Anise Research Articles

The use of complementary and alternative medicine among surgical patients: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has increased substantially around the world; various global studies have documented the use of CAM by surgical patients in the preoperative period, with rates of herbal medications and other nonherbal treatments ranging from 12 to 69%. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of CAM and its patterns of use among surgical patients.MethodsFrom December 2020 to April 2021, a descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken in Palestine. A face‒to-face interview questionnaire was used. The participants were asked questions regarding sociodemographics, clinical information, CAM usage, reasons for its use, and opinions on its efficacy.ResultsAmong the 300 surgical patients who were interviewed in this study, 252 (84.0%) reported that they had ever used CAM, while a total of 122 (48.4%) had used CAM before their surgery, 81.7% of the respondents used herbal methods, and 64.7% of them used nonherbal methods. CAM use among our study population was not linked to specific demographics or other characteristics, except health insurance (p = 0.004). The most commonly used herbs among surgical patients are Salvia officinalis L. (Sage) (84.1%) and Pimpinella anisum L. (Anise) (75.5%). The highest percentage was found among patients with university qualifications (73.2%), who used more than three methods (p < 0.001). In addition, 59.4% of the females used more than three therapies, whereas 45.9% of the males did (p = 0.032).ConclusionsThe herbal methods used are common among surgical patients in Palestine and are consistent with the enormous increase in the use of CAM. Therefore, awareness should be raised among the public regarding the risks and benefits of CAM use.

Green recovery of nuciferine from lotus leaf via star anise oil based two-phase solvent extraction integrated with back-extraction

In this study, we present a novel green bio-based solvent, star anise oil (SAO), which was employed to develop a two-phase solvent system incorporating both alkaline and acidic solutions for the simultaneous extraction and purification of nuciferine from waste lotus leaf. This integrative approach effectively combines two-phase solvent extraction (TPSE) with back-extraction (BE), resulting in a more streamlined extraction process that requires only vortexing (or stirring) and centrifugation, thus simplifying the overall procedure. It is important to note that this method uses very little solvent (only 2.5 times the volume of SAO relative to the weight of the lotus leaf) and takes just 4 min per extraction. After three such extractions, the recovery rate of nuciferine can reach as high as 96.9%. Unlike volatile solvents such as petroleum ether and ethyl acetate, SAO's high boiling point negates the necessity for nitrogen protection during centrifugation, thereby addressing the Pickering emulsification issues caused by particles. Only two back-extraction operations are needed to recover 96.9% of nunciferine from the TPSE extract, resulting in a nunciferine content of 45.4%. Furthermore, approximately 90% of the SAO can be directly reused for at least five cycles without additional purification. Additionally, 85.0% of the SAO remaining in the TPSE waste can be recovered through hydrodistillation (HD) within 30 min. The excellent performance in biomass and extraction solvent selection, solvent repurposing, and other factors contributed to a Path2Green score of 0.28 for this method, highlighting its suitability for the green recovery of nuciferine from lotus leaf.

Exploring the Effects of a Calming Herbal Tea Blend on Perioperative Anxiety: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

This research aimed to explore the effectiveness of consuming a calming herbal tea blend, comprising Matricaria recutita, Passiflora incarnata L., and Pimpinella anisum L., in comparison to a placebo tea infused with lemon, to ascertain whether the herbal blend possesses anxiety-reducing properties capable of alleviating perioperative anxiety. The study adopted a clinical randomized, double-blind design and collected data from volunteers undergoing elective surgery at Hospital Unimed Erechim in the northern region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A total of 210 participants were enrolled and randomly allocated into two groups: one receiving the placebo tea and the other the sedative herbal tea. All participants completed a questionnaire postoperatively to assess anxiety levels, employing the adapted Portuguese version of the DASS-21 Scale (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale). Results revealed no significant difference in anxiety levels between the group consuming the calming herbal tea and the group consuming the placebo tea. However, consumption of the anxiolytic herbal tea was associated with a notable increase in positive sentiments toward the surgical procedure (P = .0009). Furthermore, the study demonstrated that the DASS-21 questionnaire exhibited a preoperative profile comparable to the clinical scenarios depicted by the scale. Both the calming herbal tea and the placebo tea were found to effectively mitigate perioperative anxiety. This suggests that both options-soothing herbal tea and placebo tea-can be considered safe, efficacious, and pleasant methods for reducing preoperative fasting requirements.

Investigating Pregnant Women's Attitudes toward Herbal Remedies: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Herbal remedies play a significant role in daily life, regardless of region or ethnicity. While they offer various health benefits, they may also pose risks, including toxicity and undesirable side effects. Pregnant women, one of the most vulnerable populations, frequently use herbal remedies, often without informing their healthcare providers, which can lead to unforeseen consequences for both the mother and the fetus. A total of 590 women participated in an online survey designed to assess demographic factors, awareness of herbal remedies during pregnancy, and the potential impact of these remedies on maternal and fetal health. The survey revealed that 35.8% of the participants used herbal remedies during pregnancy. The most common reasons for their use were beliefs in their safety and family recommendations. Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) was the most frequently used herb. The findings indicate that pregnant women generally have limited knowledge about herbal remedies and their potential risks. To mitigate this, it is essential to develop and disseminate comprehensive safety and efficacy guidelines. Both physicians and pregnant women should be well-informed to ensure the protection of maternal and fetal health.

Anise essential oil immobilized in chitosan microparticles: a novel bactericidal material for food protection.

Foodborne infections in humans are one of the major concerns of the food industries, especially for minimally processed foods (MPF). Thereby, the packaging industry applies free chlorine in the sanitization process, ensuring the elimination of any fecal coliforms or pathogenic microorganisms. However, free chlorine's propensity to react with organic matter, forming toxic compounds such as trihalomethanes and haloacetic acid. Therefore, the present work aimed to synthesize a novel organic biomaterial as an alternative to free chlorine. Chitosan microparticles were produced, with Pimpinella anisum (anise) essential oil immobilized in the biopolymer matrix (MPsQTO). The characterization of this biomaterial was done through GC-MS/MS, FT-IR, and SEM. Antimicrobial assays proved that the MPsQTO presented antibacterial activity for Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus subtilis at 300 µL mL-1 of concentration. The fluorescence microscope also showed the MPsQTO targets the cytoplasmatic membrane, which is responsible for cell death in the first minutes of contact. Studies with the mutant B. subtilis (amy::pspac-ftsZ-gfpmut1) and the Saccharomyces cerevisiae D7 also proved that the biomaterial did not affect the genetic material and did not have any mutagenic/carcinogenic effect on the cells. The sanitization assays with pumpkin MPF proved that the MPsQTO is more effective than free chlorine, increasing the shelf-life of the MPF. Consequently, the novel biomaterial proposed in this work is a promising alternative to traditional chemical sanitizers.

Potential Use and Chemical Analysis of Some Natural Plant Extracts for Controlling Listeria spp. Growth In Vitro and in Food.

Listeria are Gram-negative intracellular foodborne pathogens that can cause invasive infections with high mortality rates. In this work, the antibacterial activity of ten essential oils, infusion extracts, and decoction extracts of some medicinal plants was tested against Listeria monocytogenes and listeria ivanovii strains. The effects of different physical conditions including temperature, pH, sodium chloride, and some organic acids were studied. The results showed that the water extracts gave the maximum bacterial inhibition, while ethanolic extract was inactive against the tested Listeria spp. The antibiotic sensitivity of L. monocytogenes LMG10470 and L. ivanovii LMZ11352 was tested against five antibiotics including imipenem, levofloxacin, amikacin, ampicillin, and amoxicillin. Imipenem was the most effective antibiotic, resulting in inhibition zones of 40 mm and 31 mm for L. monocytogenes and L. ivanovii, respectively. When imipenem mixed with Syzygium aromaticum oil, Salvia officinalis oil, Pimpinella anisum infusion, and Mentha piperita infusion each, the water extract of Moringa oleifera leaves and seeds against LMG10470 and LMZ11352 resulted in broader antibacterial activity. The antimicrobial activity of both Pimpinella anisum and Mentha piperita plant extracts is related to a variety of bioactive compounds indicated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of these two plant extracts. These two plant extracts seemed to contain many chemical compounds elucidated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and infrared radiation spectra. These compounds could be classified into different chemical groups such as ethers, heterocyclic compounds, aromatic aldehydes, condensed heterocyclic compounds, ketones, alicyclic compounds, aromatics, esters, herbicides, saturated fatty acids, and unsaturated fatty acids. The use of these natural compounds seems to be a useful technological adjuvant for the control of Listeria spp. in foods.

Eco-friendly corrosion inhibition and scale control in seawater using Foeniculum vulgare and Pimpinella anisum extracts with chemical compounds

This study investigated the corrosion inhibition and scale control properties of both natural extracts and chemical inhibitors for C25 galvanized steel sheets with an 85-μm thick zinc coating steel exposed to seawater. The inhibitors, including Foeniculum vulgare (AF-Sha), Pimpinella anisum (AF-Sim), M640, and Veo, underwent rigorous evaluation through techniques such as Tafel extrapolation, potentiodynamic polarization analysis, concentration factor scale, seawater analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and conductivity-temperature analysis. Notably, AF-Sha and AF-Sim exhibited outstanding corrosion prevention capabilities, achieving inhibitory efficiencies of 87% and 85%, respectively. Comparative analyses with chemical inhibitors, M640 and Veo, demonstrated promising performance, positioning natural inhibitors as environmentally friendly alternatives. Corrosion rates, inhibition efficiency, and concentration factor scale results provided insights into the inhibitory effectiveness of each compound, with Veo showing superior performance. The study also explored the antiscalant behavior of inhibitors, revealing their ability to prevent corrosion and scale formation. XRD analysis indicated the impact of inhibitors on the crystal structure of scales, while IR spectra provided insights into vibration properties. Conductivity and temperature analyses illustrated the inhibitors' role in reducing ion exchange and gypsum concentration in seawater. These findings suggest that the inhibitors offered robust protection for ferrous metal surfaces and hold significant potential for practical applications. Additionally, our weight loss investigation extends this understanding, demonstrating the practical applicability of corrosion inhibitors like AF-Sha and AF-Sim in real-world scenarios. The presented results contribute significantly to the understanding of galvanized steel corrosion behavior in seawater, offering valuable insights for corrosion engineering applications.

Characterisation and biological activities of synthesised copper oxide nanoparticles from the Pimpinella anisum L. aqueous extract

AbstractNanoparticles can be synthesised by several methods. Due to the long duration, high cost, and toxic by-products of chemical and physical methods, the biological method has become more preferred. Among various sources such as bacteria, fungi, or yeast, the use of plants in biological synthesis has proven to be the most ideal. Many metals can be used in the biological method, including copper oxide (CuO). In this study, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) were synthesised using Pimpinella anisum L. aqueous extract. For characterisation of the CuONPs, UV–Visible Spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersion Spectroscopy (EDS), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) analyses were performed. The biological activity of the P. anisum extract and CuONPs was determined using DNA cleavage (agarose gel electrophoresis), antioxidant (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity), mutagenic (Ames/Salmonella test), and catalytic (methylene blue degradation) activities. In DNA cleavage activity test, CuONPs completely denatured DNA at high concentrations (100 and 200 μg mL−1) due to their oxidative activity. The results showed that both the extract and CuONPs have antioxidant properties in DPPH and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities. According to the mutagenicity, CuONPs did not have a mutagenic effect. In catalytic activity, CuONPs degraded methylene blue within 240 min by 99.45%.

The Antimicrobial and Sensory Characteristics of Dairy- and Non-Dairy-Based Foods Supplemented with Anise Oil

The Antimicrobial and Sensory Characteristics of Dairy- and Non-Dairy-Based Foods Supplemented with Anise Oil

Multicomponent double Povarov reaction for julolidine: Synthesis and mechanistic insights

Julolidines constitute a class of N-heterocyclic molecules that behave as molecular rotors. Due to their fluorescent properties, they are applied in a wide range of technological fields, such as the production of solar cells, fluorescent biomarkers or bioimaging, and photoconductive materials. In the present work, we developed a methodology for the synthesis of julolidines through the one-pot tandem reaction-based application of multicomponent double Povarov reaction (MCPR) using BF3.OEt2 as the catalyst (25 mol%), star anise oil rich in trans-anethole as the substrate, and water as the solvent in reactions at room temperature. The julolidines were obtained with total yields ranging from 55 to 95 %. A mechanistic study allowed for the conclusion that these MCPRs take place through an ionic mechanism and also that released protons by the reaction between BF3.Et2O and water are involved in the catalytic process. After extracting the products from the reaction medium, the remaining aqueous phase containing the catalyst can be reused for up to six catalytic cycles with a minimal loss of catalytic efficiency. DFT calculations were conducted to investigate the catalytic cycle using BF3.Et2O and ZnCl2 as catalysts. The results indicate that the formation of iminium ions is a prerequisite for the progress of the reaction (MCPR). When BF3.Et2O and water are involved, the reaction proceeds via Brønsted catalysis, and the formation of iminium ions occurs in an exothermic and spontaneous process. However, when the ZnCl2 is used, the process is Lewis catalyzed to form the first iminium ion and is endergonic, shifting the equilibrium towards the reactants and inhibiting the cyclization.

Investigating the Endophyte Actinomycetota sp. JW0824 Strain as a Potential Bioinoculant to Enhance the Yield, Nutritive Value, and Chemical Composition of Different Cultivars of Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) Seeds.

Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) seeds have various nutritional and therapeutic benefits and are thus considered a valuable addition to animal and human health. Hence, in this study, we aimed to induce the nutritive and biological value of anise seeds. To this end, the potential biofortification effect of the endophytic Actinomycetota sp. JW0824 strain, isolated during the fall of 2023 from the medicinal plant Achyranthes aspera, exhibiting natural distribution in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia, was investigated in four varieties of anise seeds from Egypt, Tunisia, Syria, and Morocco. Results revealed significant increments (p < 0.05) in the seed dry weight percentage (DW%) and oil yields. In line with increased biomass accumulation, the metabolism of the primary and secondary metabolites was increased. There were differential increases in proteins, sugars, flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, vitamins (e.g., β-carotene, ascorbic acid), and essential oil components (e.g., phenylpropanoids and monoterpenes), along with their precursor phenylalanine. Consistently, the activity of L-phenylalanine aminolyase (PAL) was increased in the Egyptian and Tunisian varieties at 83.88% and 77.19%, respectively, while 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate synthase (DAHPS) activity increased in all varieties, with a significant 179.31% rise in the Egyptian variety. These findings highlight the beneficial effects of Actinomycetota sp. JW0824 as a bioinoculant for anise seeds, suggesting its potential application in agricultural practices to improve seed yield and quality. Further field trials are recommended to assess the commercial viability of this endophyte for enhancing anise seed production and potentially benefiting other plant species.

ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF PIMPINELLA - AN OVERVIEW

Pimpinella species, belonging to Apiaceae (Lindl.) family, utilized in many fields of industry as spice, fruit, vegetable and beverage have especially been used in traditional medicine as a remedy in various countries. Essential oils (EO) of various species including Pimpinella cypria, Pimpinella kotshchyana, Pimpinella saxifraga, and Pimpinella anisum were reported to have antibacterial and antifungal activities. Furthermore, it was observed that P. anisum EO possessed antiviral properties. Along with its antimicrobial activity, Pimpinella species were found to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, antispasmodic, estrogenic, cytotoxic, insecticidal, and repellent properties. This review aims to provide an enhanced understanding on some Pimpinella species’ morphology, chemical constituent, industrial and medicinal usage, and antimicrobial activities against bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

The Effect of Ten Plant Powders on Lesser Grain Borer, Rhizopertha dominica During Different Storage Periods

AbstractA study examined three concentrations (2.0, 4.0, and 6.0g plant powder/10g wheat grain) of ten plant powders Anise, Pimpinella anisum, Black pepper, Piper nigrum, Ginger, Zingiber officinale, lamb’s ear, Stachys byzantine and Red pepper, Capsicum annuum. Coriander, Coriandrum sativum Fenugreek, Trigonella foenum, Cumin, Cuminum cyminum. Cinnamon, Cinnamomum cassi and Turmeric, Curcuma longa on the lesser. Grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica, larvae and adults, the percentage of wheat grain weight losses during 1,2, and 3 storage months. The results of the study showed that the highest rate of larvae was 35.25 larvae for fenugreek plant, while the number of larvae limited to 3.80 larvae, for black pepper after one month of storage. Thus, the results also showed that the highest rate of Lesser grain borer adult number is 45.25 adults, was recorded for Fenugreek plant after 3 months of storage, while the lowest rate of adult number is 4.75 adults, was recorded for black pepper plant after one month of storage. Thus, the results also indicated that the concentrations of powders have a large and clear effect on the insect. The highest rate of larvae number is 18.46 larvae at 2.0 g/100 gm concentration, while the lowest rate of larvae is 3.60 larvae was recorded for a concentration of 6.0 g/100 gm seeds. The results also showed that the highest rate of the insect adult number is, 29.23 adults was recorded for a concentration of 2 g/10g grains, after 3 storage months, while the lowest rate of adult is 4.63 adults recorded for a concentration of 6.0 gm/10 gm seeds. The results also showed that the highest rate of grain losses is 5.59 grams, recorded for Coriander plant after 3 months of storage, while the lowest rate of grain weight losses, 0.69 g, was recorded for black pepper powder after 1 month of storage.

The Effect of Adding Different Levels of Anise Seeds and Oil Pimpinella anisum L. on some Production of Lohman Chicken Eggs

The Effect of Adding Different Levels of Anise Seeds and Oil Pimpinella anisum L. on some Production of Lohman Chicken Eggs

Effect of Using Ground Anise Seeds with Ground Pomegranate Peels on some Productive and Physiological Traits After Parturition of Local Female Goats

Effect of Using Ground Anise Seeds with Ground Pomegranate Peels on some Productive and Physiological Traits After Parturition of Local Female Goats

Evaluation of Some Medicinal Plant Crude Extracts (Aqueous, Ethanol, and Acetone) Against Several Pathogenic Bacteria

Abstract Background: The Terminalia chebula fruit extract possesses various biological properties such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and protoparasite. Objective: This study aimed to detect the active compounds in the aqueous, ethyl alcoholic, and acetone extracts of the seeds of Terminalia chebula, Pimpinella anisum, and Artemisia herba-alba against the bacterial species that will be isolated from bacterial skin infections. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 pathological isolates were isolated from patients with bacterial skin infections; aqueous, alcoholic, and acetone extracts were prepared; the efficiency of these plant extracts against bacterial species was evaluated; and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined. Results: A total of 100 bacterial isolates were obtained out of 120 samples, which included 42 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and 33 isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae and 25 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The alcoholic extract of the seeds of the Terminalia chebula plant was the best plant extract in inhibiting the isolated bacterial species. Conclusions: The Iraqi environment is rich in medicinal plants such as Terminalia chebula, Pimpinella anisum, and Artemisia herba-alba. Conclusion: It was also found that the alcoholic extracts of the seeds of the Terminalia chebula showed an inhibitory effect on the growth of bacteria species under study, and all studied plants contain most of the active compounds.

Do Climate Conditions Affect the Quality of the Apiaceae Fruits’ Essential Oils?

This study investigated the impact of climate conditions on the quality of essential oils extracted from Apiaceae fruits, specifically coriander (Coriandrum sativum var. microcarpum), aniseed (Pimpinella anisum), and annual caraway (Carum carvi var. annuum) grown at three distinct locations in Serbia over three consecutive years. Field experiments were conducted, and essential oils were extracted using a Clevenger-type apparatus followed by gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric analysis for compound identification. Weather conditions during the vegetation periods were recorded, and statistical analyses, including principal component analysis (PCA) and correlation analysis, were performed to assess the volatile compound compositions. Results indicate significant correlations among various compounds within each fruit type, with distinct patterns observed across different years. PCA further elucidates the influence of both year and sampling location on the chemical profiles of essential oils. Cluster analysis reveals clustering primarily based on the year of cultivation rather than geographical location, emphasizing the dominant role of weather conditions in shaping essential oil compositions. This study highlights the intricate relationship between climate conditions and the quality of essential oils in Apiaceae fruits, providing valuable insights for optimizing cultivation practices and enhancing essential oil production. In general, climate conditions strongly influence the coriander, anise, and annual caraway cultivation, and also essential oil quality.

Green nanotechnology for targeted drug delivery: UPLC-ESI-MS/MS, In vitro/ In silico Cytotoxic and Antibacterial Activity of Pimpinella anisum L. and Its Silver Nanoparticles

Silver nanoparticle investigations and product development assist in targeted drug delivery. The aqueous extract (PAFA) of Pimpinella anisum L. fruits was prepared, and its constituents were identified using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using PAFA via microwave irradiation. The prepared AgNPs were characterized using UV‒visible spectroscopy, TEM, FTIR, EDX, and XRD. The PAFA and AgNPs were investigated for their cytotoxicity against 5 different cell lines: Colo-205, HepG-2, H-460, MCF-7, and OEC. In addition, the antibacterial effects of AgNPs and their prepared topical creams were assessed. Thirteen compounds were tentatively identified, in addition to the successful green synthesis and characterization of the dose-dependent and selective AgNPs possessing effective cytotoxicity against Colo-205. AgNPs and their topical creams showed potent antibacterial effects on a broad spectrum of organisms. Molecular docking analysis of the identified phytochemicals revealed that they are involved in a variety of cancers, including lung, breast, head, neck, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer. The best binding pose of the promising kaempferol-3-O-methyl ether inside the active site of EGFR is shown by 2D and 3D representations of the amino acid interactions inside the binding pocket. These results confirm that the prepared AgNPs of PAFA are promising for application as efficient cytotoxic agents against Colo-205 and as topical antimicrobial agents.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Pimpinella anisum L. seed extract: synthesis, characterization, and anti-Alzheimer’s activity

Various methods have been used to treat Alzheimer’s disease, but recently, the use of medicinal plants and the combination of their extracts and active substances with nanoparticles have been considered. Determination of anti-Alzheimer properties of silver nanoparticles synthesized by the Pimpinella anisum seed extract may be the novelty of this research. Nanoparticles were confirmed by UV–Vis, FTIR, SEM, EDAX, TEM, DLS, and XRD analysis. The antioxidant effects were determined by DPPH and ABTS and the inhibitory effects on the production of amyloid nanofibrils were determined by Congored assay. Nanoparticles were spherical with a diameter ranging from 40 to 60 nm. The highest antioxidant effect was observed at 500 and the highest inhibition of amyloid production was observed at 100 μg/mL of nanoparticles. Anise-AgNPs with antioxidant and inhibitory properties for amyloid production could be introduced as a suitable candidate for reducing the side effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

Role of TRPA1 in the pharmacological effect triggered by the topical application of trans-anethole in mice.

This study investigated the pharmacological effects of topical trans-anethole, a natural compound found in anise, star anise, and fennel essential oils, and its relationship with the transient receptor potential of ankyrin 1 (TRPA1). The effects of topical anethole were assessed by eye wiping, nociceptive behaviour, and ear oedema in mice. Histological evaluations were performed on the ears of the animals topically treated with anethole. Anethole caused less eye irritation than capsaicin (a TRPV1 agonist) and allyl isothiocyanate (a TRPA1 agonist). Anethole (250 and 500 nmol/20 µL/paw) promoted neurogenic nociception in the paw (20.89 ± 3.53s and 47.56 ± 8.46s, respectively) compared with the vehicle (0.88 ± 0.38s). HC030031 (56.1 nmol/20 µL/paw), a TRPA1 antagonist, abolished this nociceptive response. Anethole (4, 10, and 20 µmol/20 µL/ear) induced ear oedema (30.25 ± 4.78μm, 78.00 ± 3.74μm, and 127.50 ± 27.19μm, respectively) compared with the vehicle (5.00 ± 0.5μm). HC030031 (56.1 nmol/20 µL/ear) inhibited the oedema induced by anethole (10 µmol/20 µL/ear). Ears pre-treated with anethole or allyl isothiocyanate on the first day and re-exposed to these compounds on the third day showed a reduction in oedema (68.16 ± 6.04% and 38.81 ± 8.98.9%, respectively). Cross-desensitisation between anethole and allyl isothiocyanate was observed. Histological analysis confirmed the beneficial effects of anethol. As repeated topical applications of anethole induce the desensitisation of TRPA1, we suggest its clinical application as a topical formulation for treating skin diseases or managing pain associated with this receptor. Anethole may also have advantages over capsaicin and allyl isothiocyanate because of its low pungency and pleasant aroma.