Inhibition of Human cAMP-Phosphodiesterase as a Mechanism of the Spasmolytic Effect of Matricaria recutita L.

Abstract

Mechanisms underlying the spasmolytic activity of chamomile still remain unclear. Inhibition of cAMP- and cGMP-phosphodiesterases (PDE) is one of the mechanisms operated by spasmolytic drugs. In this study, the effect of chamomile on PDE was investigated. Human platelet cAMP-PDE and recombinant PDE5A1 were assayed in the presence of infusions prepared from sifted flowers and capitula. LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis showed different compositions in infusions made with sifted flowers and capitula. Chamomile inhibited cAMP-PDE activity (IC50 = 17.9-40.5 microg/mL), while cGMP-PDE5 was less affected (-15% at 50 microg/mL). Among the individual compounds tested, only flavonoids showed an inhibitory effect (IC50 = 1.3-14.9 microM), contributing to around 39% of the infusion inhibition; other compounds responsible for cAMP-PDE inhibition still remain unknown. Although experimental evidence supporting the use of chamomile for gastrointestinal minor spasms dates back to the fifties, cAMP-PDE inhibition as a likely mechanism underlying the spasmolytic activity is reported for the first time.

Infusion and decoction of wild German chamomile: Bioactivity and characterization of organic acids and phenolic compounds

“…This herb has been used as herbal remedies for thousands of years (Crevin, 1990). It has been used traditionally as a medicinal and pharmaceutical preparation, due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, analgesic, antibacterial, antiallergic antioxidant and mild astringent properties, and healing medicine (Maschi et al, 2008;McKay, & Blumberg, 2006;Weiss, 1988). Externally, chamomile has been used to treat diaper rash, cracked nipples, chicken pox, ear and eye infections, disorders of the eyes including blocked tear ducts, conjunctivitis, nasal inflammation and poison ivy (Srivastava, Shankar, & Gupta, 2010).…”

“…Traditionally, chamomile flowers are prepared as an infusion with water, to make an herbal tea (Harbourne, Jacquier, & O'Riordan, 2009). Recent research supports this use and shows that these properties are partly due to the phenolic content (Maschi et al, 2008;McKay, & Blumberg, 2006).…”

Puffed cereals with added chamomile – quantitative analysis of polyphenols and optimization of their extraction method

“…Flavonoids, phenolic acids, sesquiterpens and coumarins are considered to be the major bioactive compounds of this plant [13]. The consumption of chamomile as tea is rated at more than one million cups per day [14]. Due to its pharmacological activity, chamomile flowers are the most popular components added to functional food.…”

Cloning and characterization of a farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase from Matricaria recutita L. and its upregulation by methyl jasmonate

“…The essential oil of chamomile flowers has significant antiinflammatory (Jellinek, 1984;Tubaro et al, 1984;Lal et al, 1993), antiseptic (Musselman, 1996), antiphlogistic (Isaac, 1979;Jakovlev et al, 1979), and spasmolytic (Maschi et al, 2008) properties and is therefore used in pharmaceutical, perfume, cosmetics, aromatherapy, and food industries (Lal et al, 1993). To evaluate the pharmaceutical value, analysis of essential oil and extracts from the flowers of M. recutita revealed the high presence of sesquiterpene derivatives (75-90%) including (E)-β-farnesene (4.9-8.1%), terpene alcohol (farnesol), chamazulene (2.3-10.9%), α-bisabolol (4.8-11.3%), and α-bisabolol oxides A (25.5-28.7%) as well as α-bisabolol oxides B (12.2-30.9%) (Pothke and Bulin, 1969;Isaac, 1979;Gasic et al, 1983;Schilcher et al, 2005) and these components are known for their antiinflammatory, antiseptic, antiphlogistic, and spasmolytic properties.…”