What is Cilantro?
Cilantro, scientifically known as Coriandrum sativum, belongs to the family Apiaceae that contains 3700 species such as carrots, parsley, and celery. Though every part of the plant is consumable, people mostly prefer fresh leaves in cooking. It is a rich source of antioxidants and has been an ingredient of global cuisine for long. In the United Kingdom, the cilantro leaves are called coriander and seeds are called cilantro. Most significantly, cilantro can be used as a medication for inflammation and pain. It is one of the herbs whose underlying mechanisms of work are yet to be known.
Mechanism of Cilantro works
As per a recent study published in the FASEB journal, the molecular mechanism of cilantro can probably be used for antiepileptic and other therapeutic activities. Voltage-gated potassium sodium channel subfamily Q (KCNQ) dysfunction may result in severe epileptic encephalopathies that have rare treatments. Studies reveal that one long fatty acid aldehyde called “dodecanal” triggers the so-called KCNQ, subsequently interrupting the pentylene tetrazole-induced seizures. The dodecanal binds to a particular part of the potassium channel to open them and reduce cellular excitability. Therefore, this could be used as an efficient and safer drug.
What would be the favors of cilantro?
This innovation is significant as it might escort effectual use of cilantro as an anticonvulsant, or could also be modified to duodenal to expand safer and more effective anticonvulsant drugs. That would greatly help for the advancement of the pharmaceutical industry.
Conclusion
The use of folk medicines has been there for years as per the recorded history of humans. DNA proofs 48000 years back implies the use of plants for medicinal purposes by Homo neanderthalensis. However, at present, these folk medicines are preferred not only for clinical purposes but also for food flavoring. Apart from this, cilantro has also been widely used for its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer as well as analgesic effects. All in all, unlike typical medicine, it tastes good!