Bioactive Compounds and Therapeutic Applications of Chamomile Extracts

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) harbours a rich array of bioactive constituents including flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin), phenolic acids and sesquiterpene derivatives (α-bisabolol, chamazulene). These molecules underlie its broad pharmacological spectrum, encompassing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antispasmodic and metabolic-regulating effects. Extraction techniques—from aqueous infusions to hydroalcoholic, supercritical fluid and nanoemulsion-based methods—profoundly influence phytochemical yield and composition. Advances in analytical profiling have refined identification and quantification of key polyphenols and essential oil components, enabling standardisation of therapeutic preparations. In wound healing and dermatological formulations, chamomile-derived flavonoids and terpenoids confer free-radical scavenging and collagen-stabilising activities. In the gastrointestinal tract, K+-channel modulation and smooth muscle relaxation account for antispasmodic and antisecretory benefits. Emerging evidence highlights modulation of carbohydrate-digesting enzymes and glucose transporters, suggesting utility in post-prandial glycaemic control. The anti-inflammatory actions extend to immune cells, where differential extract preparations variably attenuate T-cell activation and cytokine release, informing potential adjunct therapies for chronic inflammatory conditions. Overall, interdisciplinary research is converging on optimised extraction and delivery systems, linking molecular characterisation to clinical potential and supporting the global significance of chamomile as a versatile phytopharmaceutical resource.

Research from Nature Portfolio

A foundational investigation demonstrated that isolated polyphenols from chamomile, notably apigenin and apigenin-7-O-glucoside, inhibit key digestive enzymes (α-amylase, maltase) and impede glucose and sucrose transport in intestinal cell models. Molecular docking and competitive binding studies revealed distinct interactions with enzyme active sites and glucose transporters, including GLUT2. These mechanistic insights position chamomile constituents as promising modulators of post-prandial hyperglycaemia, offering a rational basis for dietary or therapeutic applications in glycaemic management.

Bioactive Compounds and Therapeutic Applications of Chamomile Extracts publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in bioactive compounds and therapeutic applications of chamomile extracts across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Flavonoids: Polyphenolic compounds characterised by a C6–C3–C6 structure, responsible for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Polyphenols: A broad class of plant secondary metabolites with multiple phenolic rings, contributing to radical-scavenging and enzyme-modulating activities.

Sesquiterpenes: Terpenoid compounds containing three isoprene units, notable in chamomile essential oil for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS): An optical technique amplifying Raman signals of analytes adsorbed on nanostructured substrates, enabling rapid phenolic profiling.

Nanoemulsion: A kinetically stable colloidal system of nanoscale oil droplets in water, used to improve solubility and cutaneous delivery of hydrophobic extracts.

References

1. Rapid determination of phenolic composition in chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Food Chemistry (2024).
2. Exploring the Potential of Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Matricaria chamomilla White Ray Florets as a Source of Bioactive (Cosmetic) Ingredients. Antioxidants (2023).
3. Comparative analysis of whole plant, flower and root extracts of Chamomilla recutita L. and characteristic pure compounds reveals differential anti-inflammatory effects on human T cells. Frontiers in Immunology (2024).
4. Acute metabolic actions of the major polyphenols in chamomile: an in vitro mechanistic study on their potential to attenuate postprandial hyperglycaemia. Scientific Reports (2018).
5. Antidiarrhoeal, antisecretory and antispasmodic activities of Matricaria chamomilla are mediated predominantly through K+-channels activation. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2015).