Phytochemical analysis, metabolism, anti-adhesive and anti-inflammatory activity of infusion from silver birch leaves (Betula pendula Roth)

Silver birch leaves (Betula pendula Roth/Betula pubescens Ehrh.) is a plant material used in the treatment of urinary tract disorders as a diurectic agent [1]. It is administered orally as infusion.

The aim of the research was to establish the phytochemical composition of infusion, evaluate its metabolism by human gut microbiota as well as the anti-adhesive and anti-inflammatory potential of raw extract and mixtures obtained after metabolism.

The infusion was analysed using UHPLC-DAD-MS. It was shown that it contains 4-hydroxyphenyl-propan-1-one-3-O-β-D-glucoside, salidroside, caffeoylquinic acid derivatives and flavonoids. The incubation of extract with gut microbiota for 24 h showed the degradation of major natural products present at the starting point. Some small molecular metabolites were detected. The anti-adhesive assays using infusion shown that it inhibits the adhesion of E. coli to blader epithelial cells (T24) in the concentration range 62.5 – 250 µg/mL. The anti-inflammatory potential of the extract and mixtures of gut microbiota metabolites was assessed using human neuthophils after the stimulation with LPS. The production of IL-8, IL-1β and TNF-α was checked by ELISA. The infusion in the concentration range 6.25 – 50 µg/ml influenced the production of cytokines. The best anti-inflammatory activity was observed for raw extract at 12.5 µg/ml. The evaluation of the anti-adhesive and anti-inflammatory potential of mixtures of metabolites didnʼt show activity. Conclusively, silver birtchʼs infusion, rich in phenolics which are metabolized by gut microbiota. The raw extract exerted both anti-inalfmmatory and anti-adhesive activity, however, the metabolism eliminates the observed bioactivity.

The research was funded by Polish National Science Centre OPUS_15 No. 2018/29/B/NZ7/01 873.

Publication History

Article published online:
12 December 2022

• Reference

• 1 European Medicines Agency. Assessment report on Betula pendula Roth and/or Betula pubescens Ehrh, as well as hybrids of both species, folium. 2014; EMA/HMPC/5: 4 – 5.