Antimicrobial Study – Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is one of my favorite herbs with a pleasant aroma and taste. The herb is often used as a calming herb.  During stressful times I’ve used Lemon balm with Skullcap and/or St. Johnswort. If you can get fresh leaves it is a real treat, very different from the dry herb.  Aside from Lemon balm used as a calming herb, it has antimicrobial properties too. Below are studies done on the Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) which is part of the mint family.

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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15142347

J Pharm Pharmacol. 2004 May;56(5):677-81

Melissa officinalis L. essential oil: antitumoral and antioxidant activities.

de Sousa AC, Alviano DS, Blank AF, Alves PB, Alviano CS, Gattass CR.

Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco C, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro 21941-900, Rio de Janeiro, R.J., Brazil.

Melissa officinalis L (lemon balm) is a traditional herbal medicine used widely as a mild sedative, spasmolytic and antibacterial agent. This paper focuses on the analysis of the chemical composition and the biological activities of M. officinalis essential oil obtained under controlled harvesting and drying conditions. An in-vitro cytotoxicity assay using MTT indicated that this oil was very effective against a series of human cancer cell lines (A549, MCF-7, Caco-2, HL-60, K562) and a mouse cell line (B16F10). This oil possessed antioxidant activity, as evidenced by reduction of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH). These results pointed to the potential use of M. officinalis essential oil as an antitumoral agent.

PMID: 15142347 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T8D-4GBWJDS-1&...

_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&

md5=cf226f04814e36882dba8ea04a6bcd27

Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Volume 99, Issue 3, 14 July 2005, Pages 391-398

Copyright © 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd All rights reserved.

Protective role of Melissa officinalis L. extract on liver of hyperlipidemic rats: A morphological and biochemical study

S. Bolkent, R. Yanardag, Omur Karabulut-Bulan and B. Yesilyaprak

Istanbul University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, 34459-Vezneciler, Istanbul, Turkey.  Istanbul University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Chemistry, 34850 Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey

Received 1 February 2005;  accepted 24 February 2005.  Available online 8 June 2005

Abstract

In this study, the effects of Melissa officinalis L. extract on hyperlipidemic rats were investigated, morphologically and biochemically. The animals were fed a lipogenic diet consisting of 2% cholesterol, 20% sunflower oil and 0.5% cholic acid added to normal chow and were given 3% ethanol for 42 days. The plant extract was given by gavage technique to rats to a dose of 2 g/kg every day for 28, 14 days after experimental animals done hyperlipidemia. The degenerative changes were observed in hyperlipidemic rats, light and electron microscopically. There was a significant increase in the levels of serum cholesterol, total lipid, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a significant decrease in the levels of liver tissue glutathione (GSH), a significant increase in the levels of tissue lipid peroxidation (LPO) in this group. On the other hand, the administration of Melissa officinalis L. extract reduced total cholesterol, total lipid, ALT, AST and ALP levels in serum, and LPO levels in liver tissue, moreover increased glutathione levels in the tissue. As a result, it was suggested that Melissa officinalis L. extract exerted an hypolipidemic effect and showed a protective effect on the liver of hyperlipidemic rats.

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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15636181?ordinalpos=1&

itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_Discovery_

RA&linkpos=3&log$=relatedarticles&logdbfrom=pubmed

Phytomedicine. 2004 Nov;11(7-8):657-61

Antiviral activity of the volatile oils of Melissa officinalis L. against Herpes simplex virus type-2.

Allahverdiyev A, Duran N, Ozguven M, Koltas S.

Tropical Diseases Center, Faculty of Medicine, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey.

Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) has been used in a variety of practical applications in medical science. Our objective in the current study was to determine the effects of the volatile oil components of M. officinalis on Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) replication in HEp-2 cells. Four different concentrations (25, 50, 100, 150 and 200 microg/ml) of volatile oils were examined. Experiments were carried out using HEp-2 cells. M. officinalis volatile oil was found to be non-toxic to HEp-2 cells up to a concentration of 100 micro/ml. It was, however, found to be slightly toxic at a concentration over of 100 microg/ml. The antiviral activity of non-toxic concentrations against HSV-2 was tested. The replication of HSV-2 was inhibited, indicating that the M. officinalis L. extract contains an anti-HSV-2 substance.

PMID: 15636181 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15005424?ordinalpos=1&

itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_Discovery_

RA&linkpos=1&log$=relatedarticles&logdbfrom=pubmed

Acta Pol Pharm. 2003 Sep-Oct;60(5):395-400

Variability in the content and composition of essential oil from lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) cultivated in Poland.

Patora J, Majda T, Góra J, Klimek B.

Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lódź, Lódź, Poland.

Essential oil from a few different population of M. officinalis cultivated in Poland has been investigated. The percentage of essential oil ranged from 0.08 to 0.25 ml/100 g in the leaves and from 0.06 to 0.167 ml/100 g in the herb and was higher in the plant material from experimental patch than that from commercial cultivations. Comparative determinations of the essential oil in fresh and dried material showed slightly higher content of the oil in the fresh one. The analysis of the oil composition has been performed by GC and GC/MS. Great differences in the contents of citral, citronellal, linalool, nerol, geraniol beta-caryophyllene and beta-caryophyllene oxide among the populations has been found. Effect of the harvest time, drying and storage on the composition of lemon balm oil has also been studied.

PMID: 15005424 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE

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http://www.scindeks.nbs.bg.ac.yu/clanak.php?issn=0354-7531&je=en&prv=...

id=0354-75310510243A

Hemijska industrija
2005, Vol. 59, No. 9-10, pp. 243-247
article in Serbian

Aničić Nada V.; Dimitrijević Suzana; Tehnološko-metalurški fakultet, Beograd Ristić Mihailo S.
Institut za proučavanje lekovitog bilja "dr Josif Pančić", Beograd
Petrović Slobodan S.; Tehnološko-metalurški fakultet, Beograd
Petrović Slobodan D.; Hemofarm koncern, Vršac

Amtimicrobial activity of essential oil of Melissa officinalis L, Lamiaceae

Abstract
The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Melissa officinalis was investigated in this paper. The essential oil was obtained by the principle of water and steam and analyzed by GC and GC-MS using FID and MSD. The main components of the oil of Melissa officinalis were geranial (17.30%), neral (14.70%) and citronellal (10.70%). The antimicrobial properties were tested against the following bacterial species: B subtilis, B.cereus Bifidobacterium sp., Corynobacterium sp., E. coli, Klebsiella sp., L. acidophilus, L. fermentum, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, Listeria monocytogenes, P. vulgaris, P. aerugenosa, S. enteritidis, Shigella sp., S. aureus, and fungi Candida albicans, Alternarija sp. and Aspergillus niger. The diffusion technique was used for testing: the antimicrobial activity, and the MIC was determined by the broth dilution method. The essential oil of M. officinalis showed high antimicrobial activity.

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Note on the below:

Below is a mention of Commission E – they are a highly regarded group that herbalist use as a reference. The Commission E in Germany publishes a book on herbs that would be equivalent to the Physicians’ Desk Reference (PDR).

There is also a mention about  high levels of lead found. Problems with medicinal plants containing toxins generally has to do with where plants are grown/harvested, region, soil, etc.  – this has always been  a factor on the potency of herbs and why they vary in efficacy.  Once again, try to learn about  your source and where the herbs come from. Personally, I’ve never heard of the lead issue, but it could be one of disinformation things that seems to be happening more often.

DD

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Antoine Al-Achi, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Campbell University
School of Pharmacy, Buies Creek, NC

Melissa officinalis, or lemon balm, is a perennial herb native to southern Europe.¹ This herb is also found in many regions of the United States. The leaves have a lemony scent and taste. The use of lemon balm in traditional folk medicine may date back to the "balm" mentioned in the book of Genesis (see King James version 37:25 and 43:11).² Lemon balm has been added to wine, beer, and tea as a flavoring agent. It has been used to treat nervous disorders, rheumatism, and gastrointestinal troubles.³ Lemon balm has also been used to manage Graves' disease⁴ and to induce sedation.

Chemical Composition
The major components of lemon balm are caffeic acid (a tannin),¹ several flavonoids (luteolin-7-O-glucoside, isoquercitrin, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, and rhamnocitrin),⁵ rosmarinic acid,⁶ ferulic acid,⁷ methyl carnosoate,⁸ hydroxycinnamic acid,⁸ and 2-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,3-benzodioxole-5-aldehyde.³ The essential oil (0.19% v/w; obtained by a water distillation method) from the flowers contains various aldehydes: geranial (the major constituent in oil), citronellal, beta-caryophyllene, neral, and geranyl acetate.⁹

Physiology and Pharmacology
The potential effects of lemon balm range from antiviral to sedative to antioxidant, and can be classified into several categories.

Antiviral, Antibacterial, or Antifungal Activities: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, the antiviral effect of lemon balm on herpes simplex virus was investigated.¹⁰ The criterion used as a therapeutic outcome was a combined-symptoms score at day 2 of therapy, when the symptoms are usually most intense. Lemon balm was administered topically to 34 patients with recurrent herpes labialis, whereas 32 matched patients with the disease received a placebo formulation. Patients who received the herbal formulation had a statistically lower combined-symptoms score than the placebo group (i.e., they experienced fewer overall symptoms than the control group).¹⁰ These effects on the herpes virus are believed to be related to the presence of caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, and ferulic acid in the plant.⁷

The aqueous extract of lemon balm showed anti-HIV activity by inhibiting HIV-1 reverse transcriiptase in vitro.¹¹ Interestingly, the essential oil obtained from lemon balm was devoid of any anti-HIV-1 effect.¹¹ The oil essence of lemon balm was shown to possess both antibacterial and antifungal activities in vitro.¹²

Antitumor Effects: Lemon balm's leaves were found to contain substances that inhibit protein biosynthesis in cancer cells. Caffeic acid and a glycoside isolated from the leaves were responsible for this anti-tumor activity.¹³ The target sites of protein biosynthesis inhibition are believed to be the ribosomes or some particular elongation factors (such as eEF-2) acting during protein synthesis.^13,14 It was shown that the phosphorylated form of eEF-2 is biologically inactive, while the dephosphorylated type is the active moiety.¹⁴ Therefore, lemon balm's substances are apparently capable of phosphorylating eEF-2 elongation factor and rendering it inactive.

Antithyrotropic Effect: In animal models, lyophilized extracts of lemon balm have shown antithyrotropic effects.⁴ Unidentified components of lemon balm have the ability to bind to thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and render it incapable of binding to its receptors in vitro.¹⁵ Immunoglobulins (IgG) obtained from nine patients with Graves' disease were shown to inhibit the interaction of TSH with its receptors in a dose-dependent manner. Circulating IgG in plasma binds to TSH receptors and thus prevents TSH from binding to its receptors. Components in lemon balm bind to TSH receptors and preclude IgG or TSH binding to receptors. Caffeic acid present in lemon balm produced similar inhibitory effect on IgG binding.⁴

Sedative Effects: The administration of a hydroalcoholic extract of lemon balm in mice resulted in a sedative effect in a dose-dependent fashion (increased up to 25 mg/kg, and then decreased at higher doses).¹⁶ At low doses (3 to 6 mg/kg) the herb induced sleep in mice.¹⁶ The essential oil obtained from lemon balm produced a relaxant effect on the tracheal and ileal smooth muscles of the guinea pig.¹⁷

Miscellaneous Effects: Rosmarinic acid, found in lemon balm, has an inhibitory effect on the complement system involved in inflammatory processes.⁶

At higher doses (400 to 1,600 mg/kg), an analgesic effect was observed in mice. This analgesic mode of action of lemon balm was not similar to that of morphine sulfate, but comparable to that of lysine acetylsalicylate (that is, there was a peripheral effect rather than a central action).¹⁶

Several of the compounds in lemon balm have antioxidant properties, with rosmarinic acid being the most potent.⁸ The antioxidant effect of rosmarinic acid (in a hydroalcoholic extract, 2.21% w/v) was shown to be superior even to that of a vitamin E derivative (alpha-tocopherol acid succinate).⁸ The 1,3-benzodioxole compound [2-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,3-benzodioxole-5-aldehyde] was also shown to possess antioxidative activity in vitro, comparable to that observed with rosmarinic acid.³ However, rosmarinic acid is the most significant of the two compounds; 57% of the antioxidant activity of lemon balm extract due to rosmarinic acid. In this study, both rosmarinic acid and the 1,3-benzodioxole compounds showed a ten-fold greater antioxidant activity than either vitamins C or E.³

Precautions
Until more clinical studies are performed on this herb, it should be used with caution. For instance, a study done in United Kingdom warned that herbs in general (including lemon balm) contain higher amounts of lead than vegetables, cereals, or fruits.¹⁸ The potential antithyrotropic activity of lemon balm also raises serious concerns. This effect of lemon balm is perhaps most serious in patients with hypothyroid disease. In fact, hypothyroid disease is probably a direct contraindication to its use. The potential sleep-inducing and sedative properties of lemon balm may have serious consequences in patients who operate machinery or drive a motor vehicle. Moreover, there is evidence in animal models that lemon balm may enhance the hypnotic effect of pentobarbital¹⁶ and hexobarbital¹⁹ due to its sedative and sleep-inducing activities. Pharmacists should point out potential side effects of lemon balm and advise patients to consult their physician before taking this herb.

Conclusion
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a traditional herb used for its sedative properties and to treat Graves' disease. The herb also possesses antiviral and antimicrobial activities. Its potential use as an antitumor agent has been under investigation as well. However, more clinical studies are needed in order to fully ascertain this herb's efficacy and safety.

 

 

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