Allspice

Generic name: Pimenta Dioica (L.) Merr.
Brand names: Allspice, Clove Pepper, Jamaica Pepper, Newspice, Pimenta, Pimento

Usage of Allspice

Any pharmacologic activity associated with the plant is most likely caused by the presence of eugenol; however, clinical studies are lacking.(Duke 2002) Antioxidant properties have been described for allspice, especially from compounds like eugenol, quercetin, and gallic acid, but studies evaluating this property in clinical applications are also lacking.(Kikuzaki 2008, Padmakumari 2011, Tsai 2007, Zhang 2012)

Antimicrobial effects

Animal and in vitro data

Allspice essential oil has been evaluated for effect against nematodes and ticks.(Martinez-Velazquez 2011, Park 2007) Activity has also been demonstrated against a limited range of bacteria including Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Listeria monocytogenes, with possible applications in the food industry.(Du 2009, Du 2009) Activity appears limited against Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli toxin.(Masatcioglu 2005, Takemasa 2009) P. dioica exerted antimicrobial effects against multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii wound infections in a murine model.(Ismail 2020) Additionally, an essential oil extracted from P. dioica exerted activity against A. baumannii, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans.(Lorenzo-Leal 2019)

In a rat model, rutin, chlorogenic acid, and gallic acid isolated from P. dioicashowed activity against SAR-CoV-2, and ferulic acid and rutin demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity. Further studies are needed.(El Gizawy 2021)

Cytotoxic effects

In vitro data

Extracts of P. dioica exerted cytotoxic effects in various lines of breast, cervical, hepatic, and gastric cancer cells.(Doyle 2018, Youssef 2021) An aqueous extract of P. dioica inhibited tumor cell proliferation and colony formation in prostate cancer cells. Specifically, it blocked cell cycle progression and induced apoptosis. It also attenuated androgen receptor (AR) activity in prostate cancer cells that were AR-positive. The majority of these effects were attributed to the bioactive compound, ericifolin, from the aqueous extract.(Shamaladevi 2013)

Women's health effects

In vitro data

A methanol extract from the plant leaves showed prohibitory and inhibitory effects on estrogen receptors in vitro, supporting the traditional use of allspice in menopause in Costa Rica.(Doyle 2009, Doyle 2018)

Allspice side effects

Allspice and extracts of the plant can be irritating to mucous membranes.Duke 2002, Leung 2003

Before taking Allspice

GRAS when used as food. Avoid ingestion in excess of amounts found in food because safety and efficacy are unproven.FDA 2011

How to use Allspice

The essential oil of allspice has been used at doses of 0.05 to 0.2 mL; however, there is no clinical evidence to support this dosage.Duke 2002 Traditional uses of allspice have reported 5 to 10 mL per 240 mL of water taken 3 times a day.Duke 2002

Warnings

Although allspice has not been generally associated with toxicity, eugenol can be toxic in high concentrations. Ingestion of more than 5 mL of allspice oil may induce nausea, vomiting, CNS depression, and convulsions.Spoerke 1980 When the oil and eugenol were applied to intact, shaved abdominal mouse skin, no percutaneous absorption was observed.Leung 2003

What other drugs will affect Allspice

None well documented. An in vitro experiment suggests allspice may upregulate cytochrome P450 3A4 activity; however, the relevance of this finding is unknown.Lee 2007

Disclaimer

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