Peppermint and Its Functionality: A Review

Abstract

Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), is a medicinal plant that has received more attention from both food and pharmaceutical industries because of its health benefits for human society. Herein, the chemical structure of peppermint compounds evaluated using theoretical studies. Indeed, the health benefits of peppermint were reviewed. Our molecular docking showed that among peppermaint compounds, cineol and menthyl acetate apparently bound to the active site of arylamine N-acetyltransferase enzyme. This type of interaction indicatesthe inhibitory effects of these compounds against this enzyme. Quantum studies revealed that menthol (Egap=16.9 eV) and pulegone (Egap=12.6 eV) are stable and unstable compounds in this plant. Finally, our theoretical results are similar to experimental investigations that reported before. Summing up, this plant is a good target for research and further studies should be focus on evaluating of peppermint in prevention of human diseases.