Phytotherapie in der Rheumatologie

Zusammenfassung

In der Behandlung rheumatischer Erkrankungen werden Phytotherapeutika nach wie vor sowohl innerlich als auch äußerlich mit gutem Erfolg eingesetzt. Topisch werden am häufigsten Arzneimittel aus Paprika (Capsicum annum), Arnika (Arnica montana) und Beinwell (Symphytum officinale) verwendet, welche einen vergleichbaren therapeutischen Effekt besitzen wie äußerlich applizierte nichtsteroidale Antirheumatika. Innerlich verabreichbare Phytotherapeutika aus der Teufelskralle (Harpagophytum procumbens), der Brennnessel (Urtica spec.), der Weidenrinde (Salix spec.), der Pappel (Populus tremula) und der Katzenkralle (Uncaria tomentosa) sind als Arzneimittel registriert. Sie weisen im Vergleich zu konventionellen nichtsteroidalen Antirheumatika vielfach eine bessere Verträglichkeit bei reduzierter Nebenwirkungsrate auf und können im Allgemeinen auch kostengünstig angewandt werden. In klinischen Studien wurde zudem die Wirksamkeit von Weihrauch (Boswellia serrata), Hagebutte (Rosa canina) und Wilfords Dreiflügelfrucht (Tripterygium wilfordii) dargestellt, dazu stehen in Deutschland und Österreich derzeit jedoch noch keine Phytotherapeutika in Form zugelassener Arzneimittel zur Verfügung, weshalb weitere Studien zur Dosisfindung und zur Abklärung unerwünschter Wirkungen erforderlich erscheinen.

Summary

Phytotherapy in rheumatology

Phytopharmaceuticals are successfully administered externally and internally in the treatment of rheumatic diseases. Topically used medicines are Capsicum (Capsicum annum), Arnica (Arnica montana) und comfrey (Symphytum officinale) which have a similar therapeutic value compared to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Internally applied devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens), stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), willow bark (Salix spec.), cottonwood (Populus tremula) and cat‘s claw (Uncaria tomentosa) are registered phytopharmaceuticals. In comparison to conventional NSAID, these drugs have a better compatibility and cost efficiency as well as reduced adverse effects. Clinical studies also show the therapeutic potency of frankincense (Boswellia serrata), rose hip (Rosa canina) und Tripterygium (Tripterygium wilfordii), though these are not registered phytopharmaceuticals in Germany or Austria. In order to reach this status, further studies about dose rate as well as investigations on adverse effects are necessary for these drugs.

Schlüsselwörter

Phytotherapie - rheumatoide Arthritis - Arthrose

Key words

Phytotherapy - rheumatoid arthritis - osteoarthritis

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