What Is Camphor? Other Names: Alcanfor, Arbre à Camphre, Camphora

What is Camphor?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Camphor is a crystalline ketone obtained from the essential oils of the camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora). It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and various industrial applications. This article explores the multifaceted roles of camphor, including its biological effects, therapeutic uses, and potential risks. Other names include: Alcanfor, Arbre à Camphre, Camphor Tree, Camphora, Camphora Officinarum, Camphre, Camphre de Laurier, Camphre Gomme, Camphrier, Cemphire, Cinnamomum Camphora, dl-Camphor, dl-Camphre, Gum Camphor, Kapur, Karpoora, Karpuram, Laurel Camphor, Laurus camphora.

Biological Effects

Camphor has been shown to exert a range of biological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and reproductive impacts. For instance, camphor administration in rats has been linked to the up-regulation of pro-inflammatory chemokines and cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, through the activation of NF-kB, particularly in renal and testicular tissues1. Additionally, camphor has demonstrated antioxidant properties by enhancing the activity of enzymes like catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX)5.

Therapeutic Uses of Camphor

Camphor is utilized in various therapeutic contexts. In poultry, dietary camphor has been found to improve seminal quality and reproductive performance in male broiler breeders, enhancing parameters such as sperm motility and testosterone levels2. Similarly, in Japanese quail, camphor supplementation has been shown to modulate immune responses, improve gut microbiota, and enhance reproductive functions3 4.

Potential Risks

Despite its beneficial properties, camphor can pose significant risks if not used cautiously. High doses of camphor have been associated with histopathological changes in multiple organs, including the liver, kidney, spleen, and ovaries in female rats7. Moreover, camphor-induced nephrotoxicity has been observed, characterized by increased expression of inflammatory markers and apoptotic factors5. In male rats, camphor has shown both enhancing and attenuating effects on sexual behavior, depending on the dosage6 8.

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Adverse Effects of Camphor

Adverse Effects on Organs

Kidneys: Camphor administration has been shown to cause significant renal inflammation and histopathological changes, including glomerulonephritis, tubular necrosis, and congestion of blood cells1 3 6. It also upregulates pro-inflammatory markers such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, and increases the expression of NF-kB and COX-2 in the kidneys1 10.

Liver: Camphor can induce oxidative stress and histopathological changes in the liver, such as vacuolation of hepatocytes, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and loss of cellular architecture3 5.

Testes: Camphor exposure leads to a decrease in sperm count, quality, and testicular morphometric parameters. It also causes histochemical changes in testicular tissue, although it does not significantly alter serum testosterone levels2. Additionally, it increases the expression of inflammatory markers in the testes1.

Brain: Camphor has neurotoxic effects, including the induction of seizures, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. It can cause histopathological changes in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, such as spongiosis, gliosis, and neurofibrillary tangles4 7.

Spleen: Camphor exposure can lead to congestion and degeneration of lymphoid tissue in the spleen, as well as depletion of white pulp3 7.

Reproductive System

Female Reproductive System: Camphor can cause significant structural changes in the uterus, including degeneration of luminal epithelium, dilated blood vessels, and abnormal mitosis, which may affect reproductive function and fertility9.

Biochemical and Molecular Effects

Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Markers: Camphor increases the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde) while decreasing antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, glutathione)1 4 10.

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How has Camphor Improved Patient Outcomes?

Cardiovascular Health and Orthostatic Hypotension

Blood Pressure Regulation: Camphor, often combined with crataegus berry extract, has been effective in managing orthostatic hypotension. Studies have shown that this combination can significantly improve mean arterial pressure (MAP) and reduce the orthostatic fall in blood pressure1 3 4. The combination has a rapid onset of action, making it useful in emergency situations like orthostatic (pre)syncope3.

Symptom Relief: Patients treated with a camphor-crataegus combination reported significant improvements in symptoms related to cardiovascular disorders, such as exhaustion, joint pain, and heart disorders. This was reflected in better scores on heart-related symptom complexes and quality of life assessments2.

Cognitive Function: In elderly patients, the camphor-crataegus combination not only increased blood pressure but also enhanced cognitive performance. This suggests potential benefits beyond cardiovascular health, possibly due to improved cerebral metabolism and sympathetic stimulation5.

Safety and Tolerability

Adverse Events: The studies reported minimal adverse events, with no serious side effects directly linked to camphor. This indicates a good safety profile for the camphor-crataegus combination1 2.

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Camphor Mechanisms of Action

Activation of Inflammatory Pathways

Camphor has been shown to induce oxidative stress and up-regulate pro-inflammatory mediators. Specifically, it increases the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the kidney and testes. This is mediated through the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), which also leads to increased expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), RANTES, and monocyte chemo-attractant protein 1 (MCP-1)1. Additionally, camphor reduces the gene expression of TNF-α, NF-κB, and IL-6, while increasing the expression of antioxidant enzymes like catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX)5.

Modulation of Neurotransmission

Camphor has neurotoxic effects that may be due to the inhibition of GABAergic neurotransmission. This inhibition leads to oxidative stress, inflammation, and neurodegenerative changes, including increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased levels of catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH). These changes result in neuroinflammatory responses and neurodegeneration, as evidenced by the presence of neurofibrillary tangles in the cerebral cortex3.

Hemodynamic Changes

Camphor, particularly in combination with crataegus berry extract, has been shown to increase blood pressure by enhancing total peripheral resistance and improving cardiac performance. This combination leads to a rapid onset of action, increasing blood pressure within one minute of administration, which is beneficial in treating orthostatic hypotension2 6. The combination also improves cognitive performance in the elderly, potentially through hemodynamic alterations and improved cerebral metabolism4.

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Common Complaints Associated with Camphor Use

Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Effects

Renal and Testicular Inflammation: Camphor can significantly increase levels of pro-inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the kidneys and testes, particularly at higher doses (2000 and 4000 mg/kg). This inflammation is mediated through the activation of NF-kB and up-regulation of markers like COX-2, RANTES, and MCP-11.

Histopathological Changes: Camphor-induced oxidative stress can lead to histopathological changes in multiple organs, including the brain, lungs, liver, kidneys, and testes1.

Blood Pressure and Cognitive Performance

Blood Pressure: In adolescents with low blood pressure, a combination of camphor and Crataegus (CCC) has been shown to significantly increase blood pressure without adverse events or subjective complaints. This suggests that camphor can affect cardiovascular parameters, although it was well-tolerated in this study2.

Cognitive Performance: No significant differences in cognitive performance were observed after the administration of CCC, indicating that camphor does not appear to impair cognitive function in the short term2.

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Disclaimer

The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

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