Artemisia dracunculus L. (Tarragon): A Critical Review of Its Traditional Use, Chemical Composition, Pharmacology, and Safety

• Published in: Journal of agricultural and food chemistry Vol. 59; no. 21; pp. 11367 - 11384
• Main Authors: Obolskiy, Dmitry, Pischel, Ivo, Feistel, Bjoern, Glotov, Nikolay, Heinrich, Michael
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Chemical Society 09.11.2011
• Subjects: acids; acute toxicity; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - adverse effects; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - chemistry; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Artemisia - chemistry; Artemisia dracunculus; chemical composition; clinical trials; coumarins; cultivars; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; essential oils; flavonoids; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents - adverse effects; Hypoglycemic Agents - chemistry; Hypoglycemic Agents - pharmacology; in vivo studies; methyl chavicol; mutagenicity; pharmacology; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts - adverse effects; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; risk; rodents; secondary metabolites; spices; tarragon; antihyperglycemic; Artemisia dracunculus (tarragon; Asteraceae; anti-inflammatory; essential oil; methyleugenol; hepatoprotective; estragole
• ISSN: 0021-8561; 1520-5118
• DOI: 10.1021/jf202277w

Artemisia dracunculus L. (tarragon) has a long history of use as a spice and remedy. Two well-described “cultivars” (Russian and French) are used widely and differ in ploidy level, morphology, and chemistry. Key biologically active secondary metabolites are essential oils (0.15–3.1%), coumarins (>1%), flavonoids, and phenolcarbonic acids. In vivo studies mainly in rodents, particularly from Russian sources, highlight potential anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and antihyperglycemic effects. Despite concerns about the toxic effects of two of its main constituents, estragole (up to 82%) and methyleugenol (up to 39%), no acute toxicity or mutagenic activity has been reported at doses relevant for human consumption. Water extracts of A. dracunculus contain very low amounts of estragole and methyleugenol and, therefore, are considered to pose a very limited risk. Overall, a stronger focus on clinical studies and precise taxonomic and phytochemical definition of the source material will be essential for future research efforts.