b-bisabolene,b-farnesene,a-copaene, ()-
and trans-a-bergamotene, caryophyllene,
nerolidol, methylanisoate, trans-methyli-
soeugenol, cadinene, foeniculin, 3-carene,
d-a-pinene, phellandrene,a-terpineol, hydro-
quinine, traces ofcis-anethole, and safrole
(KARRER),16–19although the presence of saf-
role is disputed.17,18
PHARMACOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL
ACTIVITIES
Oil of anise and Chinese star anise has
carminative and expectorant properties.^20
Water and ethanol extracts of the fruits
(seeds) of anise have shown greaterin vitro
antioxidant activity than some common anti-
oxidants (a-tocopherol, BHA, and BHT).^21 In
vitroestrogenic activity was found from the
essential oil of anise in human breast cancer
cells (MCF-7 cells).^22 A relaxant effect of
the essential oil on isolated, precontracted
guinea pig tracheal chains suggests bronch-
odilatory activity and was due to inhibition
of muscarinic receptors.^23 An antidiuretic
effect was found in rats administered the
essential oil (0.05%) in drinking water and
was attributed to an increase in Naþ–Kþ
ATPase activity.^24 A randomized controlled
trial of a preparation containing anise oil and
ylang ylang oil found that topical application
was equally effective in the treatment of head
lice in children as a spray composed of
various insecticides.^25
Anethole, anisaldehyde, and myristicin (in
aniseed), along withd-carvone (present inP.
anisumplant), have shown mild insecticidal
properties.^26 In houseflies, the major (56% by
weight) active insecticide in the oil from anise
tops was shown to betrans-anethole. Anisal-
dehyde and anethole increased the toxicity to
houseflies when applied at the same as various
common insecticides.^27 Anethole also inhibits
growth of mycotoxin-producingAspergillus
species in culture.^28
Anethole was formerly considered an ac-
tive estrogenic agent of the essential oil of
anise. However, further research suggests
that the active estrogenic compounds are
polymers of anethole, such as dianethole and
photoanethole.^29
A methanol extract of the fruits of Chi-
nese star anise (Illicium verum) showed
in vitro growth-inhibitory activity against
the periodontopathic bacteria,Eikenella cor-
rodens,^30 and against the fungusSaccharo-
myces cerevisiae.^31 In vitro antimicrobial
and antifungal activities of Chinese star
anise are largely attributed to the presence
of anethole.^32TOXICOLOGYA double-blind, placebo-controlled allerge-
nicity study using aniseed in spice industry
workers found positive results in skin prick,
and nasal and oral challenge tests.^33 Other
case reports of occupational allergic reactions
to anise include a psoriasis-like allergic con-
tact dermatitis from exposure to the seed oil^34
and allergic asthma from exposure to the seed
dust.^35
Anethole, the major component of the oil
of both anise and star anise, has been re-
ported as the cause of dermatitis (erythema,
scaling, and vesiculation) in some people.^36
Anethole has two isomers (transandcis),
with thecisisomer being 15–38 times more
toxic to animals than the trans isomer
(MERCK).^19 Current U.S.P. and F.C.C. speci-
fications for anethole do not require differ-
entiation between the isomers. Anethole (no
isomer given) has shown mutagenic activity
in AmesSalmonellareversion assay,^36 and
estragole is a known genotoxic carcinogen
with a recommended limit in food of
0.05 mg/kg.^11
Japanese star anise (Illicium lanceolatum
A. C. Smith; formerly identified asIllicium
anisatumL. orI. religiosumSieb. et Zucc.)
should not be confused with true star anise
(Chinese star anise) (I. verum). Use of the
former as a culinary spice could result in
fatality.^37 Its mistaken identity in EuropeAnise (and star anise) 37