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Cloves Flower Bud Extract

Also known as: Clove, Clove Flower Bud Extract, Eugenia caryophyllata, Syzygium aromaticum

Overview

Clove flower bud extract is derived from the dried flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum, a plant traditionally valued as both a spice and a medicinal agent. This extract is notably rich in phenolic compounds, with eugenol being the primary active constituent, often comprising up to 85% of its composition, alongside eugenol acetate and gallic acid. It is recognized for a broad spectrum of potential health benefits, including potent antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties. Beyond its use as a dietary supplement, clove oil and extracts find applications in food preservation, dental care, topical pain relief, and as functional food ingredients. While preclinical research, including in vitro and animal studies, extensively supports its pharmacological potential, high-quality human clinical trials are still limited, indicating a need for further research to fully establish its efficacy and safety in human populations.

Benefits

Clove flower bud extract offers several evidence-based benefits, primarily attributed to its high eugenol content: * **Antioxidant:** It exhibits strong antioxidant activity, comparable to or exceeding synthetic antioxidants like BHT and alpha-tocopherol in various in vitro assays (DPPH, ABTS, ferric reducing power). This suggests its potential in combating oxidative stress. * **Antimicrobial:** Clove oil and extracts effectively inhibit the growth of various bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as fungi such as Candida species. This makes it a promising natural antimicrobial agent. * **Antidiabetic:** Preclinical animal studies indicate that clove extract can reduce hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes models. Its mechanism involves inhibiting carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes (alpha-glucosidase, alpha-amylase) and modulating glucose metabolism pathways like AMPK and sirtuin-1. Some compounds also bind to PPAR receptors, suggesting broader metabolic regulation. * **Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory:** Eugenol, the main active compound, has been shown to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, which contributes to its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. * **Anticancer:** In vitro studies demonstrate that eugenol can induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in various cancer cell lines, primarily through the generation of reactive oxygen species and activation of mitochondrial pathways. * **Antiviral:** Preliminary in vitro evidence suggests that clove extract, particularly when combined with acyclovir, may enhance antiviral activity against HSV-1 and influenza virus.

How it works

The therapeutic actions of clove flower bud extract are largely mediated by its primary active compound, eugenol, and other phenolic constituents. As a potent antioxidant, eugenol directly scavenges free radicals and inhibits oxidative stress pathways, protecting cells from damage. Its antimicrobial effects stem from disrupting microbial cell membranes and interfering with essential enzyme functions, leading to bacterial and fungal inhibition. For antidiabetic effects, the extract inhibits digestive enzymes like alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase, reducing post-meal glucose absorption, and activates key metabolic regulators such as AMPK and PPARs. In cancer cells, eugenol induces apoptosis by triggering mitochondrial permeability transition, cytochrome c release, and downregulating anti-apoptotic proteins. Additionally, eugenol contributes to analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are crucial mediators of pain and inflammation.

Side effects

Clove oil is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for food use. However, when used as an extract or in higher concentrations, potential side effects and safety considerations arise. Common side effects are rare but may include allergic reactions, such as contact dermatitis or oral mucosal irritation, particularly when applied topically or ingested in high doses. Eugenol, the primary active compound, can exhibit cytotoxicity at high concentrations, as observed in in vitro studies on osteoblastic cells. While drug interactions are not extensively documented, caution is advised when combining clove extract with anticoagulants due to potential effects on blood clotting, or with other drugs metabolized by the liver, as clove constituents might modulate liver enzymes. Contraindications include individuals with a known allergy to clove or eugenol. The safety of clove extract during pregnancy and lactation has not been well established, and its use in these populations should be approached with caution and under medical supervision. Overall, while generally safe in culinary amounts, higher doses or concentrated forms require careful consideration due to potential adverse effects and interactions.

Dosage

There is currently no standardized dosing regimen for clove flower bud extract due to the variability in extract preparations and the limited number of high-quality human clinical trials. Animal studies have utilized doses that, when extrapolated to human equivalent doses, range from approximately 50 to 500 mg/kg of clove extract. However, these are not direct recommendations for human use. For topical applications, clove oil must be significantly diluted to prevent skin or mucosal irritation. The bioavailability of eugenol, the main active compound, is considered moderate, suggesting that formulations designed to enhance absorption might improve its efficacy. Given the lack of established human dosages and potential for side effects at high concentrations, it is crucial to exercise caution. Individuals should consult with a healthcare professional before using clove flower bud extract, especially for therapeutic purposes, to determine an appropriate and safe dosage, and to understand any potential interactions or contraindications.

FAQs

Is clove extract safe for daily use?

Generally, yes, in culinary amounts and diluted topical applications. However, high doses or concentrated forms should be used cautiously due to potential irritation or cytotoxicity, especially with prolonged daily use.

How long until benefits appear?

Antioxidant and antimicrobial effects can be immediate in vitro. For metabolic or anticancer benefits, which are primarily observed in preclinical studies, longer-term and consistent use would likely be required in vivo, but human data is limited.

Can clove extract replace diabetes medication?

No, clove extract may support glucose control by inhibiting certain enzymes, but it is not a substitute for prescribed diabetes medication. Always consult a healthcare professional for diabetes management.

Research Sources

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10755278/ – This review summarizes the antidiabetic potential of clove extract, highlighting its ability to inhibit alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase enzymes, reduce hyperglycemia in diabetic animal models, and modulate key metabolic pathways like AMPK and PPARs. The study notes that while promising, most evidence comes from animal studies, with limited human clinical trials.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3819475/ – This review focuses on the strong antioxidant activity of clove, demonstrating its effectiveness in various in vitro assays. It concludes that clove's antioxidant capacity is comparable to or even superior to synthetic antioxidants, suggesting its potential as a natural antioxidant and food preservative, though clinical relevance needs further investigation.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.987674/full – This review details the diverse pharmacological properties of clove oil and its main component, eugenol. It covers antibacterial, analgesic, and anticancer activities, explaining how eugenol induces apoptosis in cancer cells and inhibits prostaglandin synthesis for pain relief. The authors emphasize that much of the evidence is from in vitro and animal studies, with human clinical data being sparse.
https://publishing.emanresearch.org/CurrentIssuePDF/EmanPublisher_1_5697angiotherapy-8109864.pdf – This review explores the antiviral potential of clove aqueous extract, particularly in combination with acyclovir, showing enhanced activity against HSV-1 and influenza virus in in vitro settings. The study highlights that these findings are preliminary and based solely on in vitro experiments, with no clinical data available to support human application.