Antimicrobial, Antiviral and Immunomodulatory Activity Studies of Pelargonium sidoides (EPs® 7630) in the Context of Health Promotion

Abstract

Pelargonium species contribute significantly to the health care of a large population in the Southern African region, as part of a long-standing medical system intimately linked to traditional healing practices. Most notably, extracts of the roots of P. sidoides have commonly been applied for the treatment of dysentery and diarrhoea but only occasionally for respiratory complaints. Clinical trials have shown that a modern aqueous-ethanolic formulation of P. sidoides extracts (EPs® 7630) is an efficacious treatment for disorders of the respiratory tract, for example bronchitis and sinusitis. It should be noted that EPs® 7630 is the most widely investigated extract and therefore is the focus of this review. In order to provide a rationale for its therapeutic activity extracts have been evaluated for antibacterial activity and for their effects on non-specific immune functions. Only moderate direct antibacterial capabilities against a spectrum of bacteria, including Mycobacteria strains, have been noted. In contrast, a large body of in vitro studies has provided convincing evidence for an anti-infective principle associated with activation of the non-specific immune system. Interestingly, significant inhibition of interaction between bacteria and host cells, a key to the pathogenesis of respiratory tract infections, has emerged from recent studies. In addition, antiviral effects have been demonstrated, including inhibition of the replication of respiratory viruses and the enzymes haemagglutinin and neuraminidase. Besides, an increase of cilliary beat frequency of respiratory cells may contribute to the beneficial effects of P. sidoides extracts. This example provides a compelling argument for continuing the exploration of Nature and traditional medical systems as a source of therapeutically useful herbal medicines.

Commercially Important Medicinal Plants of South Africa: A Review

“…e taxonomic classi�cation of Pelargonium species is noted with some difficulty hence the numerous revisions in the past. Nonetheless, the genus Pelargonium is highly esteemed by traditional healers for its therapeutic and palliative effects in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders [120]. Pelargonium sidoides DC.…”

“…Although a modern aqueous-ethanolic formulation of P. sidoides extracts (EPs 7630) is an efficacious treatment for disorders of the respiratory tract, the traditional uses mainly involve disorders of the gastrointestinal tract [120,122]. e �eshy, bright red rhizomes or tubers of P. sidoides are used predominantly to treat diarrhoea and dysentery [15,122].…”

Bioassays for Bioactivity Screening

“…This regulation is a normalization process, so that immunomodulators help in optimizing the immune response. These are biological response modifiers; they exert their effects by improving host defense mechanisms against diseases [48] (Figure 5.4 has been taken from [49]). Enhancement or suppression of immune responses through compounds can depend on a number of factors, such as including dose, route of administration, and timing of administration of the compound in question.…”

Toxicological implications and laxative potential of ethanol root extract ofMorella serratain loperamide-induced constipated Wistar rats

“…There is little information in literature on the laxative potential of medicinal plants from South African origin, particularly those from the eastern Free State Province. The only available information is based on ethnobotanical surveys (Appidi et al 2008;Bisi-Johnson et al 2010;de Wet et al 2010;Madikizela et al 2012;Semenya & Maroyi 2012) or antibacterial results (Kolodziej 2011) but not the in vivo confirmation of the laxative potential of these species in animal model.…”