Arnica sp. infusions and tinctures play a great role in the traditional and contemporary medicine. Seeds of plantation-grown Arnica montana L. (AM) and Arnica chamissonis var. foliosa Less. (AC ) are a good source of bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids and flavonoids. In both studied genera higher levels of phenolic acids and flavonoids were detected in water extracts. Regardless of plant genus, predominant fractions of phenolics were determined in seeds, comprising chlorogenic, caffeic acid, quercetin and kaempferol. All samples show high antioxidant activity, however, their levels depend on the extraction procedure and used material. The free radicals were scavenged most effectively by extracts of AC seeds (30.3% – SASA, 31.3% – DPPH and 39.8% – ABTS, respectively). It should be noted that lipid peroxidation was strongly inhibited by both studied tinctures. It is noteworthy that studied samples show positive correlations between inhibition of lipid peroxidation ability and total flavonoids and phenolic acids content (r=0.89 and r=0.83, respectively). Results obtained from this study show that Arnica seeds extract, either alone or in combination with other active principles, can be used in cosmetic, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.
Arnica chamissonis (AC) was a good source of total phenolics, phenolic acids and flavonoids. Irrespective of raw material the highest reducing powers were observed in AC infusions, whereas the highest chelating power (about 100%) was stated in the rhizomes of AC. Free radicals were the most effectively scavenged by extracts of AC flower heads and herb (about 60% – SASA and 90% – ABTS , respectively). Lipid peroxidation was strongly inhibited by flower heads infusion of both Arnica genera and herb infusions of Arnica montana (AM) – about 100%. Positive correlations between ABTS +. and O2 - radical scavenging properties, reducing power and total phenolics content (r=0.97, r=0.79, r=0.83, and r=0.50, respectively), flavonoids content (r=0.92, r=0.77, r=0.66, and r=0.51, respectively) and phenolic acids content (r=0.86, r=0.94 and r=0. 75, respectively) were found. In addition, inhibition of lipid peroxidation was correlated with total phenolics and flavonoids contents (r=0.50, r=0.51, respectively).
Preparations of Arnica have been used for treatment of post-trauma effects and inflammatory diseases. The aim of the study was to determine and compare the antioxidant activities and in vitro lipoxygenase (LOX) and xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity of different parts of A. montana (AM) and A. chamissonis (AC) with reference to the polyphenolic compounds content. Based on IC50 values could be concluded that active compounds of AM acted mainly as a XO inhibitors while LOX was more effective inhibited by AC samples. The highest antiradical activity was observed in the cases of AM flower heads and AC herbs tincture. All studied materials exhibited high chelating power (with IC50 ranged from 10.96 to 11.84 mg/ml) and ability to inhibition of lipid peroxidation (IC50 ranged from 10.00 to 15.09 mg/ml). Arnica tinctures possess high antioxidant abilities and XO and LOX inhibitory activity that might be helpful in preventing or slowing the progress of free radical dependent diseases. Additionally, results clearly showed that A. chamissonis might be a valuable herbal raw material.
As a consequence of ageing of populations and increase of life expectancy a growing interest in searching novel, safe and effective food preparations, plant origin dietary supplements or plant derived drugs, containing numerous substances that may counteract the emergence of age related disorders is observed. A clearly visible example of searching abovementioned herbal preparations is a growing interest among men suffering for urogenital disorders on preparations based in herbal plants such as: Serrenoa repens, Pygeum africanum, Urtica dioica, Cucurbita pepo, Hypoxis rooperi, Secale cereale, Zea mays. In recent years dietary supplements based on Epilobium genus representatives became very popular among patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and suffering for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). For the confirmation or justification of the use of preparations based on Epilobium sp. in folk medicine or diet supplementation we summarized the current knowledge on biological activities of herbal extracts and oils derived from this genus and variations of phytochemical compositions. The literature analysis reveals that herb was the substance most often subjected to phytochemical analysis (leaves or stems), the next one was seed oil of Epilobiium sp. representatives. In extracts from herb flavonoids (flavonol 3-O-glycosides based on kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin or guaiaverin aglycones), tannins (macrocyclic ellagitannins – oenothein A and B) and trace amounts of sterols as well as fatty acids were identified, while in extracts from seed oil sterols (β-sitosterol, kaempesterol, stigmasterol and brassicasterol) and fatty acids (mainly stearic, palmitic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic and caproic) were most often present. The conclusions of this paper may be helpful in further extensive research concerning the evaluation the effectiveness and safety of preparations based on the basis of Epilobium sp. and Onagraceae family representatives. A knowledge of bioactive compounds in Epilobium sp. could be especially needed in designing new, safe and effective formulations of nutriceuticals and phytotherapeutics containing medicinal parts of these plants.
The understanding of the pharmacokinetic properties of synthetic drugs as well as herbal preparations used in treatment of many diseases offers a real opportunity to eliminate or minimize the interaction between the active substances. This is of particular clinical importance because it can decrease or increase the action of drugs what is the major cause of failure of pharmacotherapy. Understanding the molecular basis of interaction of substances with enzymes of drug metabolism is extremely helpful in treatment planning and its practical application. The experimental and clinical studies aimed to complete the characterization of the mechanisms of many factors that modulate the activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes, can provide a lot of evidence guaranteeing the safety of herbal products.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease affecting aging males. In recent years, as alternative strategy for the prevention and therapy of BPH, there is an growing interest in usage of plant derived remedies i.e. from Serenoa repens (sabal palm) and some plants from the Epilobium genus. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of standardized Epilobium angustifolium L. and Serenoa repens extracts on expression level of CYP3A1 and CYP2D2 mRNAs in rats. Testosterone and standardized Epilobium angustifolium or commercial Serenoa repens extracts were given for 21 days to castrated male Wistar rats. The levels of CYP2D2 and CYP3A1 mRNAs expression were analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR using specific target primers. We have observed a slightly increased level of CYP2D2 mRNA in animals treated with testosterone and both plant extracts (by 4.6% in rats receiving Epilobium angustifolium extract and by 25.29% in animals treated with extract from Serenoa repens) and the CYP3A1 mRNA level by 11.02% in rats treated with Serenoa repens extract. In rats receiving E. angustifolium extract a 20.22% decrease of CYP3A1 mRNA expression level was observed. Results from our work showed that standardized plant extracts from Epilobium angustifolium and Serenoa repens have differentially influenced on CYP3A1 and CYP2D2 mRNA expression level in a rat liver.
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