2024-04-30 06:17:13
After cannabinoids, terpenes are probably the most pharmacologically important group of substances in hemp. Many of these terpenes, such as beta-caryophyllene, are already widely known and valued for their health benefits. The terpene that is still relatively unknown but has such interesting medicinal effectiveness is nerolidol. The nerolidol content can vary greatly depending on the type of cannabis.
Songs rich in nerolidol include Royal Jack Automatic or Royal Cookies. In addition to hemp, this terpene is also found in other plants such as the tea tree or lavender. Chemically, nerolidol is a sesquiterpene and is also classified as an alcohol due to its structure.
Antiparasitic and antibiotic effects
Plants produce terpenes, among other things, to deter predators, but also to protect themselves from microbial pathogens. The special property of nerolidol is that it is effective against a whole range of different microbial parasites. Infections with protozoan parasites affect millions of people worldwide. Probably one of the most famous diseases caused by parasites is malaria. The pathogen is a single-celled parasite called Plasmodium falciparum.
But sleeping sickness or leishmaniasis are also dangerous diseases caused by parasites. Several studies have shown that nerolidol can precisely combat these parasites. Both in vitro studies and observations on mice have shown that nerolidol is an effective agent in eliminating the parasitic pathogens of the mentioned infections.
In in vitro tests, almost 100 percent eradication of the parasites was achieved within 24 hours. Another surprising finding was the antibiotic potential of nerolidol. The terpene was found to be effective against numerous pathogenic bacteria. Even against those who are already resistant to numerous antibiotics. The special thing about nerolidol’s mechanism of action is that it can apparently re-sensitize antibiotic-resistant bacteria, so to speak, so that they can be fought using conventional antibiotics. A US study found that after bacterial cultures were given a small amount of nerolidol, they became sensitive to antibiotics again.
A multi-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus became sensitive again to the usual antibiotics after the culture was spiked with a concentration of 0.5 to 2.0 nano-molecules of nerolidol. A strain of Escherichia coli that was resistant to the antibiotic polymyxin B could be re-sensitized to this antibiotic using the same method. Researchers assume that sesquiterpenes, such as nerolidol, could be used as a type of amplifier for common antibiotics. Certain disinfection processes could be optimized by the addition of this terpene.
Amplifier for transdermal absorption
There is a special property of nerolidol that it can significantly improve the absorption of other active ingredients through the skin. Many medications, which are mainly effective locally, must be introduced into the local tissue as effectively as possible using an ointment. Researchers refer to this process as so-called transdermal penetration. A 2006 study found that sesquiterpenes, especially nerolidol, can increase this absorption several times.
The active ingredient diclofenac sodium was tested in this study. Many ointments used to treat sports injuries or rheumatic complaints contain this active ingredient. The aim of this study was to determine what effect it has on the concentration of the active ingredient in the surrounding tissue when different terpenes are added in a concentration of 0.25%. It was found that nerolidol can increase the permeability of the corresponding tissue to the active ingredient by a factor of 198.
Multiple neuroprotective effects
The term “neuroprotective” is an umbrella term that describes a protective effect on the brain and central nervous system. This protective effect can occur in very different ways. For example, oxidative stress can be prevented in these regions, but molecular biological processes that promote degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s can also be influenced. Nerolidol appears to have such a broad neuroprotective effect.
Studies on mice have shown that nerolidol directly stops those intracellular processes responsible for the degenerative process in Parkinson’s disease. It also prevents oxidative stress in nerve cells and blocks many inflammatory messenger substances associated with neurological diseases. Especially with Parkinson’s disease, current conventional medicine cannot stop the stimulation process, but can only alleviate the symptoms. Researchers assume that nerolidol could be an interesting candidate in the future to eliminate the actual processes that cause diseases.
#Nerolidol #terpene #special #medicinal #properties