time-dependent decrease in glutathione (GSH) level and in the reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium was obtained, indicating increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Pretreatment with the antioxidants: N-acetyl cysteine (2mM), Trolox (100 microM) and different flavonoids (50 microM) was partially protective against the linalool-induced cell death; the most effective response was that of rutin and apigenin which restored 91% of HepG2 viability. We hereby report a decrease in cell viability of HepG2 cells by linalool and identify the mitochondria as one possible target for its site of action, inhibiting complexes I and II and decreasing ATP. In addition linalool increased ROS generation and decreased GSH level.

Aniseed oil increases glucose absorption and reduces urine output in the rat.

Anise (Pimpinella anisum) has been used as a traditional aromatic herb in many drinks and baked foods because of the presence of volatile oils in its fruits commonly known as seeds. Hot water extracts of the seeds have been used also in folk medicine for their diuretic and laxative effect, expectorant and anti-spasmodic action, and their ability to ease intestinal colic and flatulence. The aim of this work was to study the effect of aniseed oil on transport processes through intestinal and renal epithelia and determine its mechanism of action. The essential oils were extracted from the seeds by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography. Aniseed oil enhanced significantly glucose absorption from the rat jejunum and increased the Na+-K+ ATPase activity in a jejunal homogenate in a dose dependent manner. The oil, however, exerted no effect on water absorption from the colon and did not alter the activity of the colonic Na+-K+ ATPase. When added to drinking water, it reduced the volume of urine produced in the rat and increased the activity of the renal Na+-K+ ATPase even at extremely low concentrations. It was concluded that aniseed oil increases glucose absorption by increasing the activity of the Na+-K+ ATPase and consequently the sodium gradient needed for the sugar transport. Its anti-diuretic effect is also mediated through a similar mechanism in the kidney whereby a stimulation of the Na+-K+ pump increases tubular sodium reabsorption and osmotic water movement. The colonic Na+-K+ ATPase was however, resistant to the oil.