1. Eucalyptol (1,8-cineole): an underutilized ally in respiratory disorders?
- Author
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Galan, Derick M., Ezeudu, Ngozi E., Garcia, Jasmine, Geronimo, Chalice A., Berry, Nicholas M., and Malcolm, Benjamin J.
- Subjects
TREATMENT effectiveness ,EUCALYPTUS ,OBSTRUCTIVE lung diseases ,DISEASES ,BRONCHITIS ,ESSENTIAL oils ,CLINICAL trials - Abstract
Essential oil extracted from eucalyptus leaves has a long folkloric history of being used for the treatment of respiratory conditions. The primary terpenoid constituent in the essential oil of eucalyptus (EOE) is eucalyptol (1,8-cineole or cineole), which has been studied in both preclinical and clinical settings. Eucalyptol displays several pharmacologic activities that may provide therapeutic effects in respiratory conditions such as anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatory effects. Several clinical trials have been performed in persons affected with respiratory illness such as rhinosinusitis, bronchitis, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) with positive results. The objectives of this review are to provide a mechanistic overview of EOE with a focus on the primary constituent eucalyptol, summarize the pharmacology of eucalyptol in respiratory conditions, describe clinical trial data that has been generated by studying eucalyptol in humans for respiratory conditions, and discuss clinical and safety considerations for the use of EOE or eucalyptol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
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