A COMPREHENSIVE INSIGHT INTO ANETHUM GRAVEOLENS COMPOSITION AND ITS MEDICINAL POTENCY

A COMPREHENSIVE INSIGHT INTO ANETHUM GRAVEOLENS COMPOSITION AND ITS MEDICINAL POTENCY

Sharanabasappa B. Patil

Department of Chemistry, Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.

ABSTRACT: Anethum graveolens (Dill) leaves and seeds of the plant are mainly used for traditional health treatments like diuretics and stomach disorders. Various observations of Anethum graveolens plant oil and other extracts showed antidepressant, analgesic, antiproliferative, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant activity, effects on gastrointestinal system, hyperlipidaemic effects, contraindications and adverse effects, and effects on reproductive system. Further, it is also used to prevent food spoilage or contamination. In the food industry, it is also used for flavoring foods. The important isolated molecules reported are carvone, dihydrocarvone, limonene, cymen, carvacrol, phellandrene, coumarins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, steroids, etc. The various traditional uses of the plant parts are stomachic and diuretic in Ayurvedic practices.

Keywords: Anethum graveolens, Composition  and Medicinal significance

INTRODUCTION: The Apiaceae family is popularly known for its medicinal applications. The Anethum graveolens belong to this family and are uniquely known as dill, Sthatpushpi, Sowa, Soya, and Shibth (English, Sanskrit, Hindi, Punjabi, and Arabic). All parts of the plant are traditionally used for different medicinal applications such as antidepressant, analgesic, antiproliferative, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-oxidant activity, effects on gastrointestinal system, hyperlipidaemic effects, contraindications and adverse effects, and effects on reproductive system. Further, it is also used to prevent food spoilage or contamination. In the food industry, it is also used for flavoring foods. In Ayurvedic medicine also, Anethum graveolens seeds are used for diuretic and stomach-related issues.

The important isolated molecules reported are carvone, dihydrocarvone, limonene, cymen, carvacrol phellandrene, flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins, and steroids. Many other molecules were extracted from seeds, like coumarins, steroids, and flavonoids ^1-2 Fig. 1.

FIG. 1:  ANETHUM GRAVEOLENS PLANT SEED, LEAF AND FLUORESCENCE

Chemical Constituents: The various chemical constituents that exist in different parts of Anethum graveolens were listed below ^3-7 Fig. 2.

FIG. 2: CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF ANETHUM GRAVEOLENS

Medicinal uses: Traditionally the aerial parts of the plant (Anethum graveolens) were practiced for different medicinal applications such as for colic pain, flatulence, diuretic, galactogogue, stimulant, stomachic, intestinal spasms, appetite, bad breath, stimulating milk flow, piles, urinary-related issues, and mental-related issues, and also used as condiments, tea, pickles, salads, sauces, and soups, flavoring in the food industry, perfume industry, detergents, and soaps ^8–23.

Phytoconstituents: The phytoconstituent analysis of Anethum graveolens plant observed that terpenoids, glycosides, flvonoid, and tannins are the major constituents of roots, stems, and leaves ²⁴.

Medicinal Significance:

Antidepressant Effect: The aqueous extract was given orally and showed excellent antidepressant potency in comparison with sertraline and tramadol, dose: 250 mg/kg body weight ²⁵.

Antiproliferative Effect: Mohammed et al. (2018 reported that the Anethum graveolens seeds against the HepG2 cell line showed good antiproliferative effects by using the ethyl acetate fraction.

Further, it was observed that stems above parts of the plant are highly effective against uterus cancer ²⁶.

Antimicrobial Effects: Chahal et al. 2017 observed that the existence of carvone and limonene in various extracts may be responsible for the various activities such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant ²⁷.

Hanan Y. Aati. 2022 reported that oil extracted from seeds of Anethum graveolens plant exhibited significant antimicrobial potency against used microbial strains (Aspergillus parasiticus, Standard: Itraconazole) ²⁸. Further extracted oil from Anethum graveolens showed various other biological potencies, such as diuretic ²⁹, antidiabetic ³⁰, and analgesic ³¹ potencies. Acetone extract and extracted oil exhibited good antimicrobial potency against used strains compared with standard. The observed activity due to the presence of coumarin, limonene, and carvone may be responsible ^32–34 Fig. 3.

FIG. 3: SOXHLET EXTRACTION APPARATUS, OIL AND ANTIMICROBIAL POTENCY

Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Effects: The hydroalcoholic extract exhibited good antiinflammatory activity in rats. The extracted oil and diclofenac gel exhibited excellent anti-inflammatory activity against rats compared to standard.

The organic extract (ethanol) of the fruits showed good activity compared with standard ^35-37. Racz-Kotilla E et al. 1995. Observed that the water extract of the fruit and oil exhibited excellent potency in mice by using the hot plate method ³⁸.

Other Observed Effects: Anethum graveolens plant seed extract exhibited excellent effect in the gastrointestinal system observed in mice, and it reduces acidity and content of acid. The crude extract of Anethum graveolens showed good anti-hypercholesterol and anti-hyperlipidaemic potency. The powder and oil of the plant also showed good hypolipidaemic potency in rats ^39–49.

Contraindications and Adverse Effects: Chui A M et al. 2000 & Nath D et al. 1992 reported that some rarely it exhibits allergic effects, sometimes swelling in tongue & throat. Further, it is advised to not used during pregnancy time, respectively ^50-53.

Effects on Reproductive System: The Anethum graveolens plant aqueous and organic (ethanol) extract showed excellent potency observed in female rats. Results showed that both extracts exhibited good effects on reproductive systems ^54–58.

Antioxidant Activity: The essential oil isolated from the plant Anethum graveolens exhibited excellent antioxidant activity compared with standard ^59-60.

Isolated Molecules of Anethum graveolens: Hanan Y. Aati et al. (2022) reported the various molecules isolated from the seed, flower, leaves, and stem of Anethum graveolens are listed below Fig. 4.

From our group, different synthetic, natural product and their biological activities recent updates may be useful for the new researcher in designing new active drugs ^61–82.

FIG. 4: THE VARIOUS MOLECULES ISOLATED FROM SEED, FLOWER, LEAVES AND STEM OF ANETHUM GRAVEOLENS

CONCLUSION: The leaves and seeds of the Anethum graveolens plant are mainly used for traditional health treatments like diuretics and stomach disorders. Various observations reveal that the whole plant has medicinal applications such as antidepressant, analgesic, antiproliferative, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant activity, effects on gastrointestinal system, hyperlipidaemic effects, contraindications and adverse effects, and effects on reproductive system. Further, it is also used to prevent food spoilage or contamination. In the food industry, also used for flavoring foods. The important isolated molecules reported are carvone, dihydrocarvone, limonene, cymen, carvacrol phellandrene, coumarins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and steroids.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The author is thankful to RIT, Bangalore, for providing the facility to complete the work.

Funding Support: None.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

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    Patil SB: A comprehensive insight into Anethum graveolens composition and its medicinal potency. Int J Pharm Sci & Res 2025; 16(3): 609-14. doi: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.16(3).609-14.

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