Eugenol is a volatile phenolic constituent of clove essential oil obtained from Eugenia caryophyllata buds and leaves.
It is a functional ingredient of numerous products which have been used in the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industry in restricted concentrations.
Its derivatives have been used in medicine as a local antiseptic and anesthetic. The wide range of eugenol activities includes antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant.
Although eugenol is considered safe as a product, due to the vast range of different applications and extensive use, there has been a great concern about its toxicity in recent years. However, studies about cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of eugenol are very limited and controversial.
The pharmacological and toxicological properties of eugenol will be discussed in this review.
Investigations of anti-inflammatory effects of eugenol,
have suggested that this compound is able to suppress the
expressions of cyclooxygenase II enzyme.
Eugenol dimers can
inhibit the expression of cytokines in macrophages, which are
stimulated by polysaccharides.
7 ENDODONTICS BOOKS that every specialist must read. The following list of Endodontics books includes literature published since 2000. Professionals in this specialty have to read this collection of books.
