Three terpenoids Germacrene, Patchoulol or patchouli alcohol, Norpatchoulenol found in patchouli oil are responsible for the typical patchouli scent. TLC and HPLC were used to identify the possible chemical markers for evaluating the quality of the crude drug "Pogostemoni herba" (aerial part of P. cablin), a component of Kampo medicines. In addition to the reported patchouli alcohol and 2-hydroxy-6-methyl-3-(4-methylpentanoyl)-4-pyrone, three phenylethanoids (acteoside, isoacteoside, and crenatoside) were isolated from this plant material for the first time.
Antimicrobial Activity
Patchouli alcohol, a major component in patchouli oil, and the extract showed higher antibacterial activity than the mixture of β-sitosterol and stigmasterol and 7,3′,4-tri-O-methyleriodictyol.54 The essential oil of P. cablin showed antibacterial activity against periodontopathic bacteria, including Actinobacillus, Capnocytophaga, Fusobacterium, Eikenella.
Antiviral activity
The anti-influenza A (H2N2) virus activity of patchouli alcohol was studied in vitro, in vivo and in silico. The CC (50) of patchouli alcohol was above 20 μM. It could inhibit influenza virus with an IC (50) of 4.03 ± 0.23 μM.
Other Activities
Patchouli oil main constituent, patchouli alcohol was found to be toxic and repellent against Formosan subterranean termites.
Patchouli oil is produced by steam distillation of the dried leaves of Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. (Lamiaceae). It is a reddish-brown to greenish-brown, more or less viscous liquid with a characteristic, slightly camphoraceous, woody balsamic odor.
d2020 0.952–0.975; n20D 1.5050–1.5150; α20D ?60 ° to ?40 °; solubility: 1 vol in not more than 10 vol of 90% ethanol at 20 °C; acid number:max. 4; ester number:max. 10.
The patchouli shrub is cultivated primarily in Indonesia. It grows to 1m, but during harvesting, it is cut back to 10–15 cm. The oil yield from preferably sundried leaves is about 2%.
Although the sesquiterpene alcohol (?)-patchoulol is the main component of patchouli oil (27–35%), this compound contributes less to the characteristic odor of the oil than (+)-norpatchoulenol present only at a concentration of 0.35–1%. Other typical constituents are (+)-α-bulnesene (13–21%), (?)-α-guaiene (11–16%), (?)-β-patchoulene (1.8–3.5%), and (?)-seychellene(1–3%).
The oil is obtained by steam distillation of properly dried leaves in approximately 1.5 to 3.0% yields. The oil has a
typical camphoraceous odor and woody undernote imparted sometimes by adulteration of the oil with gurjum balsam. The classic
patchouly odor is recognizable in the high-quality oil manufactured in the Malaysian state of Johore and marketed under the name
of Paxamo Special Singapore.
Independent of its origin, the essential oil is a slightly viscous, brown liquid.
The botanical properties of patchouli oil (Pogostemon patchouli)(patchouly) are described as astringent, anti-inflammatory, decongestive, and tonic. It can be stimulant in low doses, and sedative at high doses. Its botanical attributes make it useful for acne, aged and chapped skin, and skin redness. In Asia, it was a renowned antidote against insect and snake bites. Also used as a perfume in soaps and cosmetics to impart a long-lasting aroma. This oil has a strong, sweet, musty, and very persistent fragrance. The patchouli leaves are dried and fermented prior to distilla tion. It may produce an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals.
Extractives and their physically modified derivatives. Pogostemon cablin (Pogostemon patchouli), Labiatae.
Essential oil composition
The main known constituents include benzaldehyde, eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, patchouly alcohol (a tricyclic
alcohol, C15H260), two hydrocarbons (C15H24), and other minor unidentified components (Burdock, 1997).
Low toxicity by ingestion and skin contact. A skin irritant. A combustible liquid. When heated to decompositionit emits acrid smoke and irritating vapors.
