Zeitschrift für Phytotherapie 2023; 44(01): 39-46
DOI: 10.1055/a-1924-9592
Porträt

Arbutus unedo L., Der (Westliche) Erdbeerbaum

KlausPeter Latté

Zusammenfassung

Arbutus unedo L., der (Westliche) Erdbeerbaum, ist im Mittelmeerraum weit verbreitet. Die Blätter werden seit der Antike arzneilich aufgrund ihrer adstringierenden Wirkungen zur Behandlung von Diarrhoe und als Gurgelmittel verwendet. Zudem ist die traditionelle Verwendung der Blattdroge als Harnwegsdesinfizienz und als antientzündliches, antidiabetisches und antihypertensives Agens bekannt. Phytochemische Untersuchungen führten zur Isolierung von Arbutin und seinen Derivaten, zu einem breiten Spektrum an phenolischen Substanzen, u. a. an Gerbstoffen und Flavonoiden, sowie zu Iridoiden und einer wasserdampfflüchtigen Fraktion. Moderne In-vitro-Untersuchungen belegen antimikrobielle, antioxidative, antiinflammatorische und kardiovaskuläre Wirkungen für die Blattdroge. Bisher liegen noch keine klinischen Studien zur Wirksamkeit der Blattdroge und/oder zu Zubereitungen daraus vor.

Abstract

Arbutus unedo L., the strawberry tree, is widely distributed in the Mediterranean area. The leaves have been used since antiquity as a medicine due to its astringent effects for the treatment of diarrhoea and as a gargle. Further traditional uses are the application as an urinary antiseptic, and as an anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antihypertensive agent. Phytochemical research has led to the isolation of arbutin and its derivatives, a broad spectrum of further phenolic compounds including tannins and flavonoids, and also iridoids and a volatile fraction. Modern in vitro studies confirm antimicrobial, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular effects of the leaves. So far, no clinical studies exist for the efficacy of the herbal drug and its preparations.



Publication History

Article published online:
20 February 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 
  • Literatur

  • 1 Afkir S, Nguelefack TB, Aziz M. et al. Arbutus unedo prevents cardiovascular and morphological alterations in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. Part I: Cardiovascular and renal hemodynamic effects of Arbutus unedo in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. J Ethnopharmacol 2008; 116: 288-295
  • 2 Afkir S, Markaoui M, Aziz M. et al. Effect of flavonoids from Arbutus unedo leaves on rat isolated thoracic aorta. Arabian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants 2015; 1: 75-93
  • 3 ANSM. Liste A des plantes médicinales utilisées traditionnellement. Dokument der Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament et des produits de santé; Pharmacopée française, Januar 2021, Link: https://ansm.sante.fr/uploads/2021/03/25/liste-a-des-plantes-medicinales-utilisees-traditionnellement-4.pdf,eingesehenam24.09.2022
  • 4 Asmaa N, Abdelaziz G, Boulanouar B. et al. Chemical composition, antioxidant activity and mineral content of Arbutus unedo (leaves and fruits). J Micobiol Biotechnol. Food Sci 2019; 8: 1335-1339
  • 5 Bessah R, Benyoussef E-H.. Essential oil composition of Arbutus unedo L. leaves from Algeria. Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants 2012; 15: 678-681
  • 6 Davini E, Esposito P, Iavarone C, Trogolo C.. Structure and configuration of unedide, an iridoid glucoside from Arbutus unedo . Phytochemistry 1981; 20: 1583-1585
  • 7 El Haourari M, López JJ, Mekhfi H. et al. Antiaggregant effects of Arbutus unedo extracts in human platelets. J Ethnopharmacol 2007; 113: 325-331
  • 8 El-Haourari M, Mekhfi H.. Anti-platelet aggregation effect of extracts from Arbutus unedo leaves. Plant Science Today 2017; 4: 68-74
  • 9 Jurica K, Karačonji IB, Šegan S. et al. Quantitative analysis of arbutin and hydroquinone in strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L., Ericaceae) leaves by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Arh Hg Rada Toksikol 2015; 66: 197-202
  • 10 Jurica K, Gobin I, Kremer D. et al. Arbutin and its metabolite hydroquinone as the main factors in the antimicrobial effect of strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) leaves. J Herbal Medicine 2017; 8: 17-23 DOI: 10.1016/j.hermed.2017.03.006.
  • 11 Jurica K, Karačonji IB, Mikolić A. et al. In vitro safety assessment of the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) water leaf extract and arbutin in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Cytotechnology 2018; 70: 1261-1278
  • 12 Jurica K, Benković V, Sikirić S. et al. The effects of strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) water leaf extract and arbutin upon kidney function and primary DNA damages in renal cells of rats. Nat Prod Res 2020; 34: 2354-2357
  • 13 Kachkoul R, Houssaini TS, El Habbani R. et al. Phytochemical screening and inhibitory activity of oxalocalcic crystallization of Arbutus unedo L. leaves. Heliyon 2018; 4: e01011 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e01011.
  • 14 Kachkoul R, Housseini TS, Mohim M. et al. Chemical compounds as well as antioxidant and litholytic activities of Arbutus unedo L. leaves against calcium oxalate stones. J Integrative Medicine 2019; 17: 430-437
  • 15 Karačonji IB, Jurica K, Gašić U. et al. Comparative study on the phenolic fingerprint and antioxidant activity of strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) leaves and fruits. Plants 2022; 11: 25
  • 16 Kivcak B, Mert T, Demirci B, Baser KHC.. Composition of the essential oil of Arbutus unedo . Chem Nat Compounds 2001; 37: 445-446
  • 17 Kivcak B, Mert T, Denizci AA.. Antimicrobial activity of Arbutus unedo L. FABAD. J Pharm Sci 2001; 26: 125-128
  • 18 Koukos D, Meletiou-Christou M-S, Rhizopoulou S.. Leaf surface wettability and fatty acid composition of Arbutus unedo and Arbutus andrachne grown under ambient conditions in a natural macchia. Acta Botanica Gallica: Botany Letters 2015; 162: 225-232
  • 19 Legssyer A, Mekhfi H, Bnouham M. et al. Tannins and catechin gallate mediate the vasorelaxant effect of Arbutus unedo on the rat isolated aorta. Phytother Res 2004; 18: 889-894
  • 20 Lemery Dictionnaire universel des drogues simples. Paris: D´Houry; 1760
  • 21 Maldini M, D´Urso G, Pagliuca G. et al. HPTLC-PCA complementary to HRMS-PCA in the case study of Arbutus unedo antioxidant phenolic profiling. Foods 2019; 8: 294
  • 22 Malheiro R, Sá O, Pereira E. et al. Arbutus unedo L. leaves as source of phytochemcials with bioactive properties. Industrial Crops and Products 2012; 27: 473-478
  • 23 Mariotto S, Ciampa AR, Carcereri de Prati A. et al. Aqueous extract of Arbutus unedo inhibits STAT1 activation in human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 and human fibroblasts through SHP2 activation. Med Chem 2008; 4: 219-228
  • 24 Mariotto S, Esposito E, Di Paola R. et al. Protective effect of Arbutus unedo aqueous extract in carrageenan-induced lung inflammation in mice. Pharmacol Res 2008; 57: 110-124
  • 25 Markwirth J, Steinecke H.. Erdbeerbäume. Der Palmengarten 2018; 82: 39-46 DOI: 10.21248/palmengarten.459.
  • 26 Martins J, Batista T, Pinto G, Canhoto J.. Seasonal variation of phenolic compounds in strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) leaves and inhibitory potential on Phytophthora cinnamomi . Trees 2021; 35: 1571-1586 DOI: 10.1007/s00468-021-02137-4.
  • 27 Miguel MG, Faleiro ML, Guerreiro AC, Antunes MD.. Arbutus unedo L: Chemical and biological properties. Molecules 2014; 19: 15799-15823
  • 28 Morgado S, Morgado M, Plácido AI. et al. Arbutus unedo L.: From traditional medicine to potential uses in modern pharmacotherapy. J Ethnopharmacol 2018; 225: 90-102
  • 29 Pavlović DR, Branković S, Kovačević N. et al. Comparative study of spasmolytic properties, antioxidant activity and phenolic content of Arbutus unedo from Montenegro and Greece. Phytother Res 2011; 25: 749-754
  • 30 Poiret JLM.. Histoire philosophique, littéraire, économique des plantes de l’Europe. Band 5. Paris: Ladrange et Verdiére; 1827
  • 31 Tenuta MC, Deguin B, Loizzo MR. et al. Contribution of flavonoids and iridoids to the hypoglycaemic, antioxidant, and nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activities of Arbutus unedo L. Antioxidants 2020; 9: 184
  • 32 Thies H, Šulc D.. Beiträge zur Kenntnis von Arbutus unedo L. 1. Mitteilung: Der Nachweis von Arbutin in Erdbeerbaumblättern. Pharmazie 1950; 5: 553-555
  • 33 Thies H, Šulc D.. Beiträge zur Kenntnis von Arbutus unedo L. 2. Mitteilung: Über die quantitative Bestimmung von Arbutin und Gerbstoffen in Erdbeerbaumblättern. Pharmazie 1951; 6: 169-172
  • 34 Wasicky R.. Der gegenwärtige Drogenmangel und über Arbutus unedo als Ersatz für Folia uva ursi. Zeitschrift des Allgem. Österr. Apotheker-Vereines 1917; 55: 343-345
  • 35 Weisflog G.. Untersuchungen über einige arbutinhaltige Arzneidrogenpräparate [Dissertation]. Zürich: ETH; 1944