Planta Med 2007; 73 - P_454
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-987234

Epilobium parviflorum Schreb. – in vitro study of biological action

TB Hevesi 1, PJ Houghton 2, S Habtemariam 3, S Milligan 4, CJ Kalita 4, A Purohit 5, Á Kéry 1
  • 1Department of Pharmacognosy, Semmelweis University, Üllői u. 26., H-1085 Budapest, Hungary
  • 2Pharmacognosy Research Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Division, King's College London, 150, Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, UK
  • 3Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy Research Laboratories, Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medway School of Science, The University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK
  • 4Endocrinology and Reproduction Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, King' s College, London SE1 1UL, UK
  • 5Endocrinology and Metabolic Medicine and Sterix Ltd., Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, St. Mary's Hospital, London W2 1NY, UK

Epilobium parviflorum Schreb. (Onagraceae) is used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is regarded as an endocrine disorder caused by age-related hormone imbalance and increased oxidative damage [1,2,3]. Epilobium can moderate the obstructive and the irritative symptoms of BPH [1] but its biological action is not entirely identified. E. parviflorum is rich in phytosterols, flavonoids (myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol and their glycosides), phenolic acids, catechins, ellagi- and gallotannins [4]. The potential biological effects of Epilobium parviflorum Schreb. have been investigated, in respect to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, enzyme-inhibitory and anti-androgenic effect. The whole-plant water extract showed higher antioxidant effect (IC50=1.65±0.05µg/mL) in DPPH assay than Trolox or ascorbic acid and inhibited the lipid peroxidation examined in TBA assay (IC50=2.31±0.18mg/mL). In concentrations 0.20–15.00µg/mL the extract possessed a protective effect comparable to catalase enzyme (2500 IU/mL), against oxidative damage generated on fibroblast cells. The examination of the COX-inhibitory effect showed that E. parviflorum had an anti-inflammatory effect (IC50=1.38±0.08µg/mL). Investigation of steroid receptor binding ability and the aromatase enzyme-inhibition showed negative results in the concentration range examined.

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