| Abstract | Eterična ulja su više ili manje složene smjese prirodnih spojeva, produkti metabolizma biljaka. Hlapljiva su te se zbog toga najčešće izdvajaju procesom destilacije. Ispitivanja kvalitete eteričnih ulja i zahtjevi za kakvoću pojedinog ulja, navedena su u monografijama Farmakopeje ili AFNOR/ ISO normama.
Eterično ulje sadrži veliki broj spojeva. U kemijskom sastavu obično dominiraju dvije ili više komponenti, dok su ostale prisutne u tragovima. U kemijski sastav ulaze terpeni (mono- ili seskvi-terpeni), fenilpropanski derivati i ostali spojevi.
Biološka aktivnost eteričnih ulja ovisi o njihovom kemijskom sastavu. Zbog svoje lipofilnosti eterična ulja lako prolaze fosfolipidni dvosloj stanične membrane mnogih bakterija i gljivica te ostvaruju antimikrobno djelovanje. Na više načina eterična ulja djeluju citotoksično na stanice. Mogu mijenjati propusnost stanične membrane za ione, ometati rad ATP crpke i dovoditi do energetskog deficita, mijenjati sastav membrane ili povećavajati njezinu fluidnost. Neka eterična ulja su potencijalno toksična. Eterično ulje bergamota sadrži molekulu psoralen koja se uslijed izlaganja sunčevoj energiji aktivira u oblike koji dovode do oštećenja stanice. Mnogim eteričnim uljima, tj. njihovim glavnim komponentama (npr. bergapten, safrol) ispituje se utjecaj na genetski materijal i stvaranje mutacija, odnosno njihova mutagenost i kancerogenost. S druge strane, eterično ulje kamilice ili često korišten začin cimet pokazuju svojstva ''dezmutagena'' koji štite od mutageneze. Eterična ulja s terpenoidima i fenolima poput kaduljinog ili origanovog, štite stanice od oksidacijskog stresa. Zbog svog antivirusnog djelovanja 1,8-cineol vrlo je popularan u liječenju infekcija dišnih puteva kao i druga eterična ulja s aldehidima koji su odgovorni za antivirusni učinak. Eterično ulje lavande djeluje anksiolitički i spazmolitički. Kao analgetici stoljećima se primjenjuju klinčić (eugenol je djelatna komponenta) i paparena metvice ((-)mentol je djelatna komponenta). Eterična ulja bogata 1,8-cineolom, eterično ulje eukaliptusa globulusa, ružmarin, anis i komorač našli su primjenu u liječnju kašlja jer djeluju kao ekspektoransi i mukolitici. Eterično ulje kima poznato je po svom učinku u probavnom sustavu i ublažavanju nadutosti. Eterična ulja citronele koriste se zbog svog repelentnog djelovanja. Mnoga eterična ulja imaju primjenu u kozmetici, pospješuju regeneraciju kože, uklanjaju ožiljke, daju specifične note parfemima. Osim u kozmetologiji, danas su eterična ulja popularna i kao začini i konzervansi u prehrambenoj industriji.
Zbog mnogih navedenih poznatih učinaka, eterična ulja i njihove glavne komponente postaju značajni predmeti znanstvenih istraživanja i primjene u svakodnevnom životu. |
| Abstract (english) | Essential oils are more or less complex mixtures of natural compounds, products of plant metabolism. They are volatile and are therefore most often isolated by the distillation process. Tests of quality essential oils and requirements for the quality of individual oils are listed in the monographs Pharmacopoeia or AFNOR / ISO norms.
Essential oils contain a large number of compounds. The chemical composition is usually dominated by two or more components, while others are traceable. The chemical composition includes terpenes (mono- or sesquiterpene), phenylpropane derivatives, and other compounds.
Biological activity of the essential oils depends on their chemical composition. Because of their lipophilicity they easily pass the phospholipid bilayer cell membranes of many bacteria and fungi and exhibit antimicrobial activity. In many ways the essential oils act cytotoxic to the cells. They can change ion band membrane permeability, interfere with ATP pump operation, and lead to energy deficit, change membrane composition, or increase its fluid flow. Some essential oils are potentially toxic. Bergamot oil contains a psoralen molecule which, due to the exposure to sunlight, activates into forms that cause cell damage. Many essential oils, or their major components (ex. bergapten, safrol) are investigating the effect on genetic material and the formation of mutations (mutagenicity and carcinogenicity). On the other hand, camomile oil or frequently used cinnamon oil exhibit "mutagenesis-deficient" dismutase properties. Essential oils with terpenoids and phenols such as sage or oregano, protect the cells from oxidative stress. Because of its antiviral activity, 1,8-cineole is very popular in the treatment of respiratory infections as well as other essential oils with aldehydes that are responsible for the antiviral effect. Lavender oil acts anxiolytically and spasmolytically. As analgesics for centuries are used centipedes (eugenol is an active component) and peppermint ((-) menthol is an active component). Essential oils rich in 1,8-cinneol like oils of the eucalyptus globulus, rosemary, anise, and fennel are used in the treatment of cough because of the action of the expectorants and mucositis. Cumin oil is known for its effect on the digestive system and the suppression of the overgrowth. Essential oils of citruses are used because of their repulsive activity. Many essential oils have application in cosmetics, improve regeneration of the skin, remove scars, give special note to perfumes. Except for cosmetology, today's essential oils are popular as spices and preservatives in the food industry.
Due to many of known effects, essential oils and their major ingredients become important subjects of scientific research and application in everyday life. |
