Anti-Neuroinflammatory effects of Sideritis scardica hydroethanolic dry extracts in-vitro

Sideritis scardica Griseb. (Lamiaceae), also called ironwort or Greek mountain tea, has been used in traditional medicine against cough with cold [1], gastrointestinal complaints with inflammation [2] and nowadays neurological disorders [3]. The human brain is endowed with the capacity to self-protect via a variety of mechanisms. However, in cases of neurological disorders, it is often damaging due to the over-activation of microglia and the dysregulation of cytokines and chemokines. There is growing evidence to suggest that neuro-inflammation is playing a key role in the progression of these disorders. This study investigated the anti-neuroinflammatory potential of two herbal extracts of Sideritis scardica (EtOH 20% V/V; DER native 5–7:1 and EtOH 40% V/V; DER native 4–6:1) in BV2 and SK-N-SH cells.

First the non-cytotoxic concentration of the Sideritis extracts were evaluated with the AlamarBlue^®​ assay. Up to 300 µg/ml the test items had no effect on the viability of BV2 microglial or SK-N-SH cells, respectively. Both Sideritis scardica extracts dose-dependently inhibited the LPS-induced TNF-a, IP-10 (CXCL10), MIP-2 (CXCL2), and IL-6, release in BV2 cells. The extracts showed a slight inhibition of LPS induced MCP-1 (CCL2) release at concentrations≥100 µg/ml and had no effect on MIP-1α (CCL3). The extracts showed a slight inhibition of IL-1β induced PGE₂ release at concentrations≥100 µg/ml and dose-dependently inhibited the IL-8 release. Both in microglial and neuronal cells, the anti-inflammatory effects are stronger for the extraction solvent EtOH 40% V/V vs. EtOH 20% V/V.

The anti-inflammatory effects of Sideritis scardica extracts on microglial and neuronal cells were clearly demonstrated in the study [4].

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
08. September 2025

• References

• 1 EMA/HMPC: Assessment report on Sideritis scardica Griseb.; Sideritis clandest. (Bory & Chaub.) Hayek; Sideritis raeseri Boiss. & Heldr.; Sideritis syriaca L., herba, 2016, EMA/HMPC/39455/2015
• 2 Tadić VM. et al. Planta Med 2012; 78: 415-427
• 3 Wightman EL. et al. Nutrients 2018; 10: 955
• 4 Sun L.. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17: 674