<DIV>Hello all,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Many thanks to several of members who gave me good suggestions on chemicals in Mentha spicata. Thanks!!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>My poster presentation, whose abstract is pasted below, to the recent Natural Products Gordon Research Conference was well received. I was encouraged to generate experimental data. As I am currently not affiliated with any institution that has laboratory facilities, I am actively looking for collaborators. I wonder if some of you or your colleagues would have an interest in my suggested experiments that are also pasted below. For those who wish to conduct the research, proper credit will certainly be given.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Marjorie Nieh</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3><B><U><SPAN style="COLOR: black">A Personal Anecdote with Spearmint (Mentha spicata) as Migraine Prophylaxis<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN></U></B><SPAN style="COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt">M.T. Nieh, Ph.D., Independent Scholar, Rensselaer, NY (</SPAN></FONT></FONT><A href="mailto:mintresearch@yahoo.com"><SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>mintresearch@yahoo.com</FONT></SPAN></A><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3>)<B><U><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></B></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><U><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Unicode MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></U></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">The author’s serendipitous discovery revealed that the brewed tea of a spearmint species (Mentha spicata, Lamiaceae) has successfully treated her migraine headache attacks. This is a very easily prepared and inexpensive remedy with no adverse side effect.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This remedy exceeds the efficacy of large doses of riboflavin (vitaminB2), that has been reported as prophylaxis for migraines, and that the author used it for over two years before spearmint. <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">The major component in the spearmint is l-carvone or R-(-)-carvone (~70%) in addition to nearly sixty minor components, many of which are terpenoids.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">The known natural antimigraine remedies, e.g. feverfew (Tanacetum partheniuim) and butterbur rhizomes (Petasites hybridus, Asteraceae) contain sesquiterpene lactones and sesquiterpene esters, respectively.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Studies showed that they inhibit: blood platelet aggregation, release of serotonin in addition altering the arachidonic acid pathway which decreases the synthesis of the inflammatory chemical mediators, prostaglandins and leukotrienes. <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">A most recent research study revealed that terpenoids of the non-psychoactive cannabis, cannabidiol (CBD) and terpineol, modify the serotonin-binding activity at the 5HT1a and 5HT2a receptor sites.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The potential of CBD suggests an acutely active anti-migraine drug while that of terpineol, putatively prophylactic.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Unicode MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3><SPAN style="COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">The author proposes a possible correlation between the pharmacological activities of sesquiterpenoids as found in feverfew, butterbur, monoterpenoids as found in cannabis and of monoterpenoids as found in spearmint.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>She speculates that those terpenoids that are potential migraine remedies might be stereospecific (levorotatory), which could be lead targets for the development of anitmigraine drugs. She further promotes studies of spearmint tea as a safe and very low-cost natural antimigraine remedy</SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: black">. </SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3><B><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt">Suggested Experiments on Spearmint as </SPAN></B><B><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt">Migraine</SPAN></B><B><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt"> Prophylaxis, Marjorie T. Nieh<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoHeader style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Unicode MS'"><FONT size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<OL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=1>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3>Evaluate l-carvone on <SPAN style="COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">5HT1</SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt; mso-text-raise: -2.5pt">a </SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">receptor binding properties and signal transduction assays.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3><SPAN style="COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">Identify active ingredient (s) of spearmint: evaluation of l-carvone, l-limonene, etc. (other essential oils of spearmint) on 5HT1</SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt; mso-text-raise: -2.5pt">a </SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">receptor binding properties and signal transduction assays.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Very likely it is an herbal synergism that is effective.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3>Determine the time for tea brewing that corresponds to optimal concentrations of major chemicals (GC-MS).<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Clinical studies using spearmint (Mentha spicata) tea: A manufacturer in CA offers free samples of organic spearmint tea bags for clinical studies. Since a placebo for spearmint tea may be difficult to find, a comparative study could be feasible. It is unlikely that the spearmint will be administered as a capsule of dry leaves as feverfew or butterbur is administered.</FONT></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">Stereospecificity of natural antimigraine remedies: </SPAN>evaluation of l-carvone vs. d-carvone, (-)-</FONT><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol">a</SPAN></SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman">-terpineol vs. (+)-</FONT><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol">a</SPAN></SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman">-terpineol on <SPAN style="COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">5HT1</SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR:
black; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt; mso-text-raise: -2.5pt">a </SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">receptor binding properties.</SPAN><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Pharmacokinetics: study the bioavailability of spearmint oils and identify metabolites.<SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">Mechanism(s) of action of spearmint: study the effect of l-carvone, etc. on </SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: black">NF-ęB activity, </SPAN>evaluation of l-carvone, etc. on <SPAN style="COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">5HT1</SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt; mso-text-raise: -2.5pt">a </SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">receptor binding properties.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Metabolites of the essential oils may play the role.</SPAN></FONT></FONT><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></LI></OL></DIV><p>
<hr size=1> <a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=34442/*http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs">Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page </a>