Uses
(+)-Borneol has been used to study its antiapoptotic, antioxidative and neuroprotective effect in human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y).
Definition
ChEBI: (+)-borneol is a borneol. It is an enantiomer of a (-)-borneol.
General Description
(+)-Borneol, a bicyclic monoterpene, is found in the essential oils of medicinal plants and is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine for analgesia and anaesthesia.
Anticancer Research
Wild asparagus root is known as “tian men dong” in traditional Chinese medicine. Itis used to relieve asthma, suppress coughing, and promote expectoration (Huang1998). It is held to be sweet and bitter in flavour and cold in nature, nourishing thelungs and moistening dryness (McNamara and Song 1995). Though studies conductedon asparagus root to examine its biological effects have only been conductedon animals, the evidence so far shows anticancer activity against leukaemia and lungcancer by means of the inhibition of tumour necrosis factor alpha (Huang et al. 2008).
Purification Methods
It can be steam distilled, the distillate is extracted into Et2O, the extract dried with Drierite and evaporated. The residue is then recrystallised from boiling EtOH (charcoal) or pet ether. [Clark & Read J Chem Soc 1773 1934, Beilstein 6 III 295, 6 IV 281.]