Mechanisms of action of a multi-component herbal preparation in inflammatory bowel disease: anti-inflammatory activity

Weleda Amara oral drops is traditionally used for treatment of gastrointestinal dysmotility disorders and contains an herbal multi-component preparation (MCP), i.e., nine bitter hydroethanolic herbal extracts (Achillea millefolium, Artemisia absinthium, Centaurium erythraea, Cichorium intybus, Gentiana lutea, Juniperus communis, Peucedanum ostruthium, Salvia officinalis and Taraxacum). Patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been characterized by impaired intestinal motility associated with mucosal inflammation. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of MCP and its individual extracts. The MCP dry extract was prepared from the commercial medicinal product Weleda Amara oral drops (Amara-Tropfen).

Inflammation is typically characterized by release of pro-inflammatory leukotrienes, prostaglandins and cytokines and activation of NF-κB pathway. Analysis of inhibition of pro-inflammatory and pain-related enzymes 5-LOX and COX-2 was performed using recombinant human enzymes. Proinflammatory cytokine release was studied using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and NF-κB activation was analyzed in a reporter assay using human Jurkat cell line. MCP (IC₅₀: 3 µg/mL) and its single herbal extracts inhibited COX-2. MCP (IC₅₀: 3.34 µg/mL) and the single herbal extracts Achillea millefolium, Juniperus communis, Taraxacum officinale, Salvia officinalis and Peucedanum ostruthium strongly inhibited 5-LOX enzymes in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, MCP concentration-dependently inhibited NF-κB activation (IC₅₀: 56 µg/mL) as well as the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, MIP-1α and TNF-α).

These data suggest that the herbal extract combination MCP contained in Weleda Amara oral drops is an efficient treatment option for patients suffering from IBD based on its potent anti-inflammatory and pain-related efficacy ([Fig. 1]).

Fig. 1 The herbal multi-component preparation (MCP) efficiently inhibits pain and inflammation mediators such as 5-LOX and COX-2 enzymes, cytokines and the NF-κB pathway [rerif].

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
12. Dezember 2022