Artemisia dracunculus L. (Tarragon): A Critical Review of Its Traditional Use, Chemical Composition, Pharmacology, and Safety

Artemisia dracunculus L. (tarragon) has a long history of use as a spice and remedy. Two well-described “cultivars” (Russian and French) are used widely and differ in ploidy level, morphology, and chemistry. Key biologically active secondary metabolites are essential oils (0.15–3.1%), coumarins (>...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of agricultural and food chemistry 2011-11, Vol.59 (21), p.11367-11384
Main Authors: Obolskiy, Dmitry, Pischel, Ivo, Feistel, Bjoern, Glotov, Nikolay, Heinrich, Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
acids
acute toxicity
Animals
Anti-Inflammatory Agents - adverse effects
Anti-Inflammatory Agents - chemistry
Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology
Artemisia - chemistry
Artemisia dracunculus
chemical composition
clinical trials
coumarins
cultivars
Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
essential oils
flavonoids
Humans
Hypoglycemic Agents - adverse effects
Hypoglycemic Agents - chemistry
Hypoglycemic Agents - pharmacology
in vivo studies
methyl chavicol
mutagenicity
pharmacology
Phytotherapy
Plant Extracts - adverse effects
Plant Extracts - chemistry
Plant Extracts - pharmacology
risk
rodents
secondary metabolites
spices
tarragon
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Summary:Artemisia dracunculus L. (tarragon) has a long history of use as a spice and remedy. Two well-described “cultivars” (Russian and French) are used widely and differ in ploidy level, morphology, and chemistry. Key biologically active secondary metabolites are essential oils (0.15–3.1%), coumarins (>1%), flavonoids, and phenolcarbonic acids. In vivo studies mainly in rodents, particularly from Russian sources, highlight potential anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and antihyperglycemic effects. Despite concerns about the toxic effects of two of its main constituents, estragole (up to 82%) and methyleugenol (up to 39%), no acute toxicity or mutagenic activity has been reported at doses relevant for human consumption. Water extracts of A. dracunculus contain very low amounts of estragole and methyleugenol and, therefore, are considered to pose a very limited risk. Overall, a stronger focus on clinical studies and precise taxonomic and phytochemical definition of the source material will be essential for future research efforts.
ISSN:0021-8561
1520-5118
DOI:10.1021/jf202277w