Studies on the Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Phytopharmaceuticals Prepared from Arnica Flowers1

Abstract

Phytopharmaceuticals prepared from flowerheads of Arnica montana of Spanish origin and of the new type "Arbo", which can be easily and economically cultivated, were studied for their capability to impair activation of the transcription factors NF-kappa B and NF-AT. Both proteins are responsible for the transcription of genes encoding various inflammatory mediators. Additionally, their influence on the release of the cytokines IL-1 and TNF-alpha were examined. The inhibitory activities correlate with their quantitative and qualitative content of sesquiterpene lactones (Sls). Moreover, it was shown that the inhibitory potency of 11 alpha,13-dihydrohelenalin derivatives being the main Sls in the Spanish flowers depend on their esterfication. Compounds with unsaturated acyl moieties, such as methacrylate and tiglinate, exhibited a stronger activity in the NF-kappa B EMSA as well as in the croton oil ear test in mice than the acetate derivative.

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used in Zacatecas state, Mexico

“…are recommended and used by the health professionals in Mexico, due to the wide medicinal effect against many diseases in respiratory and gastrointestinal system (e.g., [18,38]). The medicinal use of A. montana L. has been confirmed to be efficacious for the treatment of bruising, injuries, rheumatism, fractures, inflammation in the throat and muscles, and insect bites, as well as accelerating postoperative healing and preventing skin fungal infections [39,40]. The plant is also used to inhibit root rot fungi (Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani, and Macrophomina phaseolina) in seeds [41].…”

Influence of growing conditions on morphological and chemical properties and biological effects of extracts of Arnica montana L.

“…Mikromolarne koncentracije helenalina, dihidrohelenalina i njihovih estara, inhibiraju aktivaciju transkripcionih faktora NF-κB i NF-AT (Lyss et al, 1999;Tornhamre et al, 2001;Klaas et al, 2002) (Slika 10). Transkripcioni faktor NF-κB uzrokuje ekspresiju više od 150 gena kao reakciju na zapaljenje, bakterijske i virusne procese.…”

“…6,44 ± 0,15 Douglas et al, 2002~ 8,54 Seemann et al, 20105,9 -11,0 Staneva et al, 2011~ 9,5 Spitaler et al, 20067,96 -12,95 Seeber et al, 19977,5 -13,4 Bomme, 1999 Od (Perry et al, 2009). Tinkrura arnike sa većim sadržajem helenalina se u nekoliko antiinflamatornih studija pokayala aktivnijom od tinkture sa visokim sadržajem dihidrohelenalina (Klaas et al, 2002).…”

Pflanzliche Sekundärstoffe: Ethnobotanische Überlegungen zu ihrer Bedeutung für die menschliche Ernährung und die Medizin - Teil 3: Gemüse, Gewürze und Arzneipflanzen als Quelle wertvoller Sekundärstoffe

“…Die (für Botaniker allerdings nur entfernte) Ähnlichkeit ihrer Blüten hat die Heilkundigen wohl dazu bewogen, Arnika ähnlich wie die Ringelblume zur Wundheilung einzusetzen, und das überraschenderweise mit guten Resultaten. Seit dem Mittelalter werden beide Pflanzen als gleichwertige Wundheilmittel empfohlen [21]. …”