Journal of Medicinal Plants Research Vol. 5(18), pp. 4499-4503, 16 September, 2011 Available online at http://www.academicjournals.

org/JMPR ISSN 1996-0875 2011 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Mentha arvensis Linn.: A review article

M. Akram1, M. Uzair2, Nadia Shamshad Malik3, Arshad Mahmood4, Naila Sarwer5, Asadullah Madni6 and H. M. Asif6
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Eastern Medicine, Hamdrad University Karachi, Pakistan. 2 Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan. 3 Department of Pharmacy, The University of Lahore, Islamabad Campus, Pakistan. 4 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan. 5 Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. 6 Faculty of Pharmacy and Alternative Medicine, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
Accepted 17 May, 2011
1

Mentha arvensis has been used as analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative in Unani system of medicine. In this article, active constituents, antibacterial, antifungal and pharmacological activity of M. arvensis has been described herewith. Key words: Active constituents, antibacterial, antifungal and pharmacological activity of Mentha arvensis. INTRODUCTION Mentha arvensis Linn. Tibbi name: Pudina English name: Marsh mint Botanical name: Mentha arvensis Urdu name: Podina, pudina Family: Labiatae Common name: Field mint, corn mint, podina Part used: Leaves, flowering tops and stems. Objective To review the published literature on M. arvensis.
METHODOLOGY Relevant articles were searched using the terms Mentha arvensis, active constituents, medicinal and pharmacological activity. Description Plants always have great importance in many cultures. Human beings are users of plants for their basic requirements like feeding, clothing, sheltering, hunting and nursing. As source of medicines, plants have formed the basis for sophisticated traditional systems and continue providing mankind with new remedies. M. arvensis is a branched, strongly aromatic herb that stems up to 40 cm long with ascending terminal branches (Figure 2). Leaves are elliptic to oblong-ovate, 1.5 to 2 cm long, short-petioled, toothed margins, rounded or blunt tipped. Hairy purplish to light blue axillary flowers (Ellis et al., 1970). The plant is used to treat liver and spleen diseases, asthma and jaundice. The oil yield is 5% by distillation of leaves, which contain 40 to 50% menthol. The oil is antiseptic, carminative, refrigerant, stimulant and diuretic. Menthol is used in medicine for stomach disorders and in ointments for headache. The infusion of leaves is used in indigestion and rheumatic pains (Rathish et al., 2007). Distribution M. arvensis originated in Eurasia. It is the only member of this family that grows well in subtropical regions. It now grows in North and Central America along the banks of streams and brooks, and in gardens (Ram et al., 2005). The plant is native to the temperate regions of Europe, western and central Asia (eastern Siberia and east of the Himalayas). It is commonly known as pudina in Hindi. Cultivation details As an easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils and situations so long as the soil is not too dry. This species tolerates much drier conditions than other members of the genus. It prefers a slightly acid soil and grows well in heavy clay soils. A sunny position is best for production of essential oils, but it also succeeds in partial shade. Plants are hardy to at least -15 c. Most mints have fairly aggressive spreading roots and, unless you have the space to let them roam, they need to be restrained by some means such as planting them in containers that are buried in the soil. The whole plant has a very strong scent of peppermint; Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. It is also

*Corresponding author. E-mail: makram_0451@hotmail.com. Tel: 92-021-6440083. Fax: 92-021-6440079.

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The mint plants contain the flavonoids acacetin, chrysoeriol, diosmin, eriocitrin (eriodictoyl-7-o-rutinoside), hesperidin, hesperidoside, isorhoifolin, linarin, luteolin, menthoside, methyl rosmarinate, rutin, tilianine, narirutin, and nodifloretin. The phenolic acids present are caffeic acid, lithospermic acid, rosmarinic acid, protocatechuic acid, protocatechuic aldehyde, phytosterols, sitosterol, and daucosterol; the anthraquinones aloe-emodin, chrysophanol, emodin, and tannins are the other compounds present (Rastogi and Mehrotra, 1991).

Mint in traditional medicine Peppermint is widely known to relieve digestive ailments and is a popular remedy in the various traditional and folk medicines in Europe, China, Arabia, and the Indian subcontinent. The leaves are carminative and are used to treat digestive disorders such as dyspepsia (e.g. spastic complaints of the upper gastrointestinal tract), bacillary dysentery, flatulence, gastritis, and enteritis. It is also used as a cholagogue, emmenagogue, vermifuge, to enhance lactation, and as a sedative. It has antifungal and antibacterial activity (Tables 1 and 2). The leaves are useful in the treatment of bronchitis, diabetes, diarrhea, fevers, hypertension, jaundice, nausea, pain, respiratory, and urinary tract infections (DRUGDEX, 1999; WHO, 2004).

Figure 1. Mentha arvensis flower.

RESEARCH STUDY Phytochemical prospection and antimicrobial activity of Mentha arvensis Chemical composition of M. arvensis leaves was determined and its in vitro antimicrobial activity was investigated. For this purpose, ethanole extract of M. arvensis leaves was used to investigate its in vitro antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella flexineri, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. On phytochemical analysis, it was found that M. arvensis leaves contain tannin, flavones, flavonols, xantones, flavonols, flavonones and steroids. Its antibacterial activity against S. aureus was highly significant. In this study it was evaluated that M. arvensis has antimicrobial activity which justify its use in traditional medicine in infectious diseases (Eidla et al., 2009). Radioprotective effect of M. arvensis
Active constituents Menthol, menthone, isomenthone, limonene, neomenthol, methyl acetate, beta-caryopyllene, piperitone, alpha- and beta-pipene, tannins, flavonoids. The main constituents of oil are 4.5 to 10% esters- Menthyl acetate and 15 to 20% of ketones. M. arvensis yields 70 to 90% of menthol. The other components found are phellandrene, cineol piperitone and sesquiterpene. Phytochemical Irrespective of the plant species, the phytochemicals present in the various species of Mentha are the same while their ratios may alter. Mint plants contain over 40 distinct chemical compounds.

Figure 2. Mentha arvensis plant.

polymorphic. The flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies (Figure 1). A good companion plant for growing near brassicas and tomatoes, helping to deter insect pests. Members of this genus are rarely if ever, troubled by browsing deer. Japanese mint ( M. arvensis) is one of the important aromatic plants cultivated in India. Recently, the cultivation of Japanese mint has also been taken up by the farmers of Madhya Pradesh (Pandey et al., 2000).

A study was done to evaluate the radioprotective effect of M. arvensis (mint) on the survival of mice exposed to various doses of whole-body gamma radiation. It was concluded that mint extract provides protection against the radiation-induced sickness and mortality and the optimum protective dose of 10 mg/kg is safe from the point of drug-induced toxicity (Jagetia et al., 2002). Fungitoxic and insecticidal efficacy of M. arvensis In one study, antifungal and insecticidal effect of M.

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Table 1. Antibacterial activity of volatile constituents of essential oils from Mentha arvensis (Pandey et al., 2010).

S/N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Organism B. pumilus B. subtilis E. coli K. pneumoniae P. aeruginosa S. aureus S. typhi

Growth inhibition (%) 100 100 100 100 100 100 91.6

Table 2. Antifungal activity of volatile constituents of essential oils from Mentha arvensis (Pandey et al., 2010).

S/N 1 2 3

Organism A. niger A. flavus C. albicans

Growth inhibition (%) 83.6 90.0 100

arvensis was evaluated. The Mentha EO showed potent fungitoxic and insecticidal efficacy and it was concluded that it may be recommended as a plant-based preservative in the management of fungal and insect infestation of chickpea and other pulses during storage (Kumar et al., 2009). Pharmacological activity M. arvensis and Helminthiasis The clinical study was conducted on Kemol that contains different medicinal herbs including M. arvensis, used as antihelmintic drug in intestinal worm infestation. Study was conducted in Shifa ul Mulk Memorial Hospital, Hamdard University, Karachi. The drug was prescribed to 50 patients between ages of 5 to 15 years. The selected drug was administered to attain a successful response to M. arvensis. Herbal formulation Kemol was administered to 50 patients. Clinical study of M. arvensis shows that it exhibits the anti-helmintic effects. It was concluded that Kemol is remarkably effective for the treatment of intestinal worms infestation (Ibrahim, 2010). M. arvensis extract (1) Study of mint extract on mice showed benefit of pretreatment on mice with reduction in the severity of symptoms of radiation sickness and mortality (Ganesh et al., 2002). (2) Study of essential oils and ethanolic extracts of

leaves/ roots of 35 medicinal plants in Brazil screened for anti-Candida activity. M. arvensis was one of 13 essential oils that showed anti-candidal activity (Holetz et al., 2002). (3) Study of aqueous extract solution in male mice caused inhibition of fertility while maintaining normal sexual behaviour. All induced effects returned to normalcy within 30 days of withdrawal of 60-day treatment (Sharma et al., 2002). (4) M. arvensis is reputed for its strong uterotonic activity, and the ingestion of hydro-alcoholic mixture of the leaves is purposely used to terminate pregnancy. A uterotonic fraction of M. arvensis (UM-fraction) was tested for antifertility effect in rats. Subcutaneous administration of the UM-fraction to rats pregnant from day 1 to day 10 caused a significant interruption in pregnancy. The effect was pronounced during the post-implantation period. At the effective dose, the UM-fraction did not exhibit significant estrogenic or antigonadotropic activities. However, it enhanced the estrogenic effect of estradiol when administered concurrently (Kanjanapothi et al., 1981). (4) A study was done to examine the antiulcerogenic effects of various extracts of M. arvensis Linn. on acid, ethanol and pylorus ligated ulcer models in rats and mice. As a conclusion, it was found that various extracts of M. arvensis Linn. have protective effect against acid secretion and gastric ulcers in ibuprofen plus pyloric ligation, HCl induced and ethanol-induced ulcer models (Londonkar et al., 2009). Medicinal uses Carminative, stimulant, stomachic, aromatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, sudorific, emmenagogue (Jamal et al., 2006). Pudina, widely acclaimed as carminative digestive and aromatic is valued as a stimulant, expectorant, antispasmodic killer of intestinal worms and a mildly analgesic herb. Pudina also has several amazing medicinal properties. The entire plant is antibacterial, antifibrile and antifungal (Gupta et al., 2002). It yields an essential oil and menthol which exert, through their rapid evaporation, slightly anaesthetic, and anodyne local effect. It is effective in headache, rhinitis, cough sore throat, colic, prurigo and vomiting. Menthol obtained from this is used in balms. India is emerging as the largest producer (70%) of menthol mint oil in the world (Srivastava et al., 2002). It is also used as flavoring agent in culinary preparations. It is well known as a cardiac tonic in pharmaceutical preparations. It is a good blood cleanser. Due to its antiseptic (Varma et al., 2001) and anti-bacterial property, it can be used in swollen gums, mouthwash or mouth ulcers and toothache. The Commission E approved internal use of mint oil for flatulence, functional gastrointestinal and gallbladder disorders, catarrhs of the upper respiratory tract, and

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external use for myalgia and neuralgic ailments. Mint and its oil are used in China for treating indigestion, nausea, sore throat, diarrhea, colds, and headaches (Campell et al., 1973; Blumenthal, 1998). Ethnobotanical uses Today, peppermint is preferred in the West, while the Chinese prefer to use field mint and have done so for at least a thousand years to treat fevers, flu, colds, nosebleeds, diseases of the nose and throat, snake and insect bites, and nervous disorders in children. In China, the leaves are often added to salads and vegetable dishes. In Djakarta, mint grows wild and used for headaches and colds. The leaves are ground with a bit of lime and put on the temples as a poultice to relieve throbbing headaches or are brewed for serious coughs. In New Zealand, mint is used as a tonic and to treat colds, flu, headaches, colic, gas, and nausea. Oil of peppermint is put on burns to relieve the pain and, when taken on a regular basis, dissolves gallstones. In India, mint is used to tone the stomach, stimulate the mind and body, rid the intestines of gas, and relieve muscle spasms (Pandey, 2003). There, chutney is not just a condiment, but also a way of taking medicinal herbs. Mint is added to fruit chutneys to be taken as a tonic with every meal. The western practice of using mustard and ketchup came from the Indian chutneys, but these certainly do not possess any of the healthful qualities that the Indian chutneys contain. The Arabs use mint for many ailments, including skin diseases and as a general tonic. They are also one of the few nations who believed that mint was a tonic for the mind as well as the stomach. Industrial uses Mentha (mint) was used as medicinal herb in ancient times, but menthol crystals are still used in different pharmaceutical products and cosmetics as antiseptic, stimulant and inhibitor. It gives minty flavor to various food products. It is also used in oral products e.g. tooth paste and mouth fresheners due to its physiological cooling effect. Pakistan spends billion of rupees in importing menthol crystals for industrial uses. Extensively used as fragrance component in soaps, detergents, cosmetics and perfumes, toothpastes, and industrial fragrances (Alvi et al., 2001). Caution Peppermint appears to be quite safe when used at normal dosages in healthy adults (Spindler, 1992). Mint oil is not safe for infants and children, especially when

applied around the nose, as it can cause serious breathing problems. The oil should not be used by pregnant (Shah et al., 2009; Sharma et al., 2001), breastfeeding women and people with liver disease or damage, asthma and gall bladder conditions, like inflammation, gallstones or a blocked bile duct. When applied directly on the skin, mint oil can allergic skin reactions, flushing, headache and vocal cord spasms.

DISCUSSION Medicinal plants continue to be an important therapeutic aid for alleviating the ailments of humankind. The search for eternal health and longevity and for remedies to relieve pain and discomfort drove early man to explore his immediate natural surroundings and led to the use of many plants, animal products, and minerals, etc. and the development of a variety of therapeutic agents. Today, there is a renewed interest in traditional medicine and an increasing demand for more drugs from plant sources. This revival of interest in plant-derived drugs is mainly due to the current widespread belief that green medicine is safe and more dependable than the costly synthetic drugs, many of which have adverse side effects (Bhattacharjee et al., 1998). Menthol mint/corn mint/Japanese mint (M. arvensis L.) is commercially cultivated in tropical and subtropical climates. The oil, an oil isolate and a by-product [menthol and dementholized oil (DMO), respectively] of this plant have the highest share in the global mint trades (Srivastava et al., 2002). In one study, Mentha essential oil showed potent fungitoxic and insecticidal efficacy and may be recommended as a plant-based preservative in the management of fungal and insect infestation of chickpea and other pulses during storage (Ashok et al., 2009). M. arvensis showed antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans, S. aureus, Streptococcus mitis, and Candida albicans. M. arvensis. showed concentrationdependent activity against all the tested micro-organisms with the zone of inhibition ranging from 12 to 24 mm at various concentrations (Ramasubramania et al., 2010; Duarte et al., 2005).

Conclusion The pharmacological activities as carminative, stimulant, stomachic, aromatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antihelmintic and for the treatment of intestinal worms have been documented. Although it exerts effects on liver, it exhibits hepatprotective activities and is involved in intestinal worm therapy. In conclusion M. arvensis have wide range of medicinal uses and can be used either as single drug or compound drugs to treat different ailments.

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