Volume 53(2):77-82, 2009Acta Biologica Szegediensis

http://www.sci.u-szeged.hu/ABS

REVIEW

1Department of Crop Biology, Sect. Plant Physiology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy, 2Department of Veterinary Clinics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

Camphor: benefits and risks of a widely used natural productPaolo Zuccarini1*, Giulio Soldani2

ABSTRACT The main aspects of the non-clinical profile of D-camphor, a natural product widely used as a common remedy for several symptoms, are reviewed. The pharmacodynamics and toxicity of this substance are analyzed, with regard to all the literature available, in order to assess a risk profile and better understand the positive and negative results connected with its use. The general conclusion is that the main risks of camphor as a medicinal product are mainly due to a somehow diffused attitude of considering it as “not a real medicine”, and to its consequent sometimes not sufficiently careful administration.Acta Biol Szeged 53(2):77-82 (2009)

KEY WORDS

D-camphorpharmacodynamicpharmacokineticsrisk/benefit assessmenttoxicity

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Pharmacokinetics

Figure 1. Structural formula of Camphor, a bicyclic monoterpene ketone (1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo [2.2.1] heptan).

Interactions

Toxicity

Reproduction toxicity

Mutagenicity and cancerogenicity

Discussion and Conclusions

Acknowledgements

References