Toothpick-plant
Ammi visnaga
Ammi visnaga is a traditional plant used in various folk medicine practices, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa. It has been traditionally utilized for its purported diuretic and expectorant properties, though specific uses vary widely among different cultures and are not well-documented. Scientific evidence suggests that coumarins found in Ammi visnaga, such as khellin, khellol, and visnagin, may have potential as squalene epoxidase inhibitors with low-micromolar IC50 values, indicating possible anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, studies show that the plant's methanolic extracts can improve pigmentation in mice by stimulating melanogenesis through the cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway and effectively alleviating hyperthyroidism parameters in rats at both low and high doses. Ammi visnaga is also part of essential oil mixtures with diverse biological activities, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. Safety profiles indicate no major issues have been recorded, and there are currently no reported drug interactions associated with its use.
- Best evidence
- D
- Cautions
- —
Informational only. Traditional use does not mean proven effectiveness. Evidence and safety vary — check the cited sources.
What the science says
- Ammi visnaga coumarins, including khellin, khellol, and visnagin, show potential as squalene epoxidase inhibitors with low-micromolar IC50 values.
- Visnagin stimulates melanogenesis by enhancing cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway activity in vitro and improves pigmentation in mice.
- Ammi visnaga was part of essential oil mixtures showing varying biological activities including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects.
- Both Ammi visnaga and Ammi majus methanolic extracts at low and high doses effectively alleviated L-thyroxine-induced hyperthyroidism parameters in rats.
Frequently asked questions
What is Toothpick-plant?
Toothpick-plant (Ammi visnaga) is a plant documented in FolkKB's traditional-medicine reference, drawn from sourced literature and cross-checked against the evidence.
What does the scientific evidence say about Toothpick-plant?
4 sourced findings are recorded for Toothpick-plant; the strongest carries evidence grade D. For example: Ammi visnaga coumarins, including khellin, khellol, and visnagin, show potential as squalene epoxidase inhibitors with low-micromolar IC50 values.
How strong is the evidence for Toothpick-plant?
The strongest finding for Toothpick-plant carries evidence grade D — preliminary or traditional. Grades run A (strongest) to D (preliminary or traditional).
Is Toothpick-plant safe? What are the side effects?
No major safety issues are recorded for Toothpick-plant in our sources, but the data may be incomplete. Consult a qualified professional before use.
Does Toothpick-plant interact with medications?
No drug interactions are recorded for Toothpick-plant in our sources. This does not rule them out — check with a pharmacist.
What are the common names of Toothpick-plant?
Toothpick-plant is also known as: Амми зубная, Ammi eleve.
Is Toothpick-plant a proven treatment?
No. FolkKB is informational only. Traditional use and early findings are not proof of efficacy or safety — consult a qualified professional and never self-treat.
Sources
- T2 Repurposing Ammi visnaga Furanocoumarins as Potent Squalene Epoxidase Inhibitors to Disrupt Lipid Metabolism: An Integrated Phytochemical, In Vitro, and In Silico Study. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Chemical Composition, Biological Activity, and In VivoToxicity of Essential Oils Extracted from Mixtures of Plants and Spices. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Ammi visnaga (Visnaga daucoides) & Ammi majus as a novel thyrotherapeutic phytoalternative for rat with L-thyroxine-induced hyperthyroidism. literature abstract metadata
- T2 A furanochromone derivative, visnagin stimulates melanogenesis via the activation of cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway. literature abstract metadata