Star Anise- Key Component of Tamiflu

Star Anise

Botanical Name: Illicuim verum (HOOK, F.)
Family Name: N.O. Magnoliaceae

Introduction:
Star Anise (Also known as Chinese Anise/Aniseed Stars/Badiana/Pimpinella anisum), has it's name derived from the stellate form of its fruit. It is a native plant typically used to flavor food and often chewed in small quantities after each meal to promote digestion and thus sweeten the breath.

In Later half of the year, 2005, Roche has synthesized and revealed Star Anise, as an active agent of bird flu medicine, Tamiflu (the drug used to treat the deadly H5N1 virus.)

According to the scientists, star anise is used to extract shikimic acid, is the industrial key ingredient in oseltamivir phosphate, as the antiviral drug is generically known.

Shape: Star anise fruit is a star-shaped, dark brown pod that contains a pea-sized seed in each of its eight segments. It is a commonly used spice and tea flavoring in Asian cuisine, and widely used to flavor liqueurs and baked goods in Western cultures.

Uses: Star Anise acts as a Carminative, stimulant and diuretic, agent as well and also for indigestion, facial paralysis, arthritis, and intestinal cramps. With the exception of cramps, however, its effectiveness for these problems remains unverified. The fruit is used in the East as a remedy for colic and rheumatism, and in China for seasoning dishes, especially sweets. The Japanese plant the tree in their temples and on tombs; and use the pounded bark as incense. The homoeopaths prepare a tincture from the seeds.

Configuration: Scientists have found out a process of extracting shikimic acid, a key material to synthesize Oseltamivir phosphate, from anise fruit. One gram of Oseltamivir phosphate is made from some 2 grams of shikimic acid.

Shortage of Tamiflu in 2005: The world wide shortage of star anise was one of the key reasons for the shortage of Tamiflu. Star anise is primarliry grown in four provinces in China and harvested between March and May. The shikimic acid is extracted from the seeds in a ten-stage manufacturing process which takes about a year. Reports say 90% of the harvest is already used by the Swiss pharmaceutical manufacturer Roche in making Tamiflu, but other reports say there is an abundance of the spice in the main regions - Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan.

Possible Side Effects:

• Star Anise poses no known risks when taken at customary dosage levels.
• There is a slight possibility that you could develop an allergic sensitivity to the herb.
• Do not take Star Anise without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. It is also not known whether Star Anise passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. So, do not take Star Anise without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.