Datta K Animesh et al.

IRJP 2 (8) 2011 1-10

INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PHARMACY
Available online http://www.irjponline.com
Review Article

ISSN 2230 8407

AN UPDATED OVERVIEW ON PEPPERMINT (MENTHA PIPERITA L.)

Paul Rita2 and Datta K. Animesh1*
Department of Botany, Cytogenetics and Plant Breeding Section, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, West Bengal, India
2
Department of Botany, Charuchandra College, Kolkata- 29, India
Article Received on: 12/06/11 Revised on: 10/07/11 Approved for publication: 09/08/11

*Dr. Animesh K. Datta, Professor & H.O.D., Department of Botany, Cytogenetics and Plant Breeding Section
University of Kalyani, Kalyani 741235, West Bengal, India Email: dattaanimesh@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Mentha piperita L. (Family: Lamiaceae; Synonym: M. balsamea Wild; commonly known as peppermint) is a natural hybrid (M. aquatica
M. spicata) with immense therapeutic uses (oldest known medicinal plant species, medicinal plant of the year 2004, known as heirba
Buena meaning good herb) apart from possessing other potential uses (as flavoring agent from chewing gum to after dinner mints, in
cosmetics and pharmaceutical products). The plant species is a perennial herb, propagating through stolons and yield peppermint oil
(extremely used of all the volatile oils) of commerce (used parts: leaf, whole plant). Considering the essentiality of M. piperita an overview is
conducted involving nearly all aspects to provide unabridged repository of references to present and future researchers for effective
exploration of the species in human health benefits and commerce.
KEY WORDS: Mentha piperita, overview, Lamiaceae

INTRODUCTION
Mentha piperita L. (Family: Lamiaceae; Synonym: M.
balsamea Wild; commonly known as peppermint) is an
important medicinal herb (medicinal plant of the year
20041; oldest known medicinal plant species in Eastern
and Western traditions although first described in 1753
by Carolus Linnaeus) worldwide2, apart from its
potential uses as flavoring agent (from chewing gum to
after dinner mints), in cosmetics, pharmaceutical
products amongst others. The species is a natural
interspecific (M. aquatica M. spicata) hybrid2. M.
piperita (known as heirba buena meaning good herb)
yield peppermint oil (principal component is menthol
C10H19OH, mw: 156.27, waxy white crystalline
monoterpene substance, solid at room temperature,
produced and accumulated specifically in the peltate
glandular trichomes of the aerial parts) of commerce
(extremely used of all the volatile oils3). Although
peppermint oil is obtained from three species namely, M.
arvensis L. var. piperascens malinvaud, M. piperita L.
var. piperita and M. spicata L., oil quality of M. piperita
(ISO 856: 20064) and efficacy are reported to be the
best5. India is the dominant source of mint oil and
menthol in the world market; however, despite the
quantity of peppermint being at par with world standards
much headway in export trade could not be made due to
fierce competition from USA (out of 4000 tonnes total
worlds production, India produces about 200 tonnes)6.

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An overview on M. piperita (possessing potential and

significant uses) covering nearly all essential aspects is
documented in the text with the view that present and
future researchers may explore the plant species for
human benefits and to enhance trade.
Local names around the world
Arabic: Nana; Bogota: Yerba Buena; Brazil: Nortela
pimento; Chinese: Po Ho; Danish: Pebermynte; Dutch:
Pepermint; English: Brandy Mint, Pepper Mint; French:
Menthe, Menthe anglaise; Hungarian: Borsus menta;
Italian: Menta piperita; Mexico: Menta piperita; North
America: Lamb Mint, Brandy Mint, Lam Mint,
Norwegian:
Peppermynte;
Polish:
Peppermint;
Pepparmunta; Portuguese: Hortelana pimentosa;
Russian: Myata perechnaya; Spanish: Mentainglesa,
Menta Piperita; Swedish: Pepparmynt; Turkish: Nana;
Uruguay: Menta.7
Local names in Indian languages
Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi, Urdu, Marathi, Tamil
and Telugu: Pudina; Kashmiri: Pudyanu; Malayalam:
Puthina.
Distribution
The plant is indigenous to Europe and widespread in
cultivation throughout all regions of the world. It is
found wild occasionally with its parent species. It is an
invasive species in Australia, the Galapagos Islands,
New Zealand and United States.8

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Cultivation, Harvesting and Yield
Peppermint generally thrives in moist, shaded locations
and grows best with a good supply of water. Being a
hybrid, it is usually sterile, producing very few seeds and
reproduces almost vegetatively, spreading quickly by
underground runners (rainy season) and stolons (winter).
Plantation is done during last week of December to last
week of January by live juicy stolons (8-10 cm. long,
400-450 kg stolons per ha, with 40-60 cm. spacing). The
species is often planted in areas with part-sun to shade.
Harvesting is done twice in June (first after 100-120
days of growth) and in October (second about 80-90 days
following first harvest) on bright sunny days (since
decrease in menthol content occur on cloudy/rainy
days).8,6 Average yield is 20 tonnes of fresh herbage per
ha which in turn yield around 250 kg oil per year. India
is the leading producer, consumer and exporter of
Mentha oil in the world with around 14000 metric tons
production (followed by China and Brazil) and 3000
metric tons exports annually of around 100 corers rupee
the data is of 2003 and of total Mentha oil irrespective
of the species.9
Common cultivars for garden use
Candymint- stems reddish; Citrata (orange mint)- leaves
aromatic, hairless; Crispa- leaves wrinkled; Limemintfoliage lime-scented; Variegata- leaves mottled green
and pale yellow; Chocolatemint- flowers open from
bottom up10.
Commercial cultivars
Dulgo pole11, Zefir11, Bulgarian population #211, Clone
11-6-2211, Clone 80-121-3311 and Mitcham Digne 3812,
Mitcham Ribecourt 1912, Todd's#x201912.
Used parts
Leaf, whole plant.
Products
Peppermint oil, peppermint tea, peppermint candy, mints
chocolate, chewing gum, candy care, insect repellant
amongst others.
Plant description
Rhizomatous perennial herb, about 30 to 90 cm in
height; stem square erect or ascending, branched, upper
portion always quadrangular; rhizomes wide-spreading,
fleshy with fibrous roots; leaves 4 to 9 cm long and 1.5
to 4 cm broad, opposite, petiolate, ovate-oblong to
oblong-lanceolate, serrate, pointed, dark green on the
upper surface; flowers 6 to 8 mm long, purplish, occur in
thick, terminal, spicoid racemes of verticillasters; calyx
tubular with 5 sharp, hairy teeth, purplish, irregular;
corolla four cleft; stamens 4, short; ovary four celled,
style projecting ending in a bifid stigma; fruit consists of
four ellipsoidal nutlets13.

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Leaf anatomy
Leaves being the most important part from which oil is
extracted, the anatomical characters are relevant. Upper
epidermis composed of large, clear epidermal cells with
sinuous, vertical walls and possessing few or no stomata,
few glandular trichomes present; palisade parenchyma,
comprising a layer of columnar cells rich in chloroplasts;
spongy parenchyma, of 46 layers of irregularly shaped
chloroplastid- containing cells and intercellular airspaces. Lower epidermis of small epidermal cells with
sinuous, vertical walls and numerous diacytic stomata; in
the region of veins and midrib, exhibits non-glandular
and glandular trichomes as outgrowths; non-glandular
trichomes uniseriate, papillose, 18-celled; glandular
trichomes have 12-celled stalk and 18-celled glandular
head containing the essential oil. Calcium oxalate
crystals absent13.
Chemical composition
Peppermint oil is composed primarily of menthol
(37.4%), menthyl acetate (17.4%) and menthone
(12.7%)14. Other constituents include pulegone,
menthofuran and limone15; flavonoid glcosides namely,
narirutin,
hesperidin,
luteolin-7-o-rutinoside,
isorhoifolin, diosmin16,17; 5,7-dihydroxycromone-7-orutinoside16; polyphenols like eriocitrin16,17,18, rosmarinic
acid16,17,18,19; cinnamic acid, caffeic acid and naringenin7-o-glucoside18; salvianolic acid, dedihydro-salvianolic
acid,
luteolin-glucouronide,
luteolin-diglucoronide,
luteolin-glucopyranosyl-rhamnopyranoside, eriodictyolglucopyranosyl-rhamnopyranoside19 were also isolated
from the aerial parts. Besides these, the herb also
contain20 1,8-cineole, -amorphene, -cadinene, carotene, -copaene, -gurjunene, -pinene, -terpinene,
-terpineol, -thujone, -tocopherol, amyl-valerate,
anethole, azulene, -betulenol,
-carotene, caryophyllene, -copaene, -ionone, -pinene, -thujone,
-ylangene, betaine, bicycloelemene, bisabolene,
cadinene, camphene, carvacrol, carveol, carveol-acetate,
carvone, caryophyllene-oxide, cedrene, cedrol, choline,
cineole, cinerol, cis-piperitol, cis-roseoxide, cis-sabinol,
citronellol, cryptone, flavons hymenoxin, isoamylphenylacetate,
isomenthol,
isomenthol-acetate,
isomenthone, isomenthyl-acetate, isopulegol-acetate,
isovaleraldehyde, isovaleric-acid, isovaleric-acid-noctyl-ester, jasmone, lavandulol, ledol , limonene,
linalool, luteolin, menthoside, menthyl-isovalerate,
menthyl-valerate, myrcene, myrtenol, neoisomentholacetate, neomenthol, neomenthone, neomenthyl-acetate,
nerolidol, nevadensin, octan-3-ol, p-cymene, p-cymol,
pectin, pent-cis-2-en-1-ol, perillyl-alcohol, phellandrene,
phenylethanols,
phenyl-propyl-pyridines,
pinene,
piperitenone, piperitone, piperitone-oxide, pyridine,

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Datta K Animesh et al. IRJP 2 (8) 2011 1-10

sabinene, sabinene-acetate, sabinene-hydrate, salvigenin,
sideritoflavone, terpinolene, thymol, trans-piperitol,
trans-roseoxide, vanillin, viridiflorol, xanthomicrol.
Oil extraction
Oil is extracted from the whole plant above ground just
before flowering. Cultivated plants are selected for more
and better oil content than wild forms. The oil can be
extracted by the classical procedure like steam
distillation (yield: 0.1 1.0%) or with organic solvents
from the fresh or partly dried plant. But due to some
drawbacks of the two processes, recently superficial fluid
extraction, direct thermal desroption, hydroalcoholic
extraction and atomization techniques are used21 to
extract menthol from leaf of M. piperita. There is a
significant effect of the combination of pressure and
temperature to achieve the effective isolation and
fractionation of the less and most volatile compounds
using superficial fluids21,22.
Factors affecting plant growth, oil yield and oil
composition
Plants grown with 1.5/3.0 mmol L-1 K showed greater
development of the above ground part23. Mechanical or
combined (with chemical) treatments control weeds and
provides good plant growth24. Ex vitro25 and in vitro26
grown plants displayed enhanced vegetative growth upon
an ascomycetous (member of Pyrenomycetes)
endophytic association. Oil yield/quality or both are
reported to be enhanced following a) grown in shade, b)
drying the plant before distillation, c) maturing of the
plant end of blooming, d) higher mean temperature, e)
application of phosphorus to soil, f) application of
organic manures and sodium nitrate as fertilizers and g)
sandy soil27. Cleark and Menary (1980)28,29 reported high
oil yield with the attributes like, a) high rate of nitrogen
fertilizer (100, 200 and 300 kg/ha), b) high level of
irrigation (50 mm/week), c) long days (16 h light), d)
high photon flux density (1200 Em-2 s-1) and e) high
night temperature. Fahlen et al. (1997)30 were of opinion
that 21-3h photoperiod gives higher concentration of
menthol and night temperature had little effect on the
menthol levels under 21h photoperiod regime; however,
menthol and menthone percentage were significantly
higher in 3rd to 5th leaf compared to top leaf pair position.
Peppermint oil is reported to be enhanced at full bloom
(menthol 43 to 54%, menthone 12 to 30%) and
ground drying of the plants led to slight decrease in oil
yield but quality is not affected31. Sharafi et al. (2010)32
suggested that harvesting in late June compared to late
August enhanced menthol but decreased menthone
content. Hussain et al. (2010)33 reported oil content as
12.2 g kg (-1) in summer and 10.5 g kg (-1) in winter
crops.

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UV-A (360nm; during day time34) and UV-B35 are

recommended to enhance oil content in M. piperita.
Maffei and Scannerini (2000)36 reported that UV-B
radiation significantly increases total phenolic
compounds, menthone, menthofuran, methyl acetate,
gerinacrene D, -caryophyllene but decreases menthol
content. Dolzhenko et al. (2010)37 were of opinion that
UV-B radiation differentially modulates the expression
of genes involved in peppermint essential oil biogenesis
and UV-B absorbing flavonoids. On the contrary, Wu et
al.38 noted reduction of photosynthetic capacity under
UV-B radiation stress.
Diseases of peppermint
Nelson (1950)39 reported that Mitcham American and
White Mitcham varities were more susceptible to
Verticillium wilt (F. albo-atrum var. menthae n. var.) and
plantation of sugar beets and potatoes before mint, tilling
and loose seed beds may control wilt. Juronis and
Snieskiene (2004)40 reported fungal pathogens (Puccinia
menthae, Erysiphe biocellata and Verticillium sp.) and
phytophagous pests (Tetranychus urticae, Eupteryx
atropunctata, Ovatus crataegarius, Polia persicariae,
Agriotes lineatus, Chrysomela coerulans, Cassida
viridis, Longitarsus lycopi) causing severe loss in
peppermint. Szczeponek and Mazur (2006)41 observed
that Puccinia menthae (rust disease) causes major
problems to peppermint growers apart from Epicoccum
purpurascens, Alternaria sp. and Sphaceloma menthae
as the dominating population on the diseased leaves.
Besides these insect pests like Diacrisia obliqua (nature
of damage: eat undersurface of leaf; control measure:
application of Thiodan or Malathion), Agrotis flammatra
(damage young plants at collar region; soil treatment
with Phorate before planting), Aulocophora foevicollis
(feeds on growing leaves and buds; spraying Malathion),
Syngamia abrupatalis (folds the leaf; spraying Thiodan)
and fungal pathogens like Macrophomina phaseoli
(stolon rot; crop rotation with rice and wheat), Fusarium
oxysporum (wilt; application of Benlate, Bavistin and
Topsin), Alternaria sp. (leaf blight; application of copper
fungicide) also cause major loss of peppermint6.
Cryopreservation of mint germplasm
Uchendu and Reed (2008)42 recommended three
cryopreservation protocols (controlled rate cooling,
encapsulation dehydration and vitrificarion) for effective
storage of in vitro-grown plants and suggested that
controlled rate cooling as the most efficient and
successful technique; however recovery of shoot tips
from the other two processes was also high and may also
be used for cryogenic storage of mint germplasm. Volk
and Caspersen (2007)43 studied the extent of cellular
damage and plasmolysis during cryopreservation process

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following the use of cryoprotectant plant vitrification
solution 2 - PVS2 (30% glycerol, 15% dimethyl
sulfoxide, 15% ethylene glycol, 0.4 M sucrose) prior to
liquid-nitrogen exposure and found that the young
meristematic cells were least damaged and thus provides
a high survival rates. Senula et al. (2007)44 evaluated for
regrowth after cooling in liquid nitrogen using shoot tips
from in vitro grown plantlets and a simple vitrification
protocol with aluminium foil as a carrier, the influences
of plant preculture, loading solution and loading time and
of the effects of the cryoprotectant PVS 2 on plant regrowth after re-warming were also investigated.
Therapeutic uses
Herbalists consider peppermint as an astringent,
antiseptic,
antipruritic,
antiemetic,
carminative,
vermifuge, diaphoretic, analgestic45. The plant extract
possesses
radioprotective46,47,
antioxidant17,48,49,
anticarcinogenic50,51,32,52,
antitumorgenic51,
53
54
antiandrogenic ,
antiallergic16,
antinociceptive ,
antispasmodic55, anticatarrhal56,57 properties amongst
others. Peppermint oil vapour is used as an inhalant for
respiratory congestion. Peppermint tea is used to treat
coughs, bronchitis and inflammation of oral mucosa and
throat. Essential oil can be used in complex patients with
infiltrative pulmonary tuberculosis58. Traditionally the
species is used to treat a variety of digestive complaints
such as colic in infants, flatulence, diarrhea, indigestion,
nausea and vomiting, morning sickness and anorexia and
to reduce gas and cramping. Peppermint is used to treat
irritable bowel syndrome59; Crohns disease, ulcerative
colitis, gallbladder and biliary tract disorders and liver
complaints60,61;
menstrual
cramps62;
headaches,
migraines and chicken pox57,60. Plant extract can also
reduce the arsenic-induced toxicity63; glucose,
cholesterol, LDL-c and triglycerides levels (in diabetic
rat64); uric acid level, cholesterol/HDL and LDL/HDL
ratios32; iron absorption65; malodor and volatile sulphur
compounds in intensive care unit patients66.
Clinically it is proven that peppermint is effective against
nausea and vomiting tendency usually in the first few
months of pregnancy67. In a placebo-controlled study of
gynecological surgery patients there was a statistically
significant effect of peppermint in reducing
postoperative nausea68.
The volatile oil of peppermint are useful in invigorating
mind, improving mood, relaxing tension-filled and
anxiety-ridden nervous system45; psychological change
in attentional behavior69; promoting general arousal of
attention70 and enhancing memory71.
Other potential uses
The plant extract of M. piperita possesses anti-viral
(Influenza A virus72, Newcastle disease virus72, Vaccinia

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virus72, Herpes simplex virus type 1 and 273,74, X475, R575

and HIV-175, Vesicular stomatitis virus75, Ecotropic
murine leukemia virus75), antibacterial (bactericidal
against Staphylococcus pyogenes45, Streptococcus
pyogenes45, Serratia marcescens45 and Mycobacterium
avium45; in order of E. coli> Staphylococcus aureus>
Pseudomonas aeruginosa> S. faecalis> Klebsiella
pneumoniae32; bacteriostatic against Streptococcus
thermophilus76, Lactobacillus bulgaricus76, E. coli
O157:H777, Streptococcus mutans78, S. pyogenes78;
against Helicobacter pylori79, Salmonella enteritidis79,
Listeria monocytogenes80,81, Staphylococcus aureus82),
antifungal (Trichophyton mentagrophytes83, Fusarium
moniliforme84, Rhizoctonia solani85, Pythium ultimum
var. ultimum85, Fusarium solani85, Colletotrichum
lindemuthianum85, Yarrowia lipolytica86, Aspergillus
niger87, Rhizopus stolonifer87, Botrytis cinerea87,
Aspergillus candidus88, Penicillium sp.88, Fusarium
culmorum88, Candida albicans89,90), anti-protozoal
(against Giardia lamblia91,92), anti-nematodal (against
Meloidogyne arenaria race 293, gastrointestinal
nematodes of goats94) and larvicidal (larvicidal in order
of Culex quinquefasciatus> Aedes aegypti> Anopheles
stephensi95, female adults of A. aegypti96; mosquitocidal
against C. quinquefasciatus97, A. aegypti97, Anopheles
tessellatus97; repellent against Culex pipiens98; repellent,
larvicidal and pupicidal against the housefly, Musca
domestica99) properties. Mint due to its flavor is used in
confectionary, soap and shampoos; in honey production
from nectar as well.
Pharmacology
Peppermint oil and menthol exert their antiemetic effect
at least partly by acting on the 5-HT(3) receptor of ionchannel complex, probably by binding to a modulatory
site distinct from the serotonin binding site100.
Peppermint's antispasmodic properties are found to
produce a total and immediate resolution of blockage of
Oddi's sphincter (located in the intestinal tract of
animals). It induces Ca2+ influx in a subset of sensory
neurons from dorsal root and trigeminal ganglia, due to
activation of TRPM8 of cation channels101. Animal
model studies demonstrate a relaxation effect of the herb
on gastrointestinal (GI) tissue, analgesic and anesthetic
effects in the central and peripheral nervous system102.
Immunomodulatory effect of peppermint oil is exerted
through 1-menthol, menthone, and 1, 8-cineole
suppressed antigen- induced histamine release103. The oil
stimulates cold receptors on the skin and dilates blood
vessels, causing a sensation of coldness and an analgesic
effect104. Menthol, thymol, and methyl salicylate caused
decreases in blood pressure but had no effects on
respiration, heart rate, or blood flow in the femoral artery

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105

or
gastrocnemius
muscle .
The
principal
pharmacodynamic effect of peppermint oil relevant to
the gastrointestinal tract is a dose-related antispasmodic
effect on the smooth musculature due to the interference
of menthol with the movement of calcium across the cell
membrane; the oil is relatively rapidly absorbed after
oral administration and eliminated mainly via the bile the major biliary metabolite is menthol glucuronide,
which undergoes enterohepatic circulation106. Clinical
effectiveness of peppermint oil in the treatment of
irritable bowel syndrome results from inhibition of the
hyper contractility of intestinal smooth muscle, thereby
returning the muscle to its proper tone. The smooth
muscle spasmolytic effect is exerted primarily on the
neuromuscular junction. Futami (1984)107 reported that
menthol blocks smooth muscle contraction induced by
serotonin and substance P58, and also blocks
neuromuscular transmission. Hawthorn et al. (1988)108
suggested that the vasodialatory effect of peppermint oil
is mainly due to Ca2+ channel blocking properties. The
oil stimulates the upper airway cold receptors causing a
reflex inhibition of respiration and inhibits upper airway
accessory respiratory muscle activity109. Haahr et al.
(2004)110 reported that flavor released to the retronasal
compartment was dependent on masseter muscle activity
and chewing frequency and influenced by the volume of
saliva present in the mouth. Pournemati et al. (2009)111
suggested that inhaling peppermint odor during acute
intensive exercise showed no significant effect on
pulmonary indexes and physical performance. Leaf
extract of menthol is very good bioreductant for the
synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles and
synthesized nanoparticles active against clinically
isolated human pathogens82.
Toxicology
Peppermint oil has few side effect it can cause
heartburn or perianal irritation and is contraindicated in
patients with bile ducts obstruction, gallbladder
inflammation, and severe liver damage60 and caution
should be taken in patients with GI reflux, hiatal hernia
and kidney stones102. Menthol products used directly
under the nose of small children and infants may undergo
the risk of apnea, laryngeal and bronchial spasms, acute
respiratory distress with cyanosis and respiratory
arrest112,113. Menthol can cause jaundice in newborn
babies and in some cases is linked to glucose 6
phosphatase dehydrogenase deficiencies114,115. Allergic
reactions to peppermint are reported. Pulegone and
Menthol are the potentially toxic compounds in
peppermint. Safe use of peppermint in cosmetic
formulations can be done only if the concentration of
pulegone does not exceed 1%15. The toxicities vary from

IRJP 2 (8) August 2011

one cultivar to another116. Patients with achlorhydria

should use peppermint oil only in enteric coated
capsules117.
In vitro studies
Krasnyanski et al. (1998)118 produced somatic hybrid
following protoplast fusion between peppermint (M.
piperita L. cv. Black Mitcham) and spearmint (M.
spicata L. cv. Native Spearmint). Sato et al. (1993)119
through leaf derived protoplast culture developed the
whole plants. Chung et al. (1994)120 studied continuous
suspended cell culture of M. piperita in cell-recycled airlift bioreactor and recorded substantially higher essential
oils in this system than batch culture. Chang et al.
(1998)121 observed improved menthol production from
chitosan-elicited suspension culture of M. piperita and
inferred that chitosan elicitation may activate the
conversion of pulegone to menthol. Faure et al. (1998)122
showed mannitol and thidiazuron improve in vitro shoot
regeneration from peppermint leaf disks. Krasnyanski et
al. (1999)123 produced stable transformants (with highmenthone, menthofuran and pulegone and low menthol
content) peppermint plants (M. piperita L. cv. Black
Mitcham) following Agrobacterium mediated and direct
gene (limonene synthase gene into protoplast using PEG)
transfer. Paolicchi et al. (2002)124 studied the influence
of gravity on axillary shoot formation and adventitious
root regeneration using in vitro culture system.
Sunandakumari et al. (2004)125 reported an efficient and
economic protocol (using commercial sugar and tap
water in MS media) for rapid multiplication of M.
piperita through axillary bud multiplication and ex vitro
rooting. Chakraborty and Chattopadhyay (2008)126
studied the impact of several parameters (like menthone
precursor or -cyclodextria feeding alone or both
together, fungal elicitor, Agrobacterium gall mediated
calli) on the stimulation of menthol production in the cell
suspension culture of M. piperita. Thul and Kukreja
(2010)127 recorded multiple shoot formation (with an
average of 7 shoots per explant on MS medium
supplemented with zeatin) within three weeks from 85%
in vitro culture explants, and the plantlets exhibited 96%
survivality.
Chromosome number
Chromosome number of M. piperita is variable with 2n
counts of 66, 72, 84 and 12010,128.
Polyploid
Lutkov et al. (1966)129 reported first high-yielding
polyploid variety Priluki 6 with 100% greater content of
essential oil than the diploid parent. Few fertile varieties
(C64-56, 27/1, 38/5 and 29/98) were bred from the
spontaneous polyploids. Beljaeva et al. (1970)130
obtained natural polyploid form with 60-72 bivalents and

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1-4 multivalent(s) along with various irregularities in
spindle and tetrad formation. Pollen fertility reported was
66-72%. About 60% of the polyploid forms had 2n=144,
while, the others showed various aneuploid chromosome
numbers. Savchenko (1980)131 found a fertile
allopolyploidy form of M. piperita which proved
resistant to fluctuations in soil moisture and formed
fertile flowers at both 100% and 50% full field capacity;
however, a decrease in soil moisture after meiosis led to
a reduction in the number of fertile flowers.
Interspecific hybrids
Lutkov et al. (1966)129 raised F1 hybrid from crosses
between allopolyploids of M. piperita (2n=144) M.
arvensis var. piperascens (2n=96) and M. piperita M.
sachalinensis (2n=96) and noted the hybrids were bushy
and vigorous with high essential oil contents. Bugaenko
et al. (1980)132 also obtained F1 hybrids between
polyploid M. piperita (2n=144) and three wild forms of
M. spicata (2n=48) and found that about 81.7 to 84.2%
of the plants were with 2n=96; while, the rest had 2n=72,
78, 84 and 91 due to disturbed meiosis.
Molecular studies
Transgenic
peppermints
were
obtained
by
Agrobacterium mediated transformation133,134. Son et al.
(1998)135 suggested that in biotransformation [(--)isopiperitenone
to
(--)-7-hydroxyisopiperitenone]
induction of P450 mediated by jasmonic acid as a
signaling molecule. Fuchs et al. (1999)136 studied stereo
selectivity in the bioconversion of pulegone into
menthone and isomenthone. Mahmoud and Croteau
(2001)137 demonstrated that essential oil quantity and
quality can be regulated by metabolic engineeringalteration of the committed step of the mevalonateindependent pathway that leads to increase in
monoterpene production, and antisense manipulation of a
selected downstream monoterpene biosynthetic step also
improve oil composition. Croteau et al. (2005)138
reported that the organization of menthol biosynthesis is
complex, involving four subcellular compartments;
regulation of the pathway appears to reside largely at the
level of gene expression and genetic engineering to upregulate a flux-limiting step and down-regulate a side
route reaction led to improvement in the composition and
yield of peppermint oil. Ringer et al. (2005)139 cloned
and
characterized
(-)-isopiperitenol/(-)-carveol
dehydrogenase of peppermint; random sequencing of an
oil gland secretory cell cDNA library revealed a large
number of clones that specified redox-type enzymes
including dehydrogenases. Wildung and Croteau
(2005)140 employed two genes (dxr gene - deoxyxylulose
phosphate reductoisomerase gene and mfs gene menthofuran synthase gene) and two expression

IRJP 2 (8) August 2011

strategies to create transgenic peppermint plants with

improved oil composition and yield. Davis et al.
(2005)141 and Prosser et al. (2006)142 cloned and
characterized menthone reductases and cis-muuroladiene
syntheses respectively from peppermint. Gobert et al.
(2006)143 studied nuclear DNA (ITS), chloroplast DNA
(non-coding regions trn L intron, intergenic spacers trn
L-tur F, and psb A-trn H) and AFLP and ISSR markers
from hybrid, diploid and polyploid genome in order to
reconstruct the phylogeny of mints related to M. piperita.
Results suggested differential of introgression of
different genome regions in mint hybrids.
CONCLUSION
M. piperita is a natural hybrid and propagated through
stolons, therefore genetic diversity is limiting which may
be a hindrance to improve peppermint oil yield and
quality. Therefore attempts should be taken to enhance
gene pool of the existing varieties following
conventional (methodology of induced mutagenesis or
polyploidy may be adopted) and biotechnological
approaches and to select desirable clones with enriched
oil content and composition. Present overview on M.
piperita is an endeavor in this regard providing
unabridged repository of references on different aspects,
which may be helpful to researchers to design
experiments for exploring the species for maximizing
trade.
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