Medical Attributes of
Coriandrum sativum - Coriander
by Victoria Ditchkus
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA
July 2015
Coriandrum sativum (coriander) is an annual
herbaceous plant belonging to the Apiaceae (parsnip family) (Singh
et al. 2012). The plant has both compound and simple leaves that are
alternate on an erect stem. The flowers are bisexual, with
blue/purple, pink/red, and white corollas (Go Botany 2011). The
fruits are dry schizocarps. Flowers occur in flat, round umbels.
Coriander is native to the Mediterranean but is grown worldwide. It
is mostly seen growing in meadows and fields (Go Botany 2011).
Coriander enjoys a wide range of herbal uses. These include: a
digestive, an anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic,
anxiolytic, anti-epileptic, anti-depressant, anti-mutagenic,
anti-inflammatory, anti-dyslipidemic, anti-hypertensive,
neuro-protective, diuretic, hypoglycemic, analgesic,
anti-convulsant, and anti-cancer (Laribi et al.2015). It has also
been shown to have lead-detoxifying potential (Velaga et al. 2014).
More recently the bioactive constituents are used in combination
with conventional drugs to enhance the treatment of diseases such as
Alzheimer’s and cancer and has been used to treat diabetes,
hyperlipidemia, liver disease, and cancer (Hwang et al. 2014). It
has also been known to treat malaria, stomach offset and nausea
(Balasubramanian et al. 2015). The plant is a good source of lipids
and the essential oil linalool found in the seeds (Sahib et al.
2012). All parts of the plant are used for flavoring and for
the medicinal uses in various cultures (Sahib et al. 2012). The main
cultures that use the herb are those of India but many European
cultures as well as Russians have used them (Pieroni & Gray.
2008).
Many chemical constituents have been found in coriander but a few
are especially noteworthy. Decyl (10) and nonyl (9) aldehydes
comprise the main part of the leaves, giving them their distinctive
aroma. Other major components of the leaves include 2-decenoic acid,
decanoic acid (capric acid) and tetradecenoic acid. The seeds of the
coriander contain linalool, which is a ten-carbon, terpene alcohol.
Aldehydes in the leaves give the plant a soapy taste (Compound
Interest 2014). Coriander oil is the most common part of the plant
used and is comprised of several compounds. These include borneol,
linalool, cineole, cymene, terpineol, dipentene, phellandrene,
pinene and terpinolene (Esoteric Oils 2015). The oil is extracted
from the seeds of the plant and is claimed to have many uses
including to refresh and to uplift the mind, to help with mental
fatigue, migraine, tension and nervous weakness, has a warming
effect on the stomach and relieve gas and cramps while revitalizing
the glandular system, is helpful for alleviating rheumatism and
arthritis pain, as well as muscle spasms and is useful with colds
and flu. It also acts as a general cleanser of the body, to rid it
of toxins and fluid wastes (Esoteric Oils 2015). The essential oils
from leaves and fruits of Coriandrum sativum were analyzed
by gas chromatography and found to contain 44 compounds mostly of
aromatic acids containing 2-decenoic acid (30.8%),
E-11-tetradecenoic acid (13.4%), capric acid (12.7%), undecyl
alcohol (6.4%), tridecanoic acid (5.5%) and undecanoic acid (7.1%)
as major constituents. The seed oil was found to contain 53
compounds where the major compounds are linalool (37.7%), geranyl
acetate (17.6%) and γ-terpinene(14.4%) (Bhuiyan et al. 2009).
Much research has been conducted to test the medical effectiveness
of coriander. Some studies have shown that coriander can help
prevent dental caries via anti-bacterial activity when the coriander
essential oils were incorporated into a mouthwash (Freires et al.
2015). Clinical trials showed the coriander oil has good
anti-bacterial activity towards Streptococcus pyogenes and
methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (Casetti
et al. 2012). These clinical trials tested the tolerance of a cream
and lotion containing the essential oil of coriander. No skin
irritation was observed. Thus, essential coriander oil might be a
useful antiseptic for the prevention and treatment of skin
infections with Gram-positive bacteria.
Some in vitro and in vivo studies have found that
coriander has the potential to prevent skin photo-aging (Hwang et
al. 2014). Additional in vitro and in vivo studies
show that coriander fruit exhibits gut stimulatory, inhibitory, and
hypotensive effects, as well as diuretic activity (Jabeen et al.
2009).
One in vivo study showed that coriander reduced
hyperglycemia in mice with diabetes when incorporated into the diet
and drinking water. Also an aqueous extract of coriander increased
2-deoxyglucose transport, glucose oxidation, and incorporation of
glucose into glycogen of isolated murine abdominal muscle comparable
with m-insulin (Gray & Flatt 1999). Tests with aqueous extract
of coriander evoked a stimulation of insulin secretion from a clonal
B-cell line (Gray & Flatt 1999). The activity of the extract was
heat stable, acetone soluble, and unaltered by acid or dialysis.
Reduced activity was seen with exposure to alkali. Insulin-releasing
activity was seen in hexane and in water. These results show that
coriander has antihyperglycaemic, insulin-releasing, and
insulin-like activity (Gray & Flatt 1999). A rat model also
showed that an aqueous extract from the leaves and stems of
coriander showed significant antihyperglycaemic activity. The
in vitro experiments with alpha-glucosidase revealed a
competitive-type inhibition of the α-glucosidase in the
gastrointestinal tract. Both of these results confirm anti-diabetic
properties of coriander extract (Brindis et al. 2014).
A study using rats showed that treatment with hydroalcoholic seed
extract of coriander resulted in a tissue-specific amelioration of
oxidative stress produced by lead (Velaga et al. 2014).
Coriander does not have many adverse side effects when taken. A few
include allergic reactions, sensitivity to sun light, stomach pain,
diarrhea, and skin darkening (WebMD 2009). One should be cautious if
using coriander while breast-feeding and while pregnant. Also those
allergic to mugwort, aniseed, caraway, fennel, dill, or similar
plants may be allergic to coriander (WebMD 2009).
Many studies have been done on coriander to test coriander's
medicinal uses. All of the tests and trials have shown coriander to
be effective in treating certain conditions such as diabetes
(Brindis et al. 2014 and Gray & Flatt 1999). Use of coriander is
not accompanied by too many side effects, but caution should always
be taken. More scientific evidence is needed to more precisely
determine coriander’s level of safety and to determine correct
dosing (WebMD 2009).
LITERATURE CITED
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This paper was developed as part of the BIO 368 - Medical Botany
course offered at Wilkes University during the summer of 2015.
Course instructor was Kenneth M. Klemow, Ph.D. (kenneth.klemow@wilkes.edu).
The
information contained herein is based on published sources, and is
made available for academic purposes only. No warrantees, expressed
or implied, are made about the medical usefulness or dangers
associated with the plant species in question.