‫بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم‬

The National Ribat University

Faculty of Pharmacy
Department of Pharmacognosy

Graduation Research Proposal

Pharmacognostical and Therapeutic Profile of Mint

(Mentha spp.): A Study of Its Traditional and Modern
Uses

Submitted By:

Alaa Mohammed Ahmed Mohammed

Doaa MohamedZaki Khalifa AbdelSayed
Elaf Abdelhafiz Abdalla Nasor
Heba Mohamed Hassan Mohamed
Rawia Adam Hamid Adam
Rayan Ahmed Bashir Mohammed
Salma Eissa Mamoon Bakr

:Supervisor
Dr. Rania Saad Ahmad Babikir
B. Pharm., M.P.cognosy

2025

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 1.Introduction

Throughout history, people have often turned to natural remedies when dealing with
health problems, and plants have always played a central role in that search. Mint
( Mentha spp.) is one of the most commonly used herbs. It’s known not just for its
fresh taste and smell, but also because many believe it has important health benefits.
In many homes, mint is used in teas or simple remedies that are passed down from
older generations.
What caught our attention about mint is that it’s more than just a flavoring herb. In
traditional medicine, especially in places like the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa,
mint has been used for issues like digestion, colds, stress, and even menstrual
discomfort. This made us ask: how much of this traditional use is backed by science?
And can mint really support women’s health in a meaningful way?
This is where our research idea started. We wanted to look deeper into mint, not just
from a cultural point of view, but also through scientific evidence. The title of our
research is: Pharmacognostical and Therapeutic Profile of Mint (Mentha spp.): A
Study of Its Traditional and Modern Uses. We chose to focus on women’s health
because it’s an area that needs more attention. Women go through many health
challenges, including hormonal changes, digestive issues, and stress. We thought it
would be interesting to see if mint could help with some of these problems.
Our main research question is:
What are the pharmacognostical and therapeutic roles of mint (Mentha spp.) in
promoting women’s health, and what scientific evidence supports its traditional uses?
To answer this, we plan to look at mint from two sides. First, we’ll study its
pharmacognostical profile: how it’s classified, what parts of the plant are used, its
chemical makeup, and how these parts are thought to help in healing. Second, we’ll
review modern research and studies to see if science agrees with the traditional uses.
We’re especially interested in topics like how mint may affect menstrual pain,
digestion, sleep, and mood issues many women deal with.
During the project, we’ll try to connect traditional knowledge with scientific findings.
We’ll also point out where more research is needed. We believe this topic is important
not just because mint is well known, but also because it might offer simple and natural
ways to improve women’s health.

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By the end of our research, we hope to have a clear and honest understanding of mint,
what it can really do, how it works, and whether it deserves more attention in the
world of women’s health.

2.The research objectives for Mentha piperita (peppermint)

may include:
1.Investigating its chemical composition and pharmacological properties. 2.Evaluating
its efficacy in treating various health conditions, such as digestive issues or headaches.
3.Understanding its impact overall health and well-being.
4.Developing new products or formulations utilizing peppermint extracts,
5.Examining its effects on specific bodily systems, like the gastrointestinal or
respiratory systems.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is a widely available and abundant herb, cultivated

globally for its medicinal and commercial value. Here are some points about its
resources and abundance:
Global cultivation: Peppermint is grown in many parts of the world, with major
producers including the United States, India, and China.

3.Research Questions:
This review seeks to explore the pharmacognostical and Modern medical uses of
Mentha species.
To guide this exploration the following research questions are proposed :-
1.What are the main pharmacognostical characteristics of different Mentha species?
2.What are the traditional medicinal uses of mint across various cultures?
3.What are the key phytochemicals in mint (Mentha spp.) responsible for its
therapeutic actions?
4.Is there clinical evidence supporting the effectiveness of mint in managing specific
health conditions (IBS, anxiety, dysmenorrhea, GIT)?
5.Mint and women's health – what are the active phytochemical compounds relevant
to health?

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 4.Methodology:

This study adopts a descriptive-analytical methodology through a comprehensive

literature review aimed at gathering and examining current knowledge on Mentha
piperita (peppermint). The focus includes its roles in both traditional and modern
medicine, its phytochemical profile, and its scientifically validated pharmacological
effects.

Information was sourced from credible scientific databases such as PubMed, Science
Direct, Google Scholar, and Research Gate. Searches were conducted using specific
keywords including:
“Mentha piperita,” “peppermint,” “pharmacological effects,” “medicinal plants,”
“traditional medicine,” “essential oil,” and “biological activity.”
To ensure relevance, only studies published within the last seven years were
considered.

Study selection was guided by defined inclusion criteria:

1.Studies must present reliable data on the pharmacological properties or chemical
constituents of peppermint.
2.The focus must specifically involve Mentha piperita or closely related species.
3.Selected literature had to be supported by systematic reviews or high-quality
primary research.

Collected materials were organized under thematic categories to

facilitate analysis:
1. Traditional applications in folk medicine, especially for gastrointestinal discomfort
and headache relief.
2. Chemical analysis of peppermint essential oils, notably menthol and menthone.
3. Recent investigations into biological activities, including antimicrobial, anti-
inflammatory, and neurocalming effects.

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4. Comparative analysis of findings, highlighting consistencies or contradictions, with
discussion of possible reasons for variation.

The analysis was qualitative in nature, relying on critical interpretation and synthesis
of results rather than statistical testing. Emphasis was placed on aligning traditional
uses with modern scientific validation to assess the legitimacy of widespread
medicinal

5.Significance

5.1 Mentha piperita is a species of mint." have awide significance in

therapeutic properties, including:

 Antimicrobial & Antiviral

 Antioxidant & Antitumor
 Antiallergenic Potential
 Immunomodulatory Effects
 GI Tract Relaxation
 Analgesic & Anesthetic
 Chemo preventive
 Gastrointestinal Benefits Especially effective in relieving IBS symptoms
 Respiratory Tract Relief
 Analgesic Effects

5.2 Health Benefits of Mentha spicata Extracts and Essential

Oils:
 Antioxidant
 Anticancer
 Antiparasitic
 Antimicrobial (effective against bacteria, fungi, and parasites)

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  Antidiabetic

5.3 Mentha arvensis (field mint) is important for:

 Food flavoring
 Medicinal uses
 Essential oil production
 Traditional applications

Essential Oil Composition is Menthol is the key component, widely

used in:

 Food industry
 Cosmetics
 Pharmaceuticals
 Industrial by-products

5.4 Mentha longifolia possesses a wide range of

pharmacological effects, including:
 Antimicrobial activity
 Gastrointestinal support
 Effects on the nervous system

5.5 Mentha aquatica (water mint) essential oil is known to:

 Regulate bile function
 Serve as a stomach tonic
 Act as a disinfectant

5.6 Mentha suaveolens

 Biological Activities (Summer Sample):
 Analgesic activity
 Anti-inflammatory activity
 antioxidant effect.
 Moderate cytotoxic and hepatoprotective effects

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  Potent antifungal activity (e.g., Candida albicans: MIC = 4 μg/ml)
 Investigated the methanol extract of Mentha suaveolens leaves and stems using
in vivo and in vitro models.

Main Findings:
 CNS depressant activity
 Analgesic effect in both chemical and mechanical pain models, suggesting a
peripheral pain-relieving mechanism.
 Anti-inflammatory action
 In vitro reduction of smooth muscle contraction caused by histamine,
serotonin, and acetylcholine.

5.7 And also the importance of mint in the health of the woman
 Reduction of Androgen Levels
 (Mentha spicata) can help reduce elevated androgen levels, such as
testosterone, in women with hirsutism, a common symptom of PCOS.
 This hormonal regulation may support better menstrual cycle control and
reduce symptoms like excess facial/body hair.
 Symptom Relief in PCOS

Mint may help:

 . Reduce hair growth due to hormonal imbalance.
 Support menstrual regularity by balancing hormones.
 Relieve abdominal cramps and discomfort associated with menstruation.
 Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects
 These may help improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation linked to
PCOS.
 Additional Women’s Health Benefits
 Reduces nausea and vomiting, especially during pregnancy.
 Soothes digestive issues, such as bloating and indigestion.
 May reduce anxiety and tension through mild sedative effects of its aroma

Work plan :

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The Research will be completed over four weeks:

Activity Time

Literature Collection: Retrieval of relevant scientific articles from Week 1-2

PubMed, Science Direct, and Google
Scholar, focusing on Mentha species in
terms of pharmacognosy, phytochemistry,
and medicinal uses.

Data Extraction and Extraction of key information, weeks 3

Analysis: categorization into main themes, and
preparation of summary tables.

Writing and Discussion: Drafting the review article, including weeks 4

discussion, referencing, and final
formatting.

Budget
This is a literature-based review with no experimental work or field expenses.
No budget is required, and all references will be obtained from free or institutional
online sources.

References ::
1-McKay, D. L., & Blumberg, J. B. (2006). A review of the bioactivity and potential
health benefits of peppermint tea (Mentha piperita L.). Phytotherapy Research, 20(8),
619-633.
Alam, P., et al. (2017). Peppermint oil and its application in food, pharmaceutical, and
cosmetic industries: A review. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 29(3), 249-261.
2-Spearmint herbal tea has significant anti-androgen effects in polycystic ovarian
syndrome. A randomized controlled tria