TITLE OF MONOGRAPH

Cinnamomum camphora
SUBJECT
Pharmacognosy
Submitted By:
Dyar Mudhafar Salman
Group -A-

ASSIGNMENT SUBMITTED TO
Dr. Javid Ahamad
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacognosy
FACULTY OF PHARMACY
TISHK INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
ERBIL, KURDISTAN REGION, IRAQ
2019-2020

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Camphor:

Synonym
Gum Camphor; Japan Camphor; Formosa camphor; Laurel camphor; 1,7,7
Trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one; 2-bornanone; 2-oxobornane.

Biological Source
Camphor is a dextrorotatory solid ketone C10H16O, obtained from the volatile oil of Cinnamomum
camphora (L.) Nees et Eber or obtained from the wood of Cinnamomum camphora, belonging to
family Lauraceae It occurs in all parts of the camphor tree, Cinnamonum camphora. T. Nees &
Ebermeier. Synthetic camphor, which is optically inactive, is prepared from turpentine and would
probably have completely replaced the natural product.

Habitat
The word camphora is derived from the Arabic Kafur, meaning chalk. The camphor tree, which is a
huge evergreen plant, is found to be indigenous to Japan, China and Taiwan. The plant is a big tree
native to Eastern Asia, it is found widely in Mediterranean region, Sri Lanka, Egypt, South Africa,
Java, Sumatra, Brazil, Jamaica, Florida, Formosa, Japan, South China, India, and California. In India,
the tree is planted in gardens up to 1,300 m height in the Northwest Himalayas. It is successfully
cultivated at Dehradun, Saharanpur, Calcutta, Nilgiris, and Mysore.

History
Camphor has a long history of herbal use in the Orient with a wide range of uses. It has occasionally
been used internally in the treatment of hysteria, history reveals that Borneo camphor (from Borneol)
arrived in Arabia in the sixth century and in Europe in the twelfth century. Earlier, the world’s 80%
supply of natural camphor was provided by Taiwan (Formosa) alone and the rest 20% by Japan and
Southern China. Soon after the second World War (1945) the commercial production of synthetic
camphor has more or less catered for the ever-increasing demand of camphor in the world market.

Cultivation, collection, processing for market

Cinnamomum camphora would grow in Indian climatic conditions, it need not yield camphor at
commercially viable levels. The new species can grow up to 8 meters in the dense wet evergreen
forests of the Ghats at an altitude between 500m and 1400m, it prefers fertile sandy soil; it will
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tolerate a pH anywhere in the range of 4.3-8. It will grow in full sun or part shade. Camphor does
not do well in wet soils. Established trees are tolerant of drought. It is one of the ingredients of the
preparations known as Ophthacare, Pilex, Rumalaya (Himalaya Drug Company) and Dabur balm
(Dabur). The extraction method of flavonoid in Cinnamomum camphora leaves was studied with
different ways. The optimum extracting process was put forward. The results showed that the
optimum extracting technical process was 60% alcohol. Landscape Uses: Pest tolerant, Aggressive
surface roots possible, Street tree. Succeeds in most soilsbut prefers a fertile sandy moisture-
retentive well-drained soil in full sun or light part-day shade. Camphor is grown commercially in
China and Japan as a medicinal tree and also for its essential oil. It is only hardy in the milder areas
of Britain, though it can survive occasional lows down to about -10°c when fully dormant. The
young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in
a position sheltered from the early morning sun. There are various large trees that are growing well
in Cornwall. A very slow growing tree. The roots are very sensitive to disturbance. There are some
named varieties, selected for their ornamental value. Special Features: Fragrant foliage, Not North
American native, Invasive, Naturalizing, Attracts butterflies, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.
Cinnamomum camphora is cultivated for camphor and timber production. The production and
shipment of camphor, in a solid, waxy form, was a major industry in Taiwan prior to and during the
Japanese colonial era (1895–1945). Camphor-Tree is subject to a root rot, especially in poorly-
drained soils.

Preparation
Old trees possess high concentration of Camphor. The small wood chips are treated with steam.
Camphor is sublimed and liquid volatile oil passed away into the receiver. Excess of Camphor is
obtained from the volatile oil. Camphor is purified by treating it with lime and charcoal and
resublimation into large chambers to form flowers of camphor. The collected Camphor is made into
blocks by hydraulic pressure. The specific rotation of natural camphor is +41° to +43°. The synthetic
camphor is optically inactive. The best yield of camphor is obtained from old trees, the volatile oil is
treated to yield more camphor and much of the residual camphor oil is used as a source of safrole.
The impure camphor is treated with lime and charcoal and resublimed into large chambers. It collects
in the form of ‘flowers of camphor’, which can be made into the familiar blocks by hydraulic pressure.
Camphor can also be prepared from suitable leaves of the tree and their use is helping to reduce the
complete destruction of camphor tree forests. Synthetic camphor is largely prepared from American
turpentine. By the action of hydrogen chloride, the pinene is converted into bornyl chloride which, on
treatment with sodium acetate, yields isobornyl acetate. Hydrolysis of this is to isoborneol and
subsequent oxidation gives camphor. The crude solidified camphor is purified by mixing it with a
suitable proportion of soda lime, sand and charcoal; and subjecting the mass to sublimation at
controlled temperature when pure crystals of camphor would be collected as a sublimate. It is finally
compressed into either small cubes or thin plates, wrapped and exported. Camphor from Volatile Oils
It may be prepared from volatile oils by two simple methods, namely:
Method-I in case, the oil contains a substantially large proportion of camphor, it may be separated
by deep freezing or sudden chilling; and if the camphor content in oil is not so much it is mostly
fractionated and the camphor containing fraction is chilled to recover camphor.
Method-II Camphor may be recovered from volatile oils by the instant production of insoluble
complexes with strong mineral acids eg; sulphuric acid 80% (30N). Synthetic Camphor (or Borneol

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Camphor) The camphor is obtained commercially from α- pinene present in the turpentine oil through
several steps sequentially e.g., treatment with HCl, isomerization, treatment with KOH and finally
oxidation with HNO3 as given below:

Description:

Morphology
Natural Camphor is colorless translucent mass with crystalline fracture, rhombohedral crystals from
alcohol, cubic crystals by-melting and chilling. Odor is characteristic, and taste is pungent and
aromatic which is followed by cold sensation. Leaves are glabrous, sub- coriaceous, ovate-elliptic to
elliptic to sub-ovate-elliptic, inflorescence is in axillary, slender, glabrous and many flowered
panicles. The fruits are one-seeded berries, globose, slightly fleshy, seated on a shallow, thin cup,
turning black when ripe.
Height: 40 to 50 feet
Spread: 50 to 70 feet
Crown uniformity: symmetrical canopy with a
regular (or smooth) outline, and individuals have more
or less identical crown forms
Crown shape: round
Crown density: dense
Growth rate: fast
Texture: medium
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: alternate (Fig. 3)
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: obovate; ovate
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: broadleaf evergreen;
evergreen; fragrant
Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: no fall color change
Fall characteristic: not showy
Flower
Flower color: yellow
Flower characteristics: inconspicuous and not
showy; spring flowering
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Fruit
Fruit shape: round
Fruit length: < .5 inch
Fruit covering: fleshy
Fruit color: black
Fruit characteristics: attracts birds; attracts squirrels
and other mammals; inconspicuous and not showy;
fruit, twigs, or foliage cause significant litter
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: droop as the tree grows, and
will require pruning for vehicular or pedestrian
clearance beneath the canopy; showy trunk; should be
grown with a single leader; no thorns
Pruning requirement: requires pruning to develop
strong structure
Breakage: resistant Powder form of Camphor
Current year twig color: green
Current year twig thickness: medium; thin

Microscopic
Cross section of a leaf of Cinnamomum camphora viewed by light microscopy shows two vascular
bundles enclosed by sclerenchymatic bundle sheaths. Bundle sheath extensions reaching the

A B

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epidermis on both sides of the leaf produce a mesophyll compartment. (B) Because every vein is
surrounded by a sclerenchymatic strand, the leaf is highly septate. Scale bars are 100 µm (A) and 500
µm (B).

Chemical constituents
Chemical composition of the essential oil of Cinnamomum camphora leaves. The main constituents
of C. camphora leaves essential oil were -camphor (40.54%), linalool (22.92%), cineole (11.26%),
and 3,7,11-trimethyl-3-hydroxy-6,10-dodecadien-1-yl acetate (4.50%). Camphor oil contains
camphor, cineole, pinene, camphene, phellandrene, limonene, and diterpenes. Camphor is entirely a
monoterpenic ketone. Its basic carbon framework is related to bofneol. Camphor is a bycyclic
terpenoid ketone as given below:

In the presence of platinum black, it undergoes hydrogen at ambient temperature giving rise to
isoborneol as the major product and traces of borneol. Camphor is a cyclic monoterpene ketone that

is bornane bearing an oxo substituent at position 2. A naturally occurring monoterpenoid. It has a role
as a plant metabolite. It is a bornane monoterpenoid and a cyclic monoterpene ketone. Its prolonged
hydrogenation often yields camphene.

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Qualitative standards
Tests for identity and purity of natural camphor are important to eliminate synthetic racemic material,
excess camphor oil, and camphors from inappropriate natural sources. These tests include melting
point (175–179°C), specific optical rotation (+40.0 to +43.0), acidity and limit of halogens
(particularly chlorides arising from the synthesis of racemic camphor), gas chromatographic detection
of extraneous material arising from the synthesis of camphor and other sources including α- and β-
pinene, cineole, fenchone, fenchol and borneol.

Chemical Test for Camphor

Distinction between Natural Camphor and Synthetic: Camphor A drop of freshly prepared vanillin
solution (1: 100 in dilute HCl) and sulphuric acid when added to powdered natural camphor, it gives
rise to an instant yellow colouration changing to red, violet and finaly blue. The synthetic camphor
fails to respond to this test and gives a distinct bright smoky flame.

TLC Identify Test

Dissolve 1 mg of camphor in 1 ml of methanol. Apply the spots over silica gel-G plate and elute it
in benzene–ethyl acetate–glacial acetic acid (90:5:5). Spray the dried TLC plate with 1% vanillin
sulphuric acid reagent and heat at 110°C for 10 min. Camphor gives the spot with Rf value 0.33.
GC Test
Gas chromatography analysis was carried out using a GC apparatus, using GC14A from Shimadzu
equipped with a flame ionization detector. A thermon-600T fused silica (50m X 0.25 mmID: film
thickness o.25µm) capillary column 25m to 60m long and about 0.3mm in internal diameter coated
with macrogol 20,000 was used. The carrier gas was nitrogen at flow rate of 2ml/min; both the
injection and detector temperatures fixed at 250°C. The oven temperature was kept at 70°C for 10
min., programmed to rise up to 180°C at a rate of 2°C/min., and then kept constant at 180°C for 30
min. The essential oil components were identified by comparing their relation times with those of
authentic samples has been found superimposed.
Test Solution
100mg per ml in alcohol
Standard Solution
Certified reference material, 2000 μg/mL in methanol, packaged into ampule of 1 mL
Solvent System
benzene–ethyl acetate–glacial acetic acid (90:5:5)
Procedure
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Camphor oil is obtained by steam distillation of the wood of camphor tree C. camphor. The main
constituent of the crude oil is camphor up to about 50%, which can be separated by cooling and
centrifugation. Fractionation of mother liquor gives two types of oils. The first known as white
camphor oil is the first distillation fraction with cineol like odor, containing 35% of cineol. The brown
camphor oil is a fraction with a higher boiling range than that of camphor.
Visualization
It is a pale-yellow liquid containing about 80% of safrol. The production of natural camphor and
camphor oils was formerly several thousands of tons per year but has declined as a result of the
production of synthetic camphor.
Evaluation
Camphor gives the spot with Rf value 0.33
Assay / Analytical Methods
Transfer 2.0 mL of Camphor Spirit to a suitable pressure bottle containing 50 mL of freshly prepared
dinitrophenylhydrazine TS. Close the pressure bottle, immerse it in a water bath, and maintain at
about 75 for 16 hours. Cool to room temperature, and transfer the contents to a beaker with the aid of
100 mL of 3 N sulfuric acid. Allow to stand at room temperature for not less than 12 hours, transfer
the precipitate to a tared filter crucible, and wash with 100 mL of 3N sulfuric acid followed by 75 mL
of cold water in divided portions. Continue the suction until the excess water is removed, dry the
crucible and precipitate at 80° for 2 hours, cool, and weigh. The weight of the precipitate so obtained,
multiplied by 0.4581, represents the weight of C10H160 in the specimen taken.
Quantitative standard
Foreign matter: Not more than 2.0 percent
Ash: Not more than 8 percent
Acid-insoluble ash: Not more than 3 per cent.
Alcohol-soluble extractive: Cold extraction not less than 41 percent, hot extraction not less than 4
percent
Water-soluble extractive: Not less than 6 percent.
Volatile oil: Not less than 15 per cent v/w
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water (1:600), soluble in alcohol, ether, benzene, acetone, oil of
turpentine, glacial acetic acid, chloroform, carbon disulphide, solvent naphtha and fixed and volatile
oils. Also soluble in aniline, nitrobenzene, tetralin, decalin, methylhexalin, petroleum ether, higher
alcohols, concentrated mineral acids, phenol, liquid ammonia and liquid sulphur dioxide.
Flammability: Moderate
Boiling point: 204°C
Melting Point: 178-182 °C
Density: d=0.992 25°C/4°C
Relative vapor density: 5.24
Flash point: 150°F (65.5°C)
Autoignition temperature: 871°F (466°C)
Vapor density: 5.24 (vs air)
Vapor pressure: 4 mmHg (70 °C)
Specific gravity: is 0.875 - 0.90
Refractive index: 1.465 to 1.470 and
Optical rotation: + 9° to + 27°

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Adulterants / Substitutes
Camphor (synthetic) may be added to lavandin oils or synthetic linalool, linalyl acetate etc. It is also
cut with Spanish sage oil, rosemary oil, lavandin oils, eucalyptus oils or their fractions; also, terpineol
production fractions, Chinese camphor oil fractions, etc. Formerly adulteration used to be with oil of
turpentine, often mixed with coconut oil, but this has given place to various artificial esters prepared
chemically, which are practically odorless and only added to make the oil appear to have a higher
ester percentage than it really has. Borneo camphor, obtained from Dryobalanops aromatica
(Dipterocarpaceae), and Ngai camphor, obtained from Blumea balsamifera (Asteraceae), are used in
China and Japan. In California levorotatory camphor is produced from species of Artemisia
(Asteraceae).

Pharmacology
Camphor acts as a counter-irritant, rubefacient and mild analgesic and is included in liniments for
relief of fibrositis, neuralgia and similar conditions. By ingestion camphor has irritant and carminative
properties and has been used as a mild expectorant and to relieve griping. Camphor has been used as
a circulatory and respiratory stimulant (as a solution in oil given subcutaneously or intramuscularly),
this use is considered hazardous. It has been used in combination with menthol and chenodeoxycholic
acid to aid dispersal of bile duct stones, although this is no longer recommended, It is important not
to apply camphor to broken skin, because it can enter the body quickly and reach concentrations that
are high enough to cause poisoning, Camphor seems to stimulate nerve endings that relieve symptoms
such as pain and itching when applied to the skin. Camphor is also active against fungi that cause
infections in the toenails.
1. It is used as a topical antipruritic in concentrations ranging between 0.1 to 0.3%
2. It is mostly used as a counterirritant (11%) particularly for fibrositis and neuralgia associated
with inflamed joints, sprains and other inflammatory manifestations.
3. It is also employed as antipyretic, antiseptic, antifungal and carminative agent.
4. It is employed as a safe and effective measure for reducing cough when applied externally, in
the form of an ointment, on the chest and throat of children.
5. It exerts its stimulant, rubefacient, antispasmodic and analgesic activities.
6. It stimulates the nerve endings in the skin and causes substantial relief of pain due to the masking
of deeper visceral pain with a milder pain arising from the skin at the same level of innervation
Mechanism of Action
TRPV3 cation channels are molecular sensors that play a role in nociception and thermosensation by
inducing thermal sensation and heat-induced hyperalgesia. Camphor interacts with TRPV3 channels
via pore-region cysteine residues, leading to channel activation and a rise in intracellular calcium
levels. Camphor also activates TRPV1 and a TRPV1-like current in dorsal root ganglion (DRG)
neurons but inhibits the ankyrin-repeat TRP 1 (TRPA1) channel expressed in most nociceptive DRG
neurons, which is responsible for the detection of temperature. The precise role of TRPA1 current
inhibition on the analgesic properties of camphor is unclear. Repeated stimulation by camphor leads
to sensitization of the TRPV1 and TRPV3 channels, resulting in desensitization, or reduced channel
response that likely leads to the analgesic effects of camphor. Camphor also activates cold-sensitive
transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) and sensitizes cold-induced calcium transients,
which explains the cooling effect of camphor following dermal application. Additionally, camphor
was shown to inhibit the TRPM8 receptor response to menthol.
Major Therapeutic Claims
Analgesic, antitussive (anti-cough)
Other Uses
The essential oil 'camphor' is obtained from the leaves and twigs. It is extracted commercially by
passing a current of steam through the wood chips, 30 kilos of wood yielding 1 kilo of camphor.
Camphor is used medicinally, in perfumes, as an insecticide and also to make celluloid and as a wood
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preservative. It can also be put in shoes to cure perspiring feet (probably by acting as a deodorant
rather than preventing perspiration). The wood has been burnt as a fumigant during epidemics. Wood
- beautifully grained, light brownish, takes a good polish. It is used for making furniture, cabinets, the
interior finish of buildings etc.

Clinical Studies
Camphor was administered to rabbits and mice, to examine the changes (if any) occurring in their
brain as a result, and to see if barbiturates had a protective effect. All rabbits administered
camphorated oil via oral tube developed convulsions within 5-40 minutes of administration, with
convulsions occurring later in those receiving the lower doses. The animals who died had intermittent
convulsions up to the time of death, those which recovered stopped convulsing by 4 hours post-
ingestion. Mice were administered camphor by intraperitoneal (IP) injection, and again, convulsions
occurred. On post-mortem examination, the rabbit brains showed no significant changes, but some of
the mice had necrosis of neurons in the brain stem, basal ganglia, medulla, hippocampus and cerebral
cortex. The experiment was repeated in mice, the test group being given camphor and pentobarbitone
IP and the controls camphor alone. The animals given camphor and pentobarbitone all became
stuporose within 10 minutes, but recovered within about 1.5 hours and developed no convulsions,
whereas the control group all developed convulsions, and 7/10 died. The mice who had received
pentobarbitone as well as camphor showed no cerebral changes when examined after death.

Toxicity
It is an UNSAFE practice, some people take camphor by mouth to help them cough up phlegm, treat
infections of the airway, treat intestinal gas (flatulence), and decrease body weight. Experts warn
against doing this because, when ingested, camphor can cause serious side effects, even death.
Camphor in large doses is toxic. Toxicity symptoms include headache, nausea, excitement, confusion
and delirium. Camphor also affects the central nervous system and is toxic to humans. Toxicity
symptoms in adults have been noted after use of as little as 2 grams.
Safety Aspects
Camphor and camphor containing products should be avoided in children who have a history of febrile
convulsions or other predisposing factors for convulsions. Abuse of camphor for its stimulant
properties has been reported.
Dose
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

APPLIED TO THE SKIN:

• For pruritis and pain: A 3% to 11% ointment is typically used three to four times daily.
• For cough: A thick layer of 4.7% to 5.3% camphor ointment is applied to the throat and chest.
The area may be covered with a warm, dry cloth or left uncovered.
• For osteoarthritis: A topical cream containing camphor (32 mg/g), glucosamine sulfate (30
mg/g), and chondroitin sulfate (50 mg/g) as needed on sore joints for up to 8 weeks.

INHALATION:

• One tablespoon of solution per quart of water is placed directly into a hot steam vaporizer,
bowl, or washbasin. Sometimes 1.5 teaspoons of solution are added to a pint of water and
boiled. The medicated vapors are breathed. This inhalation may be repeated up to three times
a day.

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References
1. Textbook of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 1st Edition Biren Shah; Cinnamomum
camphora, 294, 419.
2. Pharmacognosy and Pharmacobiotechnology by Ashutosh Kar; 219; 5.2.1.1
3. Trease and Evans Pharmacognosy. 14th edn. Edinburg London New York Philadelphia
4. St Lois Sydney Toronoto; C. camphora, 91, 110, 266, 286
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