Carnosic acid health benefit and review of published trials

Carnosic acid is a phenolic diterpene found in several herbs like Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) and Salvia officinalis (Sage). See also carnosol.

Carnosic acid and carnosol potently inhibit human 5-lipoxygenase and suppress pro-inflammatory responses of stimulated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
Biochem Pharmacol. 2008 Jul. Poeckel D, Greiner C, Verhoff M, Rau O, Tausch L, Hörnig C, Steinhilber D, Schubert-Zsilavecz M, Werz O.
Department of Pharmaceutical Analytics, Pharmaceutical Institute, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Extracts of these plants exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, but the underlying mechanisms are largely undefined. Recently, we found that CA and CS activate the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, implying an anti-inflammatory potential on the level of gene regulation. Here we address short-term effects of CA and CS on typical functions of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL). We found that (I), CA and CS inhibit the formation of pro-inflammatory leukotrienes in intact PMNL (IC(50)=15-20 microM [CA] and 7 microM [CS], respectively) as well as purified recombinant 5-lipoxygenase (EC number 1.13.11.34, IC(50)=1 microM [CA] and 0.1 microM [CS], respectively), (II) both CA and CS potently antagonise intracellular Ca(2+) mobilisation induced by a chemotactic stimulus, and (III) CA and CS attenuate formation of reactive oxygen species and the secretion of human leukocyte elastase. Together, our findings provide a pharmacological basis for the anti-inflammatory properties reported for carnosic acid and CA-containing extracts.

Carnosic acid and carnosol potently inhibit human 5-lipoxygenase and suppress pro-inflammatory responses of stimulated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
Biochem Pharmacol. 2008 Jul 1; Poeckel D, Greiner C, Verhoff M, Rau O, Tausch L, Hörnig C, Steinhilber D, Schubert-Zsilavecz M, Werz O. Department of Pharmaceutical Analytics, Pharmaceutical Institute, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Carnosic acid and carnosol are phenolic diterpenes present in several labiate herbs like Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) and Salvia officinalis (Sage). Extracts of these plants exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, but the underlying mechanisms are largely undefined. Recently, we found that Carnosic acid and CS activate the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, implying an anti-inflammatory potential on the level of gene regulation. We found that Carnosic acid and CS inhibit the formation of pro-inflammatory leukotrienes in intact PMNL. Both Carnosic acid and CS potently antagonise intracellular Ca(2+) mobilisation induced by a chemotactic stimulus, and Carnosic acid and CS attenuate formation of reactive oxygen species and the secretion of human leukocyte elastase. Together, our findings provide a pharmacological basis for the anti-inflammatory properties reported for Carnosic acid and CA-containing extracts.

Syntheses of carnosic acid and carnosol, anti-oxidants in Rosemary, from pisiferic acid, the major constituent of Sawara.
Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2010 Jan; Tada M, Ohkanda T, Kurabe J. Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Japan.
Carnosic acid, a major anti-oxidant in rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), was synthesized from pisiferic acid, the major constituent of Sawara (Chamaecyparis pisifera), via ortho-oxidation of the phenol using meta-chlorobenzoyl peroxide (mCBPO), chloroacetyl meta-chlorobenzoyl peroxide (CAMCBPO) or 2-iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX). Carnosol, another anti-oxidant in rosemary, was synthesized from carnosic acid by oxidation with silver oxide. Potent antibacterial activities against Propionibacterium acnes (ATCC 6919) (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) mug/ml) and Staphylococcus aureus ME/GM/TC Resistant (ATCC 33592) (MIC mug/ml) of carnosic acid and carnosol were reported.

Can carnosic acid be taken with carnosine supplement?
    We are not aware of such studies.

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