Apiol

Apiol

Apiol, whose term in the official IUPAC nomenclature is: 1-allyl-2,5-dimethoxy-3,4-methylenedioxybenzene is a phenylpropanoid with brute or molecular formula: C12H14O4.
The bee in nature is present in the parsley essential oil (Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss, 1866).
The perfectly pure bee is presented in the form of colorless crystals, with a weak smell of parsley, insoluble in water, soluble in organic solvents, which melt at 30 ºC. Crude ethereal oil, or green apiolo, is obtained from the fruits of the plant, while the crystalline substance or white apiolo is extracted from the seeds, also known as “camphor of parsley”.
The beekeeper has antipyretic and emmenagogic properties, by virtue of which it has found a certain use in the past, especially in folk medicine.

It is the substance responsible for the abortive effects due to parsley, due to the contractions it causes to the uterine smooth muscle.
However, the substance has a significant toxicological interest, as its use for abortion purposes often causes serious damage to the kidney, intestine and liver, with often fatal consequences.
In addition to the picture of acute intoxication, the green bee is characterized by a strong neurotoxicity that occurs after a certain time from the application of the drug, sometimes causing a complete paralysis of the lower limbs. This effect is attributed to o-tricresyl phosphate, a substance contained in crude ethereal oil.

Warning: The information shown is not medical advice and may not be accurate. The contents are for illustrative purposes only and do not replace medical advice.