Toothache plant

    Written by:
    Kamal Patel
    Last Updated: August 28, 2025

    Spilanthes acmella is a traditional medicine for toothache, fever, and as an aphrodisiac; one study in rats suggests that it may increase testosterone, but it is an understudied herb.



    1.

    Sources and Contents

    1.1

    Sources

    Spilanthes acmella is the more common name for the plant Acmella oleracea (and also has another name of Spilanthes oleracea; used less frequently). It belongs to the plant family of Asteraceae, and has been used in Ayurveda.[1]

    Common terms used to refer to the plant include Jambu, toothache plant, or Paracress. It derives the name of 'toothache' plant from the compound 'spilanthol' which is sometimes used to reduce the pain associated with toothaches and can induce saliva secretions,[2] alongside the other compound Acmellonate.[3] Other traditional uses of this herb according to Indian medicine are the treatment of rheumatism and inflammation, a sialagogue for stammering, tongue paralysis, stomatitis, toothache and a treatment for fever, sore throat, and gum infections.[1] Beyond these health effects, it has been used as an aphrodisiac and sexual tonic.[1]

    Spilanthes Acmella does appear to have anti-malarial and antilarvicidal properties,[4][5] once demonstrated as a tea (hot water extract).[6]

    1.2

    Composition

    As a herbal compound, Spilanthes Acmella contains a variety of molecules including the N-Akylamide class:

    • (2E,6Z,8E)-N-isobutyl-2,6,8-decatrienamide (aka. Spilanthol)[2] (at around 0.20% w/w)[1][5] with one study finding 0.07%[7]
    • (2E,4E,8Z,10Z)-N-isobutyl-dodeca-2,4,8,10-tetraenamide, most prominent at 0.71%[1]
    • (2E,7Z)-N-isobutyl-2,7-tridecadiene-10,12-diynamide (0.12%), (2Z)-N-phenethyl-2-nonene-6,8-diynamide (0.11%), (2E,4Z)-N-isobutyl-2,4-undecadiene-8,10-diynamide (0.25%), (2E,7Z)-N-isobutyl-2,7-decadienamide (0.04%), (2E,6Z,8E)-N-(2-methylbutyl)-2,6,8-decatrienamide (0.07%)[1] (z)-Non-2-en-6,8-diynoic acid isobutylamide (0.01%), (2E)-N-isobutylundeca-2-ene-8,10-diynamide (0.01%), and Spilanthic acid 2-methylbutylamide (0.04%)[7]
    • (7Z,9E)-2-oxo-undeca-7,9-dienyl 3-methylbut-2-enoate (aka. Acmellonate) at less than 100ppm (1mg/kg or less)[3]

    And other various compounds being:

    • The triterpenoid 3-acetylaleuritolic acid[8]
    • The coumarin Scopoletin[8]
    • Vanillic acid, trans-ferulic acid, and trans-isoferulic acid[8] the latter being a bioactive of Cimicifuga plants[reference|url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1781695/|title=Administration of isoferulic acid improved the survival rate of lethal influenza virus pneumonia in mice|
    • β-sitostenone and Stigmasterol[8]

    The bioactives appear to be N-akylamide compounds, which have been implicated in enhancing sexuality via Maca (Macamide[9]) and Anacyclus Pyrethrum (pellitorine[10]); these are different from most aphrodisiac compounds, which work via terpenoids or saponins. The N-akylamide class tends to be extracted in ethyl acetate:butanolic extracts due to their relatively high polarity.[7] Spilanthol can be concentrated in the ethanolic extract, which has once been found to contain 9.04% of total N-Akylamides yet 88.84% Spilanthol.[11]

    image

    The bioactives in Spilanthes are still being weeded out, but they appear to belong to the N-Akylamide class of molecules and Spinathol appears to be the bioactive currently seen as the 'primary' bioactive

    2.

    Pharmacology

    2.1

    Enzymatic Interactions

    Spilanthes Acmella may inhibit the CYP2E1 enzyme, as 0.067mM of Spilanthol has been shown to inhibit 55% and 75% of CYP2E1 activity in human liver microsomes and expressed 2E1 enzymes, respectively.[12]

    Since CYP2E1 is involved in processing ethanol after ingestion[13], care should be taken when consuming alcohol while using this supplement. Spilanthes Acmella could theoretically increase ethanol sensitivity by slowing the rate of clearance from the body.

    3.

    Neurology

    3.1

    Pain

    Spilanthes has been investigated for its pain relieving effects since it was observed that consuming a salad made from the leaves numbed the tongue.[14] The bioactive Spilanthol is well absorbed through the skin,[15] When applied intracutaneously, 10% and 20% Spilanthes Acmella produced 70.36% and 87.02% anesthesia within 5 minutes and when compared to 2% xylocaine as active control (which produced 97.22% anesthesia within 2 minutes) Spilanthes underperformed.[14]

    Other possible bioactives include Acmellonate, which has demonstrated in isolation a weak numbing effect on the tongue.[3]

    Possible pain killing effects when applied topically, apparently numbs the tongue when the herb itself is eaten as a salad

    4.

    Cardiovascular Health

    4.1

    Triglyceride absorption

    Spilanthes Acmella has once been demonstrated to inhibit Pancreatic Lipase activity when an ethanolic extract of the flowers were used, and Pancreatic Lipase was inhibited 40% in vitro at 2mg/mL Spilanthes.[16] It was compared to and significantly outperformed by Aframomum meleguetta (90% inhibition), also known as Alligator Pepper, where even 0.75mg/mL inhibited more pancreatic lipase than Spilanthes.[16]

    4.2

    Blood Flow

    Spilanthes Acmella appears to have endothelium-dependent vasorelaxant properties, with an ethyl acetate fraction possessing an EC50 value of 76.1ng/mL.[17] This extract has been shown previously to possess a Scopoletin content, which is both an anti-oxidant and vasorelaxant;[18] this may be the bioactive in Spilanthes underlying vasorelaxation.

    5.

    Inflammation and Immunology

    5.1

    Mechanisms

    Hexane and Chloroform extracts of Spilanthes Acmella appear to suppress Nitric Oxide production in stimulated macrophages at 80mcg/mL by 72% and 85% respectively, and isolated Spilanthol appears to dose-dependently prevent macrophage activation (assessed by nitric oxide and morphology after LPS stimulation) with 90uM reducing Nitric Oxide production to 60% and 360uM nearing 20% production.[19] These inhibitory properties were accompanied by less iNOS and COX2 mRNA and protein content, less cytokine production from macrophages, and less NF-kB activation in the nucleus (90uM and 180uM reducing activation to 57% and 38% of control); these were thought to all be secondary to general anti-oxidant properties.[19]

    Possible anti-inflammatory effects, otherwise unexplored in animal models

    6.

    Interactions with Sexuality

    6.1

    Male Sexuality

    Spilanthes Acmella confers aphrodisiac effects in male rats dose-dependently improving mount latency and frequency, intromission latency and frequency, and improvements in ejaculation frequency and decreasing the post-ejaculatory interval (remission).[1] Although exact quantification of these improvements was not given, estimates derived from graphs suggest that after 28 days of 150mg/kg, the improvements were reductions in mount latency (51%), intromission latency (47%), post-ejaculatory latency (48%) and increases in mount frequency (110%), intromission frequency (amount of entries into female within 30 minutes of observation; 350% increase, from 2 to 9), ejaculation frequency (amount of ejaculations in 30 minutes; 66% improvement) . These benefits were more significant 28 days after supplementation relative to 14 days, suggesting a build-up effect.[1]

    In regards to pro-erectile properties, one study which established a 293% increase in the penile erection index (PEI) to Viagra (5mg/kg) noted a 202% increase with Spilanthes Acmella[1] and appears to still exist up to 2 weeks after supplement cessation; suggesting long elimination rates of the active compounds, as when measured 14 days after cessation the Viagra group normalized and the highest dose of 150mg/kg Spilanthes remained 177% above baseline.[1] These effects were dose-dependent in nature, built up over 28 days (more potency on day 28 of supplementation relative to day 14), and a subsequent in vitro test in DS-1 cells noted that the increase in Nitric Oxide was 52% as potent as Viagra at the same dose.[1]

    Appears to beneficially influence all parameters of male sexuality to a degree more than Viagra except for pro-erectile properties, of which Viagra outperformed. Preliminary evidence suggests that it is fairly potent

    7.

    Interactions with Hormones

    7.1

    Testosterone

    With controls at 1.73 ± 0.11 ng/mL testosterone, supplementation increased testosterone levels by 20%, 68%, and 115% at 50mg/kg bodyweight, 100mg/kg and 150mg/kg respectively after 28 days of supplementation.[1]

    At least one study suggesting increases in testosterone after supplementation

    7.2

    Follicle Stimulating Hormone

    With control at 1.41 ± 0.09 mIU/mL Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), FSH increased 23%, 79%, and 120% at doses of 50mg/kg bodyweight, 100mg/kg and 150mg/kg respectively of the ethanolic extract.[1]

    7.3

    Luteinizing Hormone

    With control at 4.63 ± 0.11 mIU/mL for luteinizing hormone (LH), it increased by 5%, 13%, and 48% at following consumption of 50, 100, or 150mg/kg of th ethnaolic extract of Spilanthese Acmella.[1]

    8.

    Interactions with Organs

    8.1

    Bladder

    Spilanthes Acmella has been touted to have diuretic properties in Sri Lankan medicine,[20] and when the flowers were tested at oral doses of 500, 1000, or 1500mg/kg in rats with 13mg/kg furosemide as an active control the highest dose of Spilanthes Acmella induced urine output within 1 hour after ingestion with similar potency to furosemide (523% relative to 405% with Furosemide) yet continued to have potency over 5 hours, eventually outperforming Furosemide in overall urine output.[20] This diuretic effect by the highest dose was accompanied by an increase in urinary sodium (51%) and potassium (213%) although the ratio did not appear significantly altered, and a decrease in urinary pH existed with no changes in proteinurea, glucoseurea, or urine color.[20]

    Appears to be a very potent diuretic when the flowers are consumed at high doses, stronger than furosemide in one study

    9.

    Safety and Toxicology

    In studies on rats using dosages of up to 150mg/kg bodyweight, no toxic effects or hinderances to functionality are noted with an ethanolic extract over 28 days of supplementation.[1] 10-fold this dose (1500mg/kg) ethanolic extract of the flowering buds with similar bioactives has failed to exert toxicity acutely when given to rats in a single dose.[20]

    Care should be taken when consuming Spilanthes acmella with alchohol, since it may increase ethanol sensivity via inhibition of the enzyme CYP2E1.[13]

    References

    1. ^Sharma V, Boonen J, Chauhan NS, Thakur M, De Spiegeleer B, Dixit VKSpilanthes acmella ethanolic flower extract: LC-MS alkylamide profiling and its effects on sexual behavior in male ratsPhytomedicine.(2011 Oct 15)
    2. ^Ramsewak RS, Erickson AJ, Nair MGBioactive N-isobutylamides from the flower buds of Spilanthes acmellaPhytochemistry.(1999 Jul)
    3. ^Ley JP, Blings M, Krammer G, Reinders G, Schmidt CO, Bertram HJIsolation and synthesis of acmellonate, a new unsaturated long chain 2-ketol ester from Spilanthes acmellaNat Prod Res.(2006 Jul 20)
    4. ^Pandey V, Agrawal V, Raghavendra K, Dash APStrong larvicidal activity of three species of Spilanthes (Akarkara) against malaria (Anopheles stephensi Liston, Anopheles culicifacies, species C) and filaria vector (Culex quinquefasciatus Say)Parasitol Res.(2007 Dec)
    5. ^Pandey V, Chopra M, Agrawal VIn vitro isolation and characterization of biolarvicidal compounds from micropropagated plants of Spilanthes acmellaParasitol Res.(2011 Feb)
    6. ^Spelman K, Depoix D, McCray M, Mouray E, Grellier PThe traditional medicine Spilanthes acmella, and the alkylamides spilanthol and undeca-2E-ene-8,10-diynoic acid isobutylamide, demonstrate in vitro and in vivo antimalarial activityPhytother Res.(2011 Jul)
    7. ^Mbeunkui F, Grace MH, Lategan C, Smith PJ, Raskin I, Lila MAIsolation and identification of antiplasmodial N-alkylamides from Spilanthes acmella flowers using centrifugal partition chromatography and ESI-IT-TOF-MSJ Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci.(2011 Jul 1)
    8. ^Prachayasittikul S, Suphapong S, Worachartcheewan A, Lawung R, Ruchirawat S, Prachayasittikul VBioactive metabolites from Spilanthes acmella MurrMolecules.(2009 Feb 19)
    9. ^Cicero AF, Bandieri E, Arletti RLepidium meyenii Walp. improves sexual behaviour in male rats independently from its action on spontaneous locomotor activityJ Ethnopharmacol.(2001 May)
    10. ^Sharma V, Thakur M, Chauhan NS, Dixit VKEffects of petroleum ether extract of Anacyclus pyrethrum DC. on sexual behavior in male ratsZhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao.(2010 Aug)
    11. ^Boonen J, Baert B, Burvenich C, Blondeel P, De Saeger S, De Spiegeleer BLC-MS profiling of N-alkylamides in Spilanthes acmella extract and the transmucosal behaviour of its main bio-active spilantholJ Pharm Biomed Anal.(2010 Nov 2)
    12. ^Raner GM, Cornelious S, Moulick K, Wang Y, Mortenson A, Cech NBEffects of herbal products and their constituents on human cytochrome P450(2E1) activityFood Chem Toxicol.(2007 Dec)
    13. ^Heit C, Dong H, Chen Y, Thompson DC, Deitrich RA, Vasiliou VKThe role of CYP2E1 in alcohol metabolism and sensitivity in the central nervous systemSubcell Biochem.(2013)
    14. ^Chakraborty A, Devi BR, Sanjebam R, Khumbong S, Thokchom ISPreliminary studies on local anesthetic and antipyretic activities of Spilanthes acmella Murr. in experimental animal modelsIndian J Pharmacol.(2010 Oct)
    15. ^Boonen J, Baert B, Roche N, Burvenich C, De Spiegeleer BTransdermal behaviour of the N-alkylamide spilanthol (affinin) from Spilanthes acmella (Compositae) extractsJ Ethnopharmacol.(2010 Jan 8)
    16. ^Ekanem AP, Wang M, Simon JE, Moreno DAAntiobesity properties of two African plants (Afromomum meleguetta and Spilanthes acmella) by pancreatic lipase inhibitionPhytother Res.(2007 Dec)
    17. ^Wongsawatkul O, Prachayasittikul S, Isarankura-Na-Ayudhya C, Satayavivad J, Ruchirawat S, Prachayasittikul VVasorelaxant and antioxidant activities of Spilanthes acmella MurrInt J Mol Sci.(2008 Dec)
    18. ^Iizuka T, Nagumo S, Yotsumoto H, Moriyama H, Nagai MVasorelaxant effects of Acer nikoense extract and isolated coumarinolignans on rat aortic ringsBiol Pharm Bull.(2007 Jun)
    19. ^Wu LC, Fan NC, Lin MH, Chu IR, Huang SJ, Hu CY, Han SYAnti-inflammatory effect of spilanthol from Spilanthes acmella on murine macrophage by down-regulating LPS-induced inflammatory mediatorsJ Agric Food Chem.(2008 Apr 9)
    20. ^Ratnasooriya WD, Pieris KP, Samaratunga U, Jayakody JRDiuretic activity of Spilanthes acmella flowers in ratsJ Ethnopharmacol.(2004 Apr)