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The Pharmaceutical importance of Althaea officinalis and Althaea rosea: A review

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Abstract

Two species of the genus Althea (Malvaceae) were grown in Iraq, Althaea officinalis and Althaea rosea. Althaea officinalis contained pectins 11%, starch 25-35%, mono-, and di-saccharide, saccharose 10%, mucilage 5%, flavonoids (Hypolaetin-8-glucoside, isoquercitrin, kaempferol, caffeic, pcoumaric acid), coumarins, scopoletin, phytosterols, tannins, asparagine and many amino acids. The previous studies showed that Althaea officinalis possessed antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, immunomodulatory, demulcent, soothing, antittusive and many other pharmacological effects. Althaea rosea contained high molecular weight acidic polysaccharides (1. 3 to 1. 6 million Dalton) known as mucilages which found in flowers and leaves. These mucilages were composed of glucoronic acid, galacturonic acid, rhamnose and galactose. It also contained proteins, alkaloids flavonoids and minerals. It possessed many pharmacological effects including antimicrobial, cardiovascular, prevention of urolithiasis, antiestrogenic, cytotoxic and immunomodulating effects. The aim of this review is to highlight the chemical constituents and the pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Althaea species grown in Iraq.
International Journal of PharmTech Research
CODEN (USA): IJPRIF ISSN : 0974-4304
Vol.5, No.3, pp 1378-1385, July-Sept 2013
The Pharmaceutical Importance of Althaea officinalis and
Althaea rosea : A Review
Ali Esmail Al-Snafi*
Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Thi qar University,
Nasiriyah, P O Box 42, Iraq.
*Corres.author: aboahmad61@yahoo.com
Cell: +9647801397994.
Abstract: Two species of the genus Althea (Malvaceae) were grown in Iraq, Althaea officinalis and Althaea
rosea.Althaea officinalis contained pectins 11% , starch 25-35% , mono-, and di-saccharide, saccharose 10% ,
mucilage 5%, flavonoids (Hypolaetin-8-glucoside, isoquercitrin, kaempferol, caffeic, pcoumaric acid),
coumarins, scopoletin, phytosterols, tannins, asparagine and many amino acids. The previous studies showed
that Althaea officinalis possessed antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, immunomodulatory, demulcent, soothing,
antittusive and many other pharmacological effects. Althaea rosea contained high molecular weight acidic
polysaccharides (1.3 to 1.6 million Dalton) known as mucilages which found in flowers and leaves. These
mucilages were composed of glucoronic acid, galacturonic acid, rhamnose and galactose. It also contained
proteins, alkaloids flavonoids and minerals. It possessed many pharmacological effects including antimicrobial,
cardiovascular, prevention of urolithiasis,antiestrogenic,cytotoxic and immunomodulating effects. The aim of
this review is to highlight the chemical constituents and the pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Althaea
species grown in Iraq.
Key words: Althaea officinalis , Althaea rosea , constituents, pharmacology.
Introduction :
Using plants from the Malvaceae family for herbal therapy is very common in the Middle East, of these plants
are Althaea officinalis and Althaea rosea. Althaea officinalis is native to Asia, Europe and United States of
America. It is widely used traditionally for the treatment of the irritation of oral, pharyngeal mucosa and
associated dry cough, mild gastritis, skin burns and for insect bites. It is also used in catarrh of the mouth and
throat, gastrointestinal tract and urinary tract complains, as well as for inflammation, ulcers, abscesses, burns,
constipation and diarrhea(1) .
Althaea rosea (L.) is a popular garden plant. It is native to China, southern Europe, the Middle, Near east,
Mediterranean and Central Asian regions. It was used traditionally as expectorant, cooling, diuretic,expextorant,
and emmenagogue. Decoction of flowers is used as anti-inflammatory, febrifuge, demulcent and astringent
agent. The roots are used in the treatment of ulcers. Flowers as well as roots are used in the treatment of
inflammation of the kidneys and the uterus. Seeds are thought to be diuretic and febrifuge(1-3).
Many compounds were extracted from different parts of Althaea officinalis, these included pectins 11%, starch
25-35%, mono-,and di-saccharide saccharose 10%, uucilage 5%, flavonoids (Hypolaetin-8-glucoside,
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isoquercitrin, kaempferol, caffeic, pcoumaric acid), coumarins, scopoletin, phytosterols, tannins, asparagine
and many amino acids(4-10).
Althaea rosea contained high molecular weight acidic polysaccharides (1.3 to 1.6 million Dalton) known as
mucilages which found in flowers and leaves.These mucilages were composed of glucoronic acid, galacturonic
acid, rhamnose and galactose. It also contained proteins, alkaloids flavonoids and minerals (11-14)
The previous studies showed that Althaea officinalis possessed antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, immuno
modulatory, demulcent and soothing, antittusive and many other pharmacological effects. Althaea rosea also
possessed many pharmacological effects including antimicrobial , cardiovascular , prevention of urolithiasis ,
antiestrogenic , cytotoxic and immunomodulating effects. The objective of the present review is to highlight the
chemical constituents and the pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Althaea species grown in Iraq.
I-Althaea officinalis
Synonym : Malva officinalis
Common names: English name : Althaea, Marshmallow, Arabic name: khatma , Khatmi
Distribution: Native to Asia, Europe and United States of America.
Traditional use: A. officinalis is widely used in the irritation of oral, pharyngeal mucosa and associated dry
cough, mild gastritis, skin burns and for insect bites. It is also used in catarrh of the mouth, throat,
gastrointestinal tract and urinary tract, as well as for inflammation, ulcers, abscesses, burns, constipation and
diarrhea(1).
Part used: Leaf, root, flowers
Physicochemical properties(2-3) :
Total ash: not more than 6% in the peeled root and not more than 8% in the unpeeled root , acid-insoluble ash :
not more than 3% in the peeled root , water-soluble extractive : not less than 22% ,loss on drying : not more
than 12% , and swelling index : not less than 10.
Chemical constituents :
Many compounds were extracted from different parts of the plants , these included pectins 11% , starch 25-
35%, mono-, di-saccharide saccharose 10%, mucilage 5%, flavonoids : hypolaetin-8-glucoside, isoquercitrin,
kaempferol, caffeic, pcoumaric acid, ferulic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, salicylic acid, p-hydroxyphenylacetic
aicd, vanillic acid , coumarins , scopoletin, phytosterols , tannins , asparagine and amino acids(4-10).
Mucilage polysaccharidescontents reached 5-11.6 % (depending on vegetative period). They were consisted of
the mixture of colloidally soluble polysaccharides, particularly of acid arabinanogalactans, galacturonic
rhamnans, arabans and glucans acidic heteropolysaccharide (with a MW ca 30 000) containing D-galactose, L-
rhamnose, D-glucuronic acid and D-galacturonic acid in the molar ratios 1.2:1.0:1.0:1.0, L-arabinans and D-
glucans . Dominant neutral mucilage component is (1-6)-α-D-glucan. By partial acid hydrolysis Althaea
mucilage O, the following oligosaccharides were obtained: O-α-(D-galactopyranosyluronic acid)-(1-2)-L-
rhamnopyranose, O-β-(D-glucopyranosyluronic acid)-(1-3)-O-α-(D-galactopyrano syluronic acid)-(1-2)-L-
rhamnopyranose and hexasaccharide, nonasaccharide, dodecasaccharide composed of a repeating unit having
the structure of the trisaccharide through position 4 of the D-galacturonic acid residue(8,15-21) .
Valiei et al extracted many compounds from extracts of flower and root of Althaea officinalis , these included :
undecyne, nonanoic acid methyl ester (nonanoic acid), phenol, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-methyl,
tetradecanoic acid methyl ester (tetradecanoic acid), pentadecanoic acid methyl ester (pentadecanoic acid), 9-
hexadecenoic acid methyl ester(9-hexadecenoic acid), hexadecanoic acid methyl ester ( hexadecanoic acid) ,
cyclopropaneoctanoic acid 2-hexyl methyl ester (cyclopropaneoctanoic acid, 2-hexyl), heptadecanoic acid
methyl ester (heptadecanoic acid), octadecyne-5, 7,10-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester (7,10-octadecadienoic
acid), 9,12-octadecadienoic acid(ω-6) methyl ester (9,12-octadecadienoic acid), 8,11-octadacadienoic acid,
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methyl ester(8,11-octadacadienoic acid), 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid -3) methyl ester (9,12,15-
octadecatrienoic acid), octadecanoic acid methyl ester (octadecanoic acid), naphthalene, decahydro-2,6-
dimethyl , 10-nonadecenoic acid methyl ester (10-nonadecenoic acid), cyclopropaneoctanoic acid, 2-octyl,
methyl ester (cyclopropaneoctanoic acid,2-octyl), dihydroionone, 3-heptadecen-5-yne, heneicosane, methyl 2-
octylcyclopropene-1-heptanoate, eicosanoic acid, methyl ester (eicosanoic acid) , tetracosan, heneicosanoic acid
methyl ester (heneicosanoic acid), pentacosane, docosanoic acid methyl ester (docosanoic acid), tricosane,
tricosanoic acid methyl ester (tricosanoic acid), heptacosane, tetracosanoic acid methyl ester (tetracosanoic
acid), octacosane, squalene, nonacosane , γ-sitosterol(22) .
Pharmacological effects :
Antimicrobial activity :
A methanolic extract prepared by exhaustive extraction from marshmallow root has been shown to possess an
inhibiting activity able to diminish significantly the periodontal pathogens resident in the oral cavity
(Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella spp.,Actinomyces odontolyticus, Veilonella parvula, Eikenella
corrodens, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Peptostreptococcus spp.). Antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas
aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris and Staphylococcus aureus has been documented for chloroform and methanolic
extracts of marshmallow roots(18). The hexane extracts of flower and root of Althaea officinalis exerted
antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas
aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus and
Staphylococcus epidermidis), as well as three fungi (Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans and Saccharomyces
cerevisiae)(22).
Rashidi et al also found that 80 % ethanolic Althaea officinalis extract was active against Aspergillus niger,
Aspergillus fumigatus, and Aspergillus flavus species. MIC of Althaea officinalis 80 % ethanolic extract 50-100
mg/ml(23). However , ethanol, water and hexane extracts of the dried seed at a concentration of 10.0 mg/ml,
were inactive on Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis(24). Ethanolic extract of dried whole plant, in cell
culture at variable concentrations is inactive on adenovirus, coxsackie B2 virus, Herpes virus type 1, measles
virus, poliovirus 1 and Semlicki-Forest virus vs plaque inhibition (Berghe, 1978). Water extract of the dried
leaf, in cell culture at a concentration of 10.0%, was inactive on Herpes virus type 2, influenza virus A2,
poliovirus 11 and vaccinia virus A (25) .
Antiinflammatory:
Aqueous extracts of the roots stimulated phagocytosis, and the release of oxygen radicals and leukotrienes from
human neutrophils in vitro. The aqueous extract also induced the release of cytokines, interleukin-6 and tumour
necrosis factor from human monocytes in vitro, thereby exhibiting anti-inflammatory and immune stimulant
activity(26).
A polysaccharide fraction (500mg/ml) isolated from a root extract had anticomplement activity in human serum
in vitro(27). Marshmallow mucilage polysaccharides administered intraperitoneally to mice at a dose of 10 mg/kg
produced a 2.2-fold increase in phagocytic activity of macrophages in the carbon-clearance test (24). However,
with a dry 80% ethanolic extract administered orally (100 mg/kg b.w.), no inhibition of carrageenan induced rat
paw oedema has been proved(29) .
Hypolaetin 8-glucoside has been tested for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-ulcer activity in rats. This
flavonoid (30, 60 and 90 mg/kg i.p.) was more potent than phenylbutazone (30, 60 and 90 mg/kg i.p.) in
suppressing the acute phase of adjuvant carrageenan-induced inflammation but had less effect in the prolonged
inflammatory phase. In contrast to phenylbutazone, it did not cause gastric erosions. Analgesic activity of
hypolaetin 8-glucosid has been found to be lower than the one of phenylbutazone . Hypolaetin 8-glucoside was
also more potent than troxerutin (both at the doses of 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg s.c.) in inhibiting histamine-
induced capillary permeability in rats(18) .
An ointment containing an aqueous marshmallow root extract (20%) applied topically to the external ear of
rabbits reduced irritation induced by UV irradiation or by tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol. The ointment has been
compared to pure dexamethasone 0.05% ointment and a combined marshmallow and dexamethasone product.
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The anti-inflammatory effect of marshmallow ointment was lower than that of a dexamethasone ointment. The
combined product had higher anti-inflammatory effect than the ointments with the individual ingredients(18).
Scopoletin exert anti-inflammatory activity in croton oil induced mouse ear edema(30).
Immunomodulatory effects :
Althaea-mucilage O, an acidic polysaccharide isolated from marshmallow root, has been demonstrated to have
an anti-complement activity on normal human serum in concentrations of 100 1000 ug/ml(27).
An extract (extraction medium 45 % 1,3-butylene glycol solution) of marshmallow root was found to inhibit
intracellular calcium mobilisation in normal human melanocytes activated by endothelin-1, and to strongly
inhibit endothelin-1-induced proliferation of melanocytes. The extract can diminish the physiological effect of
endothelin-1 on normal human melanocytes following UVB irradiation(18).
Scopoletin produced dual action on tumoral lymphocytes exhibiting both a cytostatic and a cytotoxic effect on
the cell , and also exert apoptosis. Proliferation of normal T lymphocytes was found due to the interaction with
kinase C (PKC) protein. It indicates that scopoletin may be a potential anti-tumoral compound (30).
Demulcent and soothing :
The demulcent effects of Radix Althaeae are due to its high content of polysaccharide hydrocolloids, which
form a protective coating on the oral and pharyngeal mucosa, soothing local irritation and inflammation(1).
However,weak inhibition (17%) of mucociliary transport in isolated, ciliated epithelium of the frog oesophagus
was demonstrated after treatment of the isolated tissues with 200 ml of an aqueous root macerate (6.4 g/140
ml)(31).Polysaccharides from marshmallow root showed moderate adhesion to epithelial tissue of porcine buccal
membranes (18) .
Antittusive effects :
Marshmallow root extract and isolated mucilage polysaccharide were tested for antitussive activity in
unanaesthetised cats of both sexes at oral doses of 50 to 100 mg/kg body weight, in a cough induced by
mechanical stimulation, in acomparison with the cough-suppressing effects of Althaea syrup (1000 mg/kg),
prenoxdiazine (30 mg/kg), dropropizine (100 mg/kg) and codeine (10 mg/kg). Both the extract and isolated
polysaccharide significantly reduced the intensity and the number of cough efforts from laryngopharyngeal and
tracheobronchial areas. The root extract was less effective than the isolated polysaccharide. The antitussive
activity was found to be lower than that of codeine, but higher than those of prenoxdiazine and
dropropizine(18,32).
Polysaccharides of Marshmallow exhibited statistically significant cough-suppressing activity, which was
noticeably higher than that of the non-narcotic drug used in clinical practice to treat coughing. By testing many
plants, the most expressive antitussive activity was observed with the polysaccharide from marshmallow,
containing the highest proportion of the uronic acid constituent(33).
In a double blind clinical study, Rouhi and Ganji used Althaea officinalis in patients with hypertension who had
been developed cough during taking of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.The patients received 40mg
of Althaea officinalis three times daily as 20 drops for four weeks . The Mean scores of the severity of the
cough in the group which have been treated by Althaea officinalis had a significant change from the score of
2/66+0.958 (to) 1/23+1.006. Eight patient in the Althaea officinalis group showed almost complete cough
abolition(34).
Other pharmacological effects :
Polysaccharide from the root of A. officinalis (Althaeamucilage-O) administered intraperitoneally to nondiabetic
mice significantly reduced blood glucose(35).
Scopoletin (7-hydroxy-6-methoxy coumarin) is therapeutically evaluated in rats for hyperthyroidism, lipid
peroxidation and hyperglycemia. Scopoletin (1.00 mg/kg, p.o.) administered daily for 7 days decreased the
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levels of serum thyroid hormones and glucose as well as hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase activity. Scopoletin also
mimic hepatic lipid peroxidation and promote antioxidants activity, superoxide dismutase and catalase. It
indicated that scopoletin produce anti-thyroid activity and hyperglycemia without hepatotoxicity(36).
Ethanol/water f(1:1) extract of the dried entire plant, at a concentration of 5.0 mcg/ml, produced weak activity
vs superoxide anion when estimated by the neotetrazolium method(37).The extract of A. officinalis exhibited
strong antioxidant activity in different antioxidant tests(38). Their antioxidant activity is accounted for
approximately 69% of the activity of the reference compound alpha-tocopherol(40). Sadighara et al examined
three colors of petals of Althaea officinalis flowers, i.e., pink, reddish pink, and white were examined for total
antioxidant activity . The results showed that the reddish pink flowers of A. officinalis have more antioxidant
activity and the power of antioxidant activity was reddish pink > pink > white(40).
II-Althaea rosea
Common names : English name : garden Hollyhock , Arabic name : Khatma wardi , Khatmi wardi.
Distribution : It is native to China , southern Europe , the Middle and Near east , Mediterranean and central
Asian regions. The plant grows best in medium-fertile, moist, but well-drained soil. The plant can not grown in
the shades. It can be found in woodlands, cultivated beds and sunny edges.
Traditional use: It is used as expectorant, cooling and diuretic, cough mixtures, and emmenagogue. Decoction
of flowers is used as anti-inflammatory, febrifuge, demulcent and astringent agent. As a demulcent and
astringent, the roots are useful in the treatment of ulcers. Flowers as well as roots are used in the treatment of
inflammation of the kidneys and the uterus. Seeds are thought to be diuretic and febrifuge(41-43).
Physicochemical properties(11)
Total ash 7.3 ± 0.32 %, acid insoluble ash 1.48 ± 0.16 %, water soluble ash 3.33 ± 0.24 %, and loss on drying
in crude drug (%) 8.2 ± 0.38 % .
Successive extraction (% Extractable matter) : petroleum ether extract 8.18 ± 0.85 %, chloroform extract 2.76
± 0.12 % , methanol extract 3.63 ± 0.32 % , and aqueous extract 11.24 ± 0.14 % .
Chemical constituents:
Althaea rosea contained high molecular weight acidic polysaccharides (1.3 to 1.6 million Dalton) known as
mucilages which found in flowers and leaves. These mucilages were composed of glucoronic acid, galacturonic
acid, rhamnose and galactose(12).
Fahamiya found that aqueous extract of the seeds of Althaea rosea Linn contain alkaloids, carbohydrates
,phenolic compounds and flavonoids, while methanolic extracts contained all the above compounds as well as
glycosides . However, chloroform extract contained only carbohydrate(11).
Dudek et al investigated the distribution of phenolic acids in the flowers of Althaea rosea var. nigra . They
studied the methanolic and methanolic-aqueous extracts of whole flowers, petals and calyxes of Althaea rosea
(L.) Cav. var. nigra. They found that the plant contained, cinnamic (ferulic, p-coumaric, caffeic), benzoic (p-
hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, syringic) acids and p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid. p-Coumaric, syringic and p-
hydroxybenzoic acids were detected almost in all fractions. In the petals almost all of detected phenolic acids
were found (except caffeic acid in methanolic extract, syringic and p- ydroxyphenylacetic acids in methanolic-
aqueous extract). In the calyxes the vanilic and p-hydroxyphenylacetic acids were not found. The total content
of phenolic acids in whole flowers was 60 mg%, in petals , 120 mg% and 30 mg% in calyxes(13).
Raknimov and Mezthlumyan found that the amount of pectins in the stems was greater than in the roots. Sugars
isolated from the plant stems and roots included arabinose, rhamnose , galactose, xylose and galacturonic acid.
The percentage of hemicelluloses was 26.6 % in the stems and 14.1% in the roots. The amount of proteins in the
stems was 11.3% and in the roots 12.1%. 17 amino acids were found in Althaea rosa stems and roots. The
amino acid composition included valine, threaonine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine,
histidine and arginine. The predominant amino acid were asparagine, glutamine and leucine. The amount of
hemicellulose was 26.6% in the stems and 14.1 % in the roots. trace elements in Althaea rosa were determined.
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The amount of microelements : Pb , Cd , Cu, Zn, Sn, Cr, and Fe in the stems were 30.1 , 0.67 , 30.0, 93.6,
23.1, 196.0 mg/kg and 106.0, while, their amounts in the roots were 26.1, 0.83, 24.2, 37.5 , 18.5 , 200.5 , and
790 mg/kg respectively(14).
Pharmacological activities :
Antimicrobial effects :
The antimicrobial activities of n-hexane, methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate and water extracts of Althaea rosea L.
flowers were reported against Escherichia coli ATCC 29998, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Escherichia coli
ATCC 11230, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Staphylococcus
epidermidis ATCC 12228, Salmonella thyphimurium CCM 5445, Enterobacter cloacae ATCC 13047,
Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Pseudomonas aeroginosa ATCC 27853 as bacteria and Candida albicans
ATCC 10239 by disc diffusion method(44).
Cardiovascular effects
Alcoholic extract of the flower of Althaea rosea (L.) increased the outflow of coronary artery of isolated guinea
pig's heart and markedly dilated the blood vessels in the hind-limbs of rats. The extract showed a transient
hypotensive effect on anesthetic cats. It inhibited platelet aggregation induced by ADP and showed a inhibitory
effect on experimental thrombosis formation(45).
Prevention of urolithiasis
In both preventive and curative protocols, treatment of rats with hydroalcoholic extract of Althaea rosea roots
significantly reduced the kidney calcium oxalate deposits compared to ethylene glycol group. Administration
of Althaea rosea extract also reduced the elevated urinary oxalate due to ethylene glycol(46).
Antiestrogenic effects :
In traditional folk medicine the Althaea rosea flowers were regarded as an emmenagogue. Literature data have
proved that the infusion and methanolic extract of Althea rosea influence hormonal activity and affected the
morphology of the sexual organs of the rats. It exerted estrogenic activity, but exact component of this plant
responsible for this activity was not determined. The in vivo test proved that p-hydroxybenzoic acid was
estrogenic. Dudek et al proved that this compound present in different parts of Althea rosea and could be
responsible for its estrogenic activity (13).
Effect on Immune system :
Water extract of Althaea rosea produce the following effects on immune system(47) :
1- Induced a transient non-specific polyclonal response indicated by the production of IL-4 in treated, non-
immunized mice.
2- Initially boosted the production of anti-EA antibodies and IL-4, a T- helper 2 cytokine.
3- Suppress production of gamma-interferon, a T- helper 1 cytokine.
Cytotoxic effects:
The cytotoxic activity of n-hexane, methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate and water extracts of Althaea rosea L. was
investigated by brine shrimp assay. Ethyl acetate extract showed cytotoxic activity against brine shrimp(44).
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... It was reported that some species of genus Althea or Alcea (Malveceae) have different pharmacological activities. Althaea rosea, one of the most studied Alcea species, was reported to have cytotoxicity (Abdel-Salam et al., 2018;Al-Snafi, 2013), anticancer (Shahbipour et al., 2017), antimicrobial (Al-Snafi, 2013;Mert et al., 2010), anti-influenza (Sargin, 2021), antioxidant (Abdel-Salam et al., 2018;Dar et al., 2017;Kordalı et al., 2020;Lee et al., 2018), antihyperglycemia (Dar et al., 2017), hepatoprotective effects against paracetamol induced toxicity (Hussain et al., 2014), and curative / protective activity in rats with urolithiasis by decreasing the calcium oxalate deposits; which thought to be in relation with the anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects of mucilaginous and polysaccharides in the herb (Ahmadi et al., 2012). Antitussive, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects were mentioned for Althaea officinalis (Al-Snafi, 2013). ...
... It was reported that some species of genus Althea or Alcea (Malveceae) have different pharmacological activities. Althaea rosea, one of the most studied Alcea species, was reported to have cytotoxicity (Abdel-Salam et al., 2018;Al-Snafi, 2013), anticancer (Shahbipour et al., 2017), antimicrobial (Al-Snafi, 2013;Mert et al., 2010), anti-influenza (Sargin, 2021), antioxidant (Abdel-Salam et al., 2018;Dar et al., 2017;Kordalı et al., 2020;Lee et al., 2018), antihyperglycemia (Dar et al., 2017), hepatoprotective effects against paracetamol induced toxicity (Hussain et al., 2014), and curative / protective activity in rats with urolithiasis by decreasing the calcium oxalate deposits; which thought to be in relation with the anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects of mucilaginous and polysaccharides in the herb (Ahmadi et al., 2012). Antitussive, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects were mentioned for Althaea officinalis (Al-Snafi, 2013). ...
... Althaea rosea, one of the most studied Alcea species, was reported to have cytotoxicity (Abdel-Salam et al., 2018;Al-Snafi, 2013), anticancer (Shahbipour et al., 2017), antimicrobial (Al-Snafi, 2013;Mert et al., 2010), anti-influenza (Sargin, 2021), antioxidant (Abdel-Salam et al., 2018;Dar et al., 2017;Kordalı et al., 2020;Lee et al., 2018), antihyperglycemia (Dar et al., 2017), hepatoprotective effects against paracetamol induced toxicity (Hussain et al., 2014), and curative / protective activity in rats with urolithiasis by decreasing the calcium oxalate deposits; which thought to be in relation with the anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects of mucilaginous and polysaccharides in the herb (Ahmadi et al., 2012). Antitussive, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects were mentioned for Althaea officinalis (Al-Snafi, 2013). Alcea pallida was reported to have some antimicrobial activity (Ertas et al., 2016), anti-influenza (Sargin, 2021), expectorant and anti-inflammatory activity (Unal et al., 2008). ...
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The research aimed to analyze the volatile compounds by using SPME-GC-MS and to detect anticholinesterase, antityrosinase, and antimicrobial potential of metanol extract of Alceacalvertii Boiss., an endemic species for Türkiye. The inhibitory effects of tyrosinase, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase of the plant were determined by spectroscopic technique and the plant’s antimicrobial activity was assessed using the agar diffusion method. A total of 18 volatile compounds were specified belonging to terpenes classes. o-cymene (10.60%) and sesquicineole (15.55%) were detected as major volatile components of the species by the SPME-GC-MS technique. Meaningful antimicrobial activity was observed on Candida tropicalis, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of the plant was determined 60.12 ± 1.75 μg/mL as a result of tyrosinase assay. IC50 value was found 111.54 ± 1.75 μg/mL, according to butyrylcholinesterase inhibition studies. Considering all the findings, it has been determined that the plant includes diverse volatile compounds and showed promising antimicrobial, tyrosinase inhibitory, and moderate butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory effects so Alceacalvertii may be the up-and-coming source of natural medicine for microbial and dermatological diseases although limited to its effects for Alzheimer's disease.
... The Malvaceae family has medicinal uses thanks to mucilage, fixed oils and essential oils. Some of the most commonly used species in folk medicine are as follows: Althaea officinalis, Malva sylvestris, Alcea biennis, Abelmoschus esculentus, Hibiscus [13][14][15][16][17]. Althaea officinalis Linn (AO), known as marshmallow (Hatmi in Türkiye), is a hairy herb, annual and perennial plant belonging to the family Malvaceae ( Figure 1) [18]. AO parts have been traditionally utilized in the treatment of various ailments such as coughs, colds, stomach ulcers, kidney stones, enteritis, and mucous membrane irritation [19,20]. ...
... AO parts have been traditionally utilized in the treatment of various ailments such as coughs, colds, stomach ulcers, kidney stones, enteritis, and mucous membrane irritation [19,20]. Multiple studies have indicated the diverse therapeutic properties of AO extracts, including antitussive, anti-inflammatory, anti-estrogenic, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant effects [19][20][21][22] Analytical investigations have revealed the predominant composition of AO, which comprises starch (25%-35%), pectin (11%), sucrose (10%), mucilage (5%), and saccharides [18][19][20][21]23]. Despite its extensive traditional use and therapeutic potential, the chemical profile of AO remains relatively understudied, with only 46 compounds identified thus far, encompassing 17 flavonoids, 3 coumarins, 1 steroid, 1 triterpenoid, and 24 other miscellaneous compounds [24]. ...
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In this study, the bioactive components and antioxidant properties of Althaea (Hatmi) and Hibiscus plants were assessed using various methods. Both aqueous and ethanol extracts of these plants yielded distinct and effective results. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays at concentrations of 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/mL. Hatmi extracts, both ethanol and aqueous, exhibited high DPPH activity, particularly at 75 and 100 mg/mL, while Hibiscus showed a linear increase in DPPH activity with concentration, reaching 2000 µM Trolox Equivalent (TE) /g dry weight (DW) at 100 mg/mL. In ABTS assays, lower concentrations of ethanol extracts were more effective, but higher aqueous concentrations showed greater activity. FRAP results indicated high antioxidant activity in Hatmi ethanol extracts, with activity reaching 2700 µM TE/g DW at higher concentrations. Phenolic analysis revealed high levels of apigenin 7-glucoside, hesperidin, and caffeic acid in Hatmi, while Hibiscus extracts contained significant amounts of chlorogenic acid and quercetin. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed that Hatmi had a higher abundance of volatile organic compounds compared to Hibiscus.
... First of all Khatmi was described by Pedanius Dioscorides (40-90 announcement). He described that Khatmi is a type of Malukhiya barri that's Khubbazi (Common Mallow/ Malva Silvestri's Linn) It's extensively used traditionally in Unani and Ayurvedic drug since numerous times [15] . The ancient Greek croaker Gaius Plinius Secundus (23/24-79 announcement), called Pliny the Elder resounded the factory as a 'Cure-all'. ...
... In recent years, ethno medicinal studies has received much attention as this brings to light the numerous little known and unknown medicinal virtues especially of plant origin which needs evaluation on modern scientific lines such as phytochemical analysis, pharmacological screening and clinical trials (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9). Origanum vulgare (Family: Lamiaceae), is widely distributed in Africa, Asia and Europe. ...
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Origanum vulgare (Family: Lamiaceae), is widely distributed in Africa, Asia and Europe. It is an important flavouring herb in Mediterranean cookery. Flowering branches were used as energy producer, as stomach booster, nervous calming, laxative, diarrhea, general weakness of the body, anticancer, migraine, for external use by rubbing in place of numbness and in toothache. Aerial parts were used as disinfection, pain reliever, relaxing, cardiorespiratory booster, antidiarrhoeal, stomach booster, cough suppressant, sexual dysfunction, sinusitis. Seed were bused as anticonvulsant, expectorant, pain reliever, cough suppressant, antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, menstrual regulator, diuretic and for the treatment of urinary tract infection. The phytochemical screening of the leaves extracts showed that Oreganum vulgare contained oils, carbohydrates, anthraquinones, coumarins, phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids, flavanonols, anthocyanins and many other bioactive compounds. The previous pharmacological studies revealed that Oreganum vulgare possessed antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, anticancer, protective antidiabetic, antiparasitic, reproductive, dermatological, gtastrointestinal antiurolithic, immunomodulatory and metal chelating activity. In the current review, Web Science, PubMed, Scopus and Science Direct, were searched to highlight the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of Oreganum vulgare.
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Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine metabolic disorders. It caused significant mortality due to its complications. Medicinal plants possessed hypoglycemic effects by many mechanisms. The current review discussed the medicinal plants with antidiabetic effect with special focus on their mechanism of action
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Background- Mammals' hair has a purpose beyond its physiological function. Culturally, hair is a blank canvas on which one can express oneself and evoke previous and present fads. Today, significant hair loss might be caused by hormonal changes, genetics, a skin problem, or old age. Between 0.2 and 4% of the world's population has this disease, which often worsens physical and mental health. Recent research has focused on herbal hair growth remedies. Natural and alternative medicines are gaining popularity. Methods- Natural therapies, such as plants with therapeutic properties, are being studied to reduce hair loss and grow hair. A comprehensive analysis of plant species researched for hair loss and growth is provided. Result- The review uses traditional knowledge and scientific studies to describe how these plants work, their active components, and their advantages. To determine the efficacy and safety of these plant-based interventions, standardized research protocols, and clinical trials are needed due to differences in study methods, plant preparations, and individual responses. Conclusion- As interest in natural hair care grows, understanding the pros and cons of different plant species is crucial for establishing evidence-based hair fall prevention and growth solutions
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Althaea rosea belongs to the family Malvaceae. It is an erect, simple or sparingly branched, stellately hairy, annual or biennial herb and 0.5-2.0 m in height. The seeds of this plant having anti-pyretic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, demulcent and analgesic properties. In present era, the adulteration has become a major problem due to unavailability of standards relating to genuineness of herbal drug. Hence, efforts have been made to identify the pharmacognostical characters and phytochemical analysis of Althaea rosea seed. HPTLC fingerprint profiles of methanolic extract and its chloroform fraction of the seed were also developed. This will serve as a standard reference for identification, authentication and distinguishing the plants from its adulterants.
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The complex extract and the polysaccharide isolated from the roots of marsh mallow were tested for antitussive activity in unanaesthetized cats of both sexes. Cough was elicited by mechanical stimulation of laryngopharyngeal and tracheobronchial mucous area of the respiratory system with a Nylon fibre (diameter 0.35 mm). Cough was evaluated on the basis of the changes in lateral tracheal pressure. The polysaccharide and the complex extract were administered p.o. in a dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg b.w., respectively. The efficiency of the mentioned compounds was compared with the cough-suppressing effect of drugs belonging to the non-narcotic antitussics. The results of the experiments showed that administration of the polysaccharide led to a statistically significant decrease of the number of cough efforts both from laryngopharyngeal and tracheobronchial areas of the respiratory system. The polysaccharide in a dose of 50 mg/kg b.w. was as effective in inhibition of the cough reflex as Sirupus Althaeae in a dose of 1000 mg/kg b.w. and more effective than prenoxdiazine in a dose of 30 mg/kg b.w. However, the cough-suppressing effect of the polysaccharide was lower than that of dropropizine. The extract was less effective than the polysaccharide.
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Partial acid hydrolysis of Althaea-mucilage O, a representative mucous polysaccharide isolated from the roots of Althaea officinalis L., led to the isolation of five oligosaccharides. Analysis of their components, as well as reduction and methylation, and partial degradation studies showed that these oligosaccharides are O-α-(D-galactopyranosyluronic acid)-(1→2)-L-rhamnopyranose, O-β-(D-glucopyranosyluronic acid)-(1→3)-O-α-(D-galactopyranosyluronic acid)-(1→2)-L-rhamnopyranose, and the hexasaccharide, the nonasaccharide, and the dodecasaccharide composed of a repeating unit having the structure of the trisaccharide through position 4 of the D-galacturonic acid residue. The polysaccharide was also subjected to chromium trioxide oxidation, and to controlled Smith degradation. The configuration and the mode of branching were determined. The structural features of the mucilage are discussed.