Article

Cistus incanus (CYSTUS052) for treating patients with infection of the upper respiratory tract

October 2009
Antiviral Research 84(3):267-71

DOI:10.1016/j.antiviral.2009.10.001

Source
PubMed

Authors:

In this prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study we aimed to investigate the clinical effect of a Cistus extract (CYSTUS052) in 160 patients with infections of the upper respiratory tract. The extract contains a high percentage of highly polymeric polyphenols. In cell culture and in a mouse model it exerts antiviral and antimicrobial activities. Principal active constituents of the genus Cistus are polyphenolic compounds. Plant-derived polyphenols have been shown to be strong antioxidants with potential health benefits. Various reports have appeared on the antiviral and antibacterial potential, including several reports describing the antiviral activity of polyphenols against influenza virus. Clinical studies on the effectiveness of Cistus incanus are scarce. Only one controlled application observation study demonstrated the effectiveness of a Cistus extract. The present randomised, placebo-controlled clinical study was designed to compare the symptom scores in patients with common cold treated either with CYSTUS052 or with placebo. A score of subjective symptoms decreased significantly over the course of treatment with Cistus, whereas treatment with placebo resulted in a less distinct decrease of symptoms. Among the inflammatory markers investigated, the C-reactive protein was mostly affected by Cistus and decreased significantly in the treatment group.

Flavonoids for Treating Viral Acute Respiratory Tract Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 30 Randomized Controlled Trials

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2022

Background: This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of flavonoids in treating viral acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs). Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were entered into meta-analyses performed separately for each indication. Efficacy analyses were based on changes in disease-specific symptom scores. Safety was analyzed based on the pooled data from all eligible trials, by comparing the incidence of adverse events between flavonoids and the control. Results: Thirty RCTs (n = 5,166) were included. In common cold, results showed that the flavonoids group decreased total cold intensity score (CIS), the sum of symptom intensity differences (SSID) of CIS, and duration of inability to work vs. the control group. In influenza, the flavonoids group improved the visual analog scores for symptoms. In coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the flavonoids group decreased the time taken for alleviation of symptoms, time taken for severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RT-PCR clearance, the RT-PCR positive subjects at day 7, time to achievement of the normal status of symptoms, patients needed oxygen, patients hospitalized and requiring mechanical ventilation, patients in ICU, days of hospitalization, patients with comorbidities, and mortality vs. the control group. In acute non-streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis, the flavonoids group decreased the TSS on day 7. In acute rhinosinusitis, the flavonoids group decreased the SSS on day 7, days off work, and duration of illness. In acute bronchitis, the flavonoids group decreased the BSS on day 7, days-off work, and duration of illness. In bronchial pneumonia, the flavonoids group decreased the time to symptoms disappearance, the level of IL- 6, IL- 8, and TNF-α. In upper respiratory tract infections, the flavonoids group decreased total CIS on day 7 and increased the improvement rate of symptoms. Furthermore, the results of the incidence of adverse reactions did not differ between the flavonoids and the control group. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis showed that flavonoids were efficacious and safe in treating viral ARTIs including the common cold, influenza, COVID-19, acute non-streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis, acute rhinosinusitis, acute bronchitis, bronchial pneumonia, and upper respiratory tract infections. However, given the limitations, we suggest that the conclusions need to be confirmed on a larger scale with more detailed instructions in future studies.

Exploring In Vitro the Combination of Cistus × incanus L. and Castanea sativa Mill. Extracts as Food Supplement Ingredients against H. pylori Infection

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2023

Cistus spp. have been traditionally used for inflammatory and infectious disorders, including gastrointestinal ailments, in the Mediterranean area. Among them, Cistus × incanus L. is one of the most frequently cited species in the literature for a variety of biological activities which include inflammatory diseases. Cistus spp. aerial parts are rich in polyphenols such as condensed and hydrolysable tannins, procyanidins, and flavonoids, which show gastroprotective activities. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the biological activities of a hydroalcoholic extract from Cistus × incanus L. aerial parts in gastric epithelial cells (GES-1) infected with H. pylori. The extracts inhibited IL-8 and NF-κB induced by H. pylori and showed antibacterial activity after simulated digestion. Since our previous paper reported interesting results on the ability of Castanea sativa Mill. leaf extract to decrease inflammatory conditions in H. pylori-infected gastric cells, the combination of Castanea sativa and Cistus × incanus extracts was also investigated, showing strong anti-inflammatory activity and inhibition of bacterial adhesion. This association of botanicals is proposed herein as a novel food supplement capable of counteracting gastric inflammatory conditions.

Cistus × Incanus L. Pandalis and Its Broad Antiviral Properties

Article

Full-text available

Nov 2021

Jens-Martin Träder

Bioactive Compounds and Functional Properties of Herbal Preparations of Cystus creticus L. Collected From Rhodes Island

Article

Full-text available

May 2022

The members of Cystus genus are perenial shrubs with a well-established use in traditional medicine. Among these, C. creticus is the most popular, herbal preparations obtained from its aerial parts being recognized as antimicrobial, antitumor and anti-inflammatory agents. The present study aimed to evaluate phytochemical profile and bioactive potential of aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts of C. creticus aerial parts harvested from two different areas of Rhodes island. LC-DAD-ESI/MSⁿ analysis revealed the presence of myricetin and quercetin glycosides as main compounds, especially in aqueous extracts, being probably responsible for their enhanced antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. On the other side, hydroethanolic preparations exerted a strong anti-inflammatory and anti-biofilm activity. Our findings suggest that the use of solvents with intermediate polarity can assure the best recovery of bioactive compounds from C. creticus, increasing the extraction yield for other non-phenolic compounds which can enhance therapeutic potential of the extract through a synergistic action.

Flavonoids for Treating Viral Acute Respiratory Tract Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 30 Randomized Controlled Trials

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2022

Background This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of flavonoids in treating viral acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs). Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were entered into meta-analyses performed separately for each indication. Efficacy analyses were based on changes in disease-specific symptom scores. Safety was analyzed based on the pooled data from all eligible trials, by comparing the incidence of adverse events between flavonoids and the control. Results In this study, thirty RCTs (n = 5,166) were included. In common cold, results showed that the flavonoids group decreased total cold intensity score (CIS), the sum of sum of symptom intensity differences (SSID) of CIS, and duration of inability to work vs. the control group. In influenza, the flavonoids group improved the visual analog scores for symptoms. In COVID−19, the flavonoids group decreased the time taken for alleviation of symptoms, time taken for SARS-CoV−2 RT-PCR clearance, the RT-PCR positive subjects at day 7, time to achievement of the normal status of symptoms, patients needed oxygen, patients hospitalized and requiring mechanical ventilation, patients in ICU, days of hospitalization, and mortality vs. the control group. In acute non-streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis, the flavonoids group decreased the tonsillitis severity score (TSS) on day 7. In acute rhinosinusitis, the flavonoids group decreased the sinusitis severity score (SSS) on day 7, days off work, and duration of illness. In acute bronchitis, the flavonoids group decreased the bronchitis severity score (BSS) on day 7, days off work, and duration of illness. In bronchial pneumonia, the flavonoids group decreased the time to symptoms disappearance, the level of interleukin−6 (IL−6), interleukin−8 (IL−8), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). In upper respiratory tract infections, the flavonoids group decreased total CIS on day 7 and increased the improvement rate of symptoms. Furthermore, the results of the incidence of adverse reactions did not differ between the flavonoids and the control group. Conclusion Results from this systematic review and meta-analysis suggested that flavonoids were efficacious and safe in treating viral ARTIs including the common cold, influenza, COVID−19, acute non-streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis, acute rhinosinusitis, acute bronchitis, bronchial pneumonia, and upper respiratory tract infections. However, uncertainty remains because there were few RCTs per type of ARTI and many of the RCTs were small and of low quality with a substantial risk of bias. Given the limitations, we suggest that the conclusions need to be confirmed on a larger scale with more detailed instructions in future studies. Systematic Review Registration: inplasy.com/inplasy-2021-8-0107/, identifier: INPLASY20218010

Results of a randomized controlled phase III trial: efficacy of polyphenol-containing cystus® tea mouthwash solution for the reduction of mucositis in head and neck cancer patients undergoing external beam radiotherapy

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2021
STRAHLENTHER ONKOL

Purpose: To determine the effect of Cystus® tea (Naturprodukte Dr. Pandalis GmbH & Co. KG) as mouthwash compared to sage tea on oral mucositis in patients undergoing radio(chemo)therapy for head and neck cancer. Methods: In this randomized, prospective phase III study, 60 head and neck cancer patients with primary or postoperative radio(chemo)therapy were included between 04/2012 and 06/2014. They received either sage or Cystus® tea for daily mouthwash under therapy. Mucositis was scored twice a week following the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and the European Organization for Research and Treatment Cancer (RTOG/EORTC) scoring system. Dental parameters were also recorded. Statistical evaluation of the primary endpoint was performed using t‑test and log rank test. Results: Data from 57 patients could be evaluated. Patient characteristics showed no significant difference between the two groups (n = 27 sage; n = 30 Cystus®). A total of 55 patients received the prescribed dose (60-66 Gy postoperative; 70-76.8 Gy primary). Mucositis grade 3 was observed in 23 patients (n = 11 sage; n = 12 Cystus®) and occurred between day 16 and 50 after start of therapy. There was no significant difference between the two groups in latency (p = 0.75) and frequency (p = 0.85) of the occurrence of mucositis grade 3. The self-assessment of the oral mucosa and the tolerability of the tea also showed no significant differences. Occurrence of dental pathologies appeared to increase over time after radiotherapy. Conclusion: Cystus® and sage tea have a similar effect on the occurrence of radiation-induced mucositis regarding latency and incidence. Cystus® tea mouthwash solution is tolerated well and can be applied in addition to intensive oral care and hygiene along with the application of fluorides.

Insights on the Efficacy and Safety of Selected Herbal Teas

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2023

Ahmed Amer

Herbal teas are very common around the world. It has a good therapeutic effect. But due to adulteration, we face an obstacle to using them. The author has collected some clinical trials on commercial herbal tea formulations on the market that have proven their efficacy and safety. So, the future is for herbal medicine owing to people's psychology, minimum adverse reactions, and lower cost. The pharmaceutical manufacturing of herbal tea formulations should be encouraged to use them as add-on therapy or healthy daily beverages at least.

Natural Compounds as Target Biomolecules in Cellular Adhesion and Migration: From Biomolecular Stimulation to Label-Free Discovery and Bioactivity-Based Isolation

Article

Full-text available

Nov 2021

Plants and fungi can be used for medical applications because of their accumulation of special bioactive metabolites. These substances might be beneficial to human health, exerting also anti-inflammatory and anticancer (antiproliferative) effects. We propose that they are mediated by influencing cellular adhesion and migration via various signaling pathways and by directly inactivating key cell adhesion surface receptor sites. The evidence for this proposition is reviewed (by summarizing the natural metabolites and their effects influencing cellular adhesion and migration), along with the classical measuring techniques used to gain such evidence. We systematize existing knowledge concerning the mechanisms of how natural metabolites affect adhesion and movement, and their role in gene expression as well. We conclude by highlighting the possibilities to screen natural compounds faster and more easily by applying new label-free methods, which also enable a far greater degree of quantification than the conventional methods used hitherto. We have systematically classified recent studies regarding the effects of natural compounds on cellular adhesion and movement, characterizing the active substances according to their organismal origin (plants, animals or fungi). Finally, we also summarize the results of recent studies and experiments on SARS-CoV-2 treatments by natural extracts affecting mainly the adhesion and entry of the virus.

Ethyl acetate extract from Cistus x incanus L. leaves enriched in myricetin and quercetin derivatives, inhibits inflammatory mediators and activates Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2020
Z NATURFORSCH C

Cistus x incanus L. is a Mediterranean evergreen shrub used in folk medicine for the treatment of inflammatory disorders but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. We therefore investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of an ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) from C. x incanus L. leaves on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. HPLC analysis revealed myricetin and quercetin derivatives to be the major compounds in EAF; EAF up to 1 µM of total phenolic content, was not cytotoxic and inhibited the mRNA expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) (p < 0.05) and the production of prostaglandins E2 (PGE2) (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, EAF triggered the mRNA expression of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and elicited the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), as well as the expression of its main target gene, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) (p < 0.05). These data indicate that EAF attenuates experimental inflammation via the inhibition of proinflammatory mediators and at least in part, by the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. These effects are likely due to myricetin and quercetin derivatives but the role of other, less abundant components cannot be excluded. Further studies to confirm the relevance of our findings in animal models and to highlight the relative contribution of each component to the anti-inflammatory activity of EAF should be conducted.

Seasonal and Diurnal Variation in Leaf Phenolics of Three Medicinal Mediterranean Wild Species: What Is the Best Harvesting Moment to Obtain the Richest and the Most Antioxidant Extracts?

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2020
MOLECULES

Mediterranean plants biosynthesize high amounts of polyphenols, which are important health-promoting compounds. Leaf polyphenolic composition changes according to environmental conditions. Therefore, it is crucial to know the temporal variation in their production. This study aimed to: i) evaluate the monthly and daily changes in polyphenols of Phyllirea latifolia, Cistus incanus, and Pistacia lentiscus to identify their best harvesting moment, ii) verify the possible correlations between phenolic production and temperature and irradiation, iii) evaluate their antioxidant capacity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radical (OH)scavenging assays. The extracts of leaves harvested at 8:00, 13:00 and 18:00, in May, July, and October for two years were analysed by HPLC-DAD. Both “month” and “time of the day” affected the polyphenolic content in all species. July at 13:00 was the best harvesting moment for all polyphenolic classes of P. latifolia and only for some classes of C. incanus and P. lentiscus. Environmental parameters positively correlated with the polyphenols of C. incanus and P. latifolia, while the antioxidant capacity only varied in this last species, reaching the highest value in July. Results of the study allow to determine the balsamic time for each species. Moreover, the relationship between polyphenols and environmental data can be useful for the cultivation of these plants under controlled conditions.

Anti-Influenza activity of compounds derived from medicinal plants (Part I)

Article

Jul 2024

This review (I part) presents an analysis of publications devoted to the ant-viral antiinfluenza activity of medicinal plants. It has shown that 63 species are found to be promising sources for obtaining anti-influenza drugs. Their roots, stems, leaves and fruits contain different chemical compounds inhibiting reproduction of influenza virus, both in vitro and in vivo. These compounds have different mechanisms of action. Some of them act upon components of the viral particle, others upon signaling pathways in the host cells. The first part of our review focuses on 28 species.

Polyphenols as Therapeutics in Respiratory Diseases: Moving from Preclinical Evidence to Potential Clinical Applications

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Jun 2024
INT J BIOL SCI

Respiratory diseases are the most common and severe health complication and a leading cause of death worldwide. Despite breakthroughs in diagnosis and treatment, few safe and effective therapeutics have been reported. Phytochemicals are gaining popularity due to their beneficial effects and low toxicity. Polyphenols are secondary metabolites with high molecular weights found at high levels in natural food sources such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and citrus seeds. Over recent decades, polyphenols and their beneficial effects on human health have been the subject of intense research, with notable successes in preventing major chronic non-communicable diseases. Many respiratory syndromes can be treated effectively with polyphenolic supplements, including acute lung damage, pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, pulmonary hypertension, and lung cancer. This review summarizes the role of polyphenols in respiratory conditions with sufficient experimental data, highlights polyphenols with beneficial effects for each, and identifies those with therapeutic potential and their underlying mechanisms. Moreover, clinical studies and future research opportunities in this area are discussed.

Phytocompounds as a source for the development of new drugs to treat respiratory viral infections

Chapter

Jan 2023

Natural Products for the Prevention and Treatment of Common Cold and Viral Respiratory Infections

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Full-text available

Apr 2023

The common cold is generally considered a usually harmless infectious disease of the upper respiratory pathway, with mostly mild symptoms. However, it should not be overlooked, as a severe cold can lead to serious complications, resulting in hospitalization or death in vulnerable patients. The treatment of the common cold remains purely symptomatic. Analgesics as well as oral antihistamines or decongestants may be advised to relieve fever, and local treatments can clear the airways and relieve nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, or sneezing. Certain medicinal plant specialties can be used as therapy or as complementary self-treatment. Recent scientific advances discussed in more detail in this review have demonstrated the plant’s efficiency in the treatment of the common cold. This review presents an overview of plants used worldwide in the treatment of cold diseases.

In Vitro Anti-Influenza Virus Activity of Non-Polar Primula veris subsp. veris Extract

Article

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Dec 2022

Medicinal plants have long been recognized as a tremendous source of candidate compounds for the development of pharmaceuticals, including anti-viral agents. Herein, we report the identification of anti-influenza virus activity in non-polar Primula veris L. subsp. veris extracts. We show that P. veris subsp. veris flower extracts, obtained using supercritical fluid or ultrasound-based extraction, possess virucidal/virus inactivation properties and confer prophylactic and therapeutic effects against influenza virus-induced cytolysis in vitro. By GC-MS and UPLC-HRMS analysis of non-polar P. veris subsp. veris extracts we identified terpenes, flavones, tocopherols, and other classes of phytochemicals with known or putative anti-influenza properties. In silico prediction of cellular functions and molecular pathways affected by these phytochemicals suggests putative effects on signal transduction, inflammasome, and cell death pathways that are relevant to influenza virus pathogenesis. Combining P. veris subsp. veris with extracts of medicinal plants with proven anti-influenza activity such as Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench and Cistus creticus L. subsp. creticus achieves an impressive protective effect against infection by influenza virus H1N1 in vitro and reduced progeny virus production by infected cells. Collectively, these findings uncover a previously uncharted biological property of non-polar P. veris flower extracts that warrants further studies to assess clinical efficacy.

Elderberries—A Source of Bioactive Compounds with Antiviral Action

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Mar 2022

In the current context, when more and more unknown pathogens appear, healthy eating and supplementing it with natural products play an increasingly important role in maintaining the health of the body. The European black elder (Sambucus nigra), found in abundance in the spontaneous flora, can provide us, as a raw material, elderberries, which have been known for thousands of years as having nutritional and healing properties. The phytotherapeutic principles found in elderberry fruits give them antiviral, antibacterial and antidiabetic properties, antitumor potential, antioxidant, antidepressant and immune boosting properties, as well as a certain impacts on obesity and metabolic dysfunctions. Polyphenols and lectins give elderberry fruits the ability to inhibit coronaviruses, which is a topic of great interest in our times. This article summarizes the existing data regarding the chemical composition, active principles and biopharmaceutical properties of elderberries, as well as their use.

Cistus × Incanus L. Pandalis Is Highly Effective Against Delta Variant of SARS-CoV-2 in Vitro

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2021

Jens-Martin Träder

Molecular Docking Analysis of Some Bioactive Molecules of Cistus incanus Against SARS CoV-2

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2021

Coronavirus disease affects all the world with the pandemic way that we are still living. The fight against the disease continues with vaccination all over the world. Considering the protection time and the difficulties in attaining the vaccine, in order to be successful in fighting against the disease, we need drugs that enable to kill or hinder replication of the viruses. In drug studies, after analyzing the effect of phytochemicals on the viruses, isolated phytochemical is modified in order to synthesize a more effective molecule. It is not possible to analyze the anti-viral activity of each isolated molecule by in-vitro methods, and in-silico methods can help to overcome this problem. Cistus incanus is a plant whose anti-viral activity has been confirmed by previous trials on many viruses. In this study, the interaction of myricetin 3-O-hexoside, myricitrin, quercitrin and kaempferol 3-O-rutinocide which were detected in the Cistus incanus, were analyzed by molecular docking methods with papain-like protease and main protease crystal. Strong H-bonds were detected between the investigated molecules and papain-like protease and main protease.

Influence of In Vitro Human Digestion Simulation on the Phenolics Contents and Biological Activities of the Aqueous Extracts from Turkish Cistus Species

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2021
MOLECULES

Oxidative stress is one of the significant precursors of various metabolic diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, etc. Various scientific reports have indicated that secondary plant metabolites play an important role in preventing oxidative stress and its harmful effects. In this respect, this study was planned to investigate the phenolic profile and antioxidant and antidiabetic potentials of the aqueous extracts from Turkish Cistus species by employing in vitro methods. In vitro digestion simulation procedure was applied to all extracts to estimate the bioavailability of their phenolic contents. Total phenolic, flavonoid, phenolic acid and proanthocyanidin contents were determined for all phases of digestion. In addition, changes in the quantity of the assigned marker flavonoids (tiliroside, hyperoside and quercitrin) were monitored by High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) analysis. The antioxidant activity potentials of the extracts were studied by various methods to reveal their detailed activity profiles. On the other hand, in vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes and advanced-glycation end product (AGE) inhibitory activities of the extracts were determined to evaluate the antidiabetic potentials of extracts. The results showed that aqueous extracts obtained from the aerial parts of Turkish Cistus species have rich phenolic contents and potential antioxidant and antidiabetic activities; however, their bioactivity profiles and marker flavonoid concentrations might significantly be affected by human digestion. The results exhibited that total phenolic contents, antioxidant activities and diabetes-related enzyme inhibitions of the bioavailable samples were lower than non-digested samples in all extracts.

Türkiye'nin Virüs Savar Bitkisi Laden (Cistus spp.) Türleri: Geleneksel Kullanımları, Biyoaktif Kimyasal Bileşenleri ve Farmakolojik Aktiviteleri * Rockrose (Cistus spp.) Species as Turkey's Virus Repellent Plants: Traditional Uses, Bioactive Chemical Components and Pharmacological Activities

Presentation

Full-text available

May 2021

ABSTRACT Cistus (Rockrose) species from the Cistaceae family; perennial, bush-shaped, with white or pink flowers, generally spread in the Middle East Mediterranean (except France and Iberian Peninsula), North Africa and Western Asia. C. creticus L. (sinonim Cistus x incanus subsp. creticus (L.) Hetwood), C. salviifolius L., C. parviflorus Lam., C. monspeliensis L. and C. laurifolius L. species, growing naturally in Turkey flora, have economic and industrial importance. Cistus species are traditionally known as ‘laden’, ‘laden otu’, ‘kaya gülü’, ‘pamukla’, ‘pamukluk’, ‘pamuk otu’, ‘davşanotu’, ‘karağan’ and ‘tavşançalısı’ in different parts of Turkey. Leaves, flowers, seeds, resin and essential oils of Rockrose species have been traditionally used for centuries as infusions for laxative, stimulant, expectorant, treatment of stomach and rheumatic diseases as well as preventive and therapeutic against microorganism infections in the Anatolian folk medicine. Cistus species have quite different phytochemical contents such as quercetin, myricetin, kaempferol, kaempferol-3-methyl ether, apigenin, luteolin, aesculin, flavan-3-ol and proanthocyanidin, and there are many scientific studies reporting that they possess antiviral, antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and antidiabetic properties. In this review; traditional uses, phytochemical compositions, pharmacokinetics, pharmacological and biological activities of Cistus species, one of the most important antiviral plants in Anatolian traditional medicine, are presented in the light of scientific literature. Keywords: Cistus spp., Rockrose, Medicinal plant, Antiviral, Anatolian Folk Medicine

Article

Full-text available

May 2021

Türkiye’nin Virüs Savar Bitkisi Laden (Cistus spp.) Türleri: Geleneksel Kullanımları, Biyoaktif Kimyasal Bileşenleri ve Farmakolojik Aktiviteleri

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2021

Cistaceae familyasından olan Cistus (Laden) türleri; çok yıllık, çalı formunda, beyaz veya pembe çiçekli, genellikle Orta Doğu Akdeniz (Fransa ve İber Yarımadası hariç), Kuzey Afrika ve Batı Asya’da yayılım gösteren bitki türleridir. C. creticus L. (sinonim Cistus x incanus subsp. creticus (L.) Hetwood), C. salviifolius L., C. parviflorus Lam., C. monspeliensis L. ve C. laurifolius L. türleri Türkiye florasında doğal olarak yetişmekte olan, ekonomik ve endüstriyel öneme sahip laden taksonlarıdır. Bu bitkiler; halk arasında ‘laden’, ‘laden otu’, ‘kaya gülü’, ‘pamukla’, ‘pamukluk’, ‘pamuk otu’, ‘davşanotu’, ‘karağan’ ve ‘tavşançalısı’ olarak bilinmektedir. Laden türlerinin yaprakları, çiçekleri, tohumları rezin ve uçucu yağları; Anadolu Halk Hekimliğinde, infüzyon halinde kabızlık giderici, uyarıcı, balgam söktürücü, mide ve romatizmal hastalıkların tedavisinde, ayrıca mikroorganizma enfeksiyonlarına karşı koruyucu ve tedavi edici olarak yüzyıllardır geleneksel olarak kullanılmaktadır. Cistus türleri ihtiva ettikleri quercetin, myricetin, kaempferol, kaempferol-3-metil eter, apigenin, luteolin, aesculin, flavan-3-ol ve proantosiyanidin gibi oldukça farklı fitokimyasal içeriğe sahip olup, içerdiği bu doğal bileşikler sayesinde tıp alanında kullanımlarına yönelik antiviral, antimikrobiyal, antifungal, antioksidan, antienflamatuvar, antispazmodik ve antidiyabetik özelliklere sahip olduğunu rapor eden birçok bilimsel çalışma bulunmaktadır. Bu derlemede; ülkemizin en önemli virüs savar bitkilerinden olan Cistus türlerinin Anadolu geleneksel halk hekimliğindeki kullanımlarının yanı sıra; fitokimyasal bileşimleri, farmakokinetikleri, farmakolojik ve biyolojik aktiviteleri bilimsel veriler ışığında kapsamlı olarak sunulmuştur.

Characteristics, therapeutic and health-promoting potential of Cistus × incanus L.

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2020

One of the modern nutritional trends is to enthusiastically look for natural products that can be considered functional food and be a source of ingredients with a health-promoting effect. Today, many food manufacturers offer Cistus × incanus leaves to prepare common self-preparations (e.g., infusions) or as ready-to-use dietary supplements. Cistus × incanus (rock rose, pink rock-rose, hoary rock-rose), belonging to the family Cistaceae, is widespread in Mediterranean countries. For many years, cistus extracts and its aromatic resin have been used in traditional Middle East medicine to treat, among others, colds, fever, stomach problems, and skin wounds. In past years, this plant was rediscovered by the public. Due to the growing popularity of Cistus products, the most recent scientific literature on this subject is reviewed here. This article aims to present the latest research results on the phytochemical composition of Cistus × incanus and the impact of its consumption on human health. Particular emphasis is put on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antiproliferative activities and support of digestive system functions. Studies have shown that the main active ingredients of Cistus × incanus are flavonoid compounds, including flavonol glycosides (myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol), flavan-3-ols, and tannins. It was demonstrated that the presence of these compounds determines the therapeutic and health-promoting properties of cistus leaves and its products. That applies primarily to a strong antioxidant effect, which may reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Cistus preparations are also recommended as immunostimulants, supporting the treatment of bacterial and viral infections. Labdanum oleoresin and essential oil are a valuable source of substances with strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which can be used in the future in the production of pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations, and also serve as a natural food preservative.

The Relevance of Complementary and Integrative Medicine in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Review of the Literature

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2020

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic people are facing risks of adverse health effects due to the restrictions implemented such as quarantine measures, reduced social contact, and self-isolation. In this qualitative review, we collected data on potential preventive and therapeutic health benefits of Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CIM) that might be useful during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have reviewed the scientific literature to summarize CIM practices that could be beneficial for improving physical and mental health and well-being of the population under the current pandemic circumstances. It must be noted that this review is not SARS-CoV-2 specific and we explicitly do not intend to make any SARS-CoV-2 specific health claims in this article. Methods and Findings: A qualitative, non-systematic literature review was conducted in Medline to identify literature describing preventive and therapeutic CIM approaches for strengthening mental and physical health. For a variety of CIM approaches clinical evidence was identified, indicating beneficial effects. CIM approaches include specific dietary measures and selected micronutrients, physical activity, techniques from Mind-Body Medicine, single botanicals or botanical compounds, and spending time in nature among others. The effects of CIM measures on conditions like obesity and hypertension are of special relevance here, as these conditions are considered as risk factors for a severe course of COVID-19. Moreover, a possibly direct effect of CIM approaches on immune functions and clinical parameters in respiratory tract infections, such as influenza, were identified. The findings of this review could be helpful for clinicians, patients, and the general population during the current pandemic when discussing and/or considering CIM options. Conclusions: CIM offers a variety of preventive and therapeutic options for strengthening physical and mental resilience, which could also be useful in the current COVID-19 pandemic. The evidence of CIM approaches with a potential benefit in the COVID-19 pandemic in different areas is worth to be analyzed. While this qualitative review has several obvious limitations, it might serve as useful starting point for further research on this topic.

Mechanisms of Antiviral Activity of Cistus Salviifolius Extract Against Human Respiratory Viruses

Article

Nov 2020
Antibiot Chemother

Influenza and ARVIs are the most common forms of infectious respiratory diseases in humans. In this regard, the search and development of means for the prevention and treatment of viral infections is a high priority task. The aim of this study was to assess the mechanisms of the antiviral activity of sage-leaved rock-rose extract (Cistus salviifolius) against the causative agents of influenza and ARVIs in humans. In the course of the study, it was shown that C.salviifolius extract inhibits reproduction of influenza viruses A(H1N1), A (H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2), A(H5N2), A(H7N9) and influenza B virus. The extract showed maximum virus-inhibiting activity at the early stages of the viral cycle (0–2 hours after infection). C.salviifolius extract significantly reduced the hemagglutinating activity of the virus, and at the same time did not affect the fusogenic properties of viral hemagglutinin. Transmission electron microscopy was used to demonstrate that the cistus extract prevents the absorption of influenza virions on the surface of cells in culture. The inhibitory activity of the extract against other human respiratory viruses, parainfluenza virus and adenovirus, was also shown. The protective activity of C.salviifolius extract was demonstrated when applied intranasally during the experiments on a model of influenza pneumonia in mice. The degree of this activity was in inverse proportion to the time window between the application of the extract and the infection of the animals. The virus, pre-incubated with C.salviifolius extract, did not cause death in the animals. The data obtained indicate that C.salviifolius extract serves as an effective and broad-range means of preventing respiratory viral infections in humans.

Covid-19 suite et… Fin ?

Article

Aug 2020

P. Goetz

Isolation and structure elucidation of cistusin: A new ellagitannin from Cistus × incanus L. leaves

Article

Dec 2020
IND CROP PROD

The leaves of Cistus × incanus L. (pink rock-rose) are used as plant material rich in antioxidants by the pharmaceutical and food industry. The main components which occur in pink rock-rose are polyphenols, especially flavonoids (glycosides of flavonols) and tannins (proanthocyanidins and ellagitannins). Derivatives of flavonols and flavan-3-ols as bioactive compounds of this species were identified previously. However, the full composition of ellagitannins has not been characterized yet. In this context, the study aimed to characterize the chemical composition of pink rock-rose ellagitannins and to identify and elucidate structures of major compounds from this group. In conclusion, the new ellagitannin cistusin together with well-known terflavin A and punicalagin from C. incanus leaves were isolated. Their structures, including the gallagyl, flavogallonyl, valoneoyl, and hexahydroxydiphenoyl acyl groups, were revealed by spectroscopic evidence (HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D-NMR).

Covid-19: Überlegungen zu Voraussetzungen von phytotherapeutischen Empfehlungen

Article

Aug 2020

Zusammenfassung In der Beratung von Patienten stellen sich sowohl wegen der Möglichkeit einer zweiten Welle sowie der Langzeitprophylaxe insbesondere für Risikopersonen für naturheilkundlich praktizierende Ärzte weiterhin zwei Fragen: Gibt es Möglichkeiten einer primären Prävention im Sinne einer Abhärtung, durch pflanzliche Immunstimulantien, Adaptogene etc.? Und kann man leichtere Infektionen durch Atemwegstherapeutika günstig beeinflussen? Dieser Artikel soll vorläufige Empfehlungen zur Phytotherapie geben. Wir sind uns sehr wohl der Problematik bewusst, dass sich diese zunächst sowohl in der präklinischen wie in der klinischen Evaluation nur an Analogiemodellen orientieren können. Verschiedene Aspekte zu präklinischen Ergebnissen waren bereits in Heft 2 / 2020 dieser Zeitschrift vorgestellt worden 1. Wir schließen mit einem Ausblick auf die Möglichkeiten und Schwierigkeiten prospektiver klinischer Forschung mit Phytopharmaka.

Phytotherapeutic options for the treatment of COVID ‐19: A concise viewpoint

Article

Aug 2020

Deubiquitinating Enzymes in Coronaviruses and Possible Therapeutic Opportunities for COVID-19

Article

Full-text available

May 2020
INT J MOL SCI

Following the outbreak of novel severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus (CoV)2, the majority of nations are struggling with countermeasures to fight infection, prevent spread and improve patient survival. Considering that the pandemic is a recent event, no large clinical trials have been possible and since coronavirus specific drug are not yet available, there is no strong consensus on how to treat the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) associated viral pneumonia. Coronaviruses code for an important multifunctional enzyme named papain-like protease (PLP), that has many roles in pathogenesis. First, PLP is one of the two viral cysteine proteases, along with 3-chymotripsin-like protease, that is responsible for the production of the replicase proteins required for viral replication. Second, its intrinsic deubiquitinating and deISGylating activities serve to antagonize the host’s immune response that would otherwise hinder infection. Both deubiquitinating and deISGylating functions involve the removal of the small regulatory polypeptides, ubiquitin and ISG15, respectively, from target proteins. Ubiquitin modifications can regulate the innate immune response by affecting regulatory proteins, either by altering their stability via the ubiquitin proteasome pathway or by directly regulating their activity. ISG15 is a ubiquitin-like modifier with pleiotropic effects, typically expressed during the host cell immune response. PLP inhibitors have been evaluated during past coronavirus epidemics, and have showed promising results as an antiviral therapy in vitro. In this review, we recapitulate the roles of PLPs in coronavirus infections, report a list of PLP inhibitors and suggest possible therapeutic strategies for COVID-19 treatment, using both clinical and preclinical drugs.

Cistus incanus L. as an Innovative Functional Additive to Wheat Bread

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2019

Cistus incanus L. (CI) has been proposed as an innovative functional supplement of food products, and hence the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the addition of dried CI on the properties of bread. Bread was prepared from white wheat flour supplemented with the addition of 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5% of ground CI. After the completion of baking process, various characteristics of the obtained bread product, such as yield, volume, porosity, acidity, color, and texture, were evaluated. In addition, total phenolic content (TPC), ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity, chelating power (CHEL), and ability to quench OH∙ radicals were measured. The results showed that the addition of CI to bread caused a reduction in the volume of bread, but texture of the crumbs was acceptable. Acidity and moisture content of bread were found to be increased following CI enrichment. Significant changes in the ash content and the color of bread crumbs were also observed. Bread incorporated with CI was characterized by significantly higher TPC and much higher antioxidant activity, as measured by ABTS, CHEL, and OH∙ radicals, compared to control bread. Supplementation of bread with 3% CI produced a product with desirable characteristics which was also favored by consumers.

Antiviral Potential and In Silico Insights of Polyphenols as Sustainable Phytopharmaceuticals: A Comprehensive Review

Article

Dec 2024
CHEM BIODIVERS

Polyphenols, particularly flavonoids, are reported to have health‐promoting, disease‐preventing abilities, and several polyphenols have a wide spectrum of antiviral activities that can be explored for preventive and or therapeutic purposes. We have compiled the updated literature of diverse polyphenols active against common viral diseases, including Herpes, Hepatitis, influenza, rota, SARS‐corona‐viruses, etc. The antiviral activity of bioactive polyphenols depends on the hydroxyl and ester groups of polyphenol molecules, as compounds with five or more hydroxyl groups and three specific methoxy groups showed antiviral potential, like anti‐rabies activity. This comprehensive review will explore selective polyphenols isolated from common ethnomedicinal or food plants. Comparing bioactivities of structurally related polyphenols and using bioinformatics studies, we have explored the three most promising phyto‐antivirals, Chrysin, Resveratrol, and Quercetin available in many food and medicinal plants, where Quercetin showed a maximum interaction score with human genes. We also explore the intricate structure‐activity relationship between these polyphenols and virus pathogens with their mechanisms of antiviral action in selected virus models. Here, we report the promising potential of some phyto‐polyphenols in treating viral diseases through an in‐depth analysis of the structure and bioactivity of these compounds.

Plant resources for immunonutrients and immunomodulators to combat infectious respiratory viral diseases: a review

Article

Nov 2024

Boosting the immune system has become a crucial aspect in the global battle against the COVID-19 pandemic and other similar infections to protect oneself against symptoms, especially in the prevention of viral infections of the lower respiratory tract. The importance of conducting more studies to create successful herbal formulations as infection prevention measures is emphasized in this review, which looks at the function of immune-boosting nutrients, medicinal plants, and herbal treatments. We reviewed and analyzed 207 studies published from 1946 to the present using reputable databases like Google Scholar, PubMed, and NCBI. The review examined 115 plant species in total and identified 12 key nutrients, including vitamins A, D, C, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and zinc, while noting that four plant families, Rosaceae, Asteraceae, Amaryllidaceae, and Acanthaceae, show potential against respiratory infections like influenza, RSV, and SARS-CoV. To lower the risk of infection, it is recommended to consume nutritious meals that have immune-modulating qualities. Information on the bioactive components of medicinal herbs, spices, and plants that have been effective in treating respiratory viral infections and related conditions is compiled in this review, which highlights phytoactive substances with antibacterial and antiviral activity as effective modulators to lower the risk of infections. Furthermore, it is highlighted that ancient knowledge systems, like Ayurveda and Naturopathy, should be integrated to help develop new herbal formulations. To improve immunity and lessen vulnerability to serious respiratory infections, the results highlight the need for including immune-modulating foods and plant-based medicines into everyday routines.

Cistus×incanus L. – eine potente Heilpflanze zur Prävention auf vielen Ebenen

Article

Jun 2024

Peter W. Gündling

Zusammenfassung Zistrosengewächse (Cistaceae) sind in den letzten Jahren recht intensiv beforscht worden. Dabei standen Extrakte der Graubehaarten Zistrose (Cistus×incanus L.) aufgrund ihres hohen Gehaltes an Polyphenolen mit an erster Stelle. Die meisten dieser Arbeiten beschäftigen sich mit der Bestimmung dieser Polyphenole und ihrer Komponenten sowie deren antioxidativen Wirkungen. Auch neue Wirkmechanismen, wie antiinflammatorische, antiglykämische und lipidsenkende, konnten aufgezeigt werden. Und nicht zuletzt ist es auch das starke antivirale Potenzial, das bestimmte Subspezies auszeichnet und das eine wichtige Bedeutung in der Prophylaxe und Therapie von Infektionen hat.

Comparative Evaluation of Polyphenol Contents and Biological Activities of Five Cistus L. Species Native to Turkey

Article

May 2023

In this study phytochemical compounds and antioxidant capacity, cytotoxic, antimicrobial and anti‐biofilm activities of hydroethanolic extracts of five Cistus species (C. creticus L., C. laurifolius L., C. monspeliensis L., C. parviflorus Lam. and C. salviifolius L.) distributed in Turkey were investigated. (+)‐catechin, epigallocatechin gallate, quercetin‐3‐O‐rutinoside, quercetin‐3‐O‐glucoside, kaempferol‐3‐O‐glucoside, luteolin were detected in different amounts. Strongest antioxidant capacities were observed with C. creticus, and C. parvifolius (0.476 and 0.452 respectively). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the extracts were determined between 32 and 128 µg/mL against different bacteria and Candida strains. C. monspeliensis and C. laurifolius extracts were inhibited the biofilm production levels of three Gram‐negative bacteria (E. coli, S. enterica, P. aeruginosa), two Gram‐positive bacteria (S. aureus, B. subtilis) and three Candida strains (C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei). C. creticus extract showed strongest cytotoxic activity against human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF‐7) and prostate cell line (PC‐3) (IC50: 14.04 ± 2.78 µg/mL and 34.04 ± 2.74 µg/mL, respectively) among all plants tested.

Antioxidant and Antiglycation Effects of Cistus × incanus Water Infusion, Its Phenolic Components, and Respective Metabolites

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2022
MOLECULES

Reactive oxygen and carbonyl species promote oxidative and carbonyl stress, and the development of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, and others. The traditional herb Cistus × incanus is known for its antioxidant properties; therefore, the current study aimed to assess how the chemical composition of a C. incanus water infusion corresponds with its antioxidative and antiglycative effects in vitro. The composition of infusions prepared from commercial products was analyzed with UHPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS. Total phenolics, flavonoids, and non-flavonoid polyphenols were determined. Antioxidant activity of infusions and selected polyphenols was investigated using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP. Fluorometric measurements and methylglyoxal capture were performed to investigate the antiglycation activity. PCA and PLS-DA models were applied to explore the correlation between chemical and antioxidant results. The principal flavonoids in C. incanus were flavonols. In vitro tests revealed that a stronger antioxidant effect was demonstrated by plant material from Turkey rich in flavonoids, followed by Albania and Greece. Flavonols and ellagic acid displayed stronger antiradical and reducing power than EA-derived urolithins. Hyperoside was the most potent inhibitor of glycation. The results indicate that flavonoids are primarily responsible for rock rose antioxidant and antiglycation properties. PLS-DA modeling can be used to identify the origin of plant material with sensitivity and specificity exceeding 86%.

Early use of polyphenol-rich Cistus creticus extract containing nasopharyngeal spray is associated with significantly shorter duration of symptoms in mild COVID-19 patients: A retrospective case-control study. Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health Reports ( 2692-9899)

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2021

Komplementärmedizinische Therapieansätze bei viralen Atemwegsinfektionen

Technical Report

Full-text available

Dec 2020

Akute respiratorische Infektionserkrankungen werden überwiegend durch Erreger einer großen Gruppe von Viren verursacht, während bakterielle Primärinfektionen eine eher seltenere Rolle spielen. Letzteren kommt allerdings eine große Bedeutung bei Sekundärinfektionen zu, die sich im Rahmen komplikationsreicher Verläufe von Virusinfektionen entwickeln. Während die typische Influenza i.d.R. durch eine epidemische Ausbreitung gekennzeichnet ist, haben in der Vergangenheit zahlreiche andere Viren wie SARS-CoV, H5N1, H1N1 oder MERS-CoV Pandemien ausgelöst. Die meist milden Verläufe von Virusinfektionen des Respirationstraktes können je nach Erreger und Wirtsdisposition auch schwere oder sogar lebensbedrohliche Formen annehmen. Die Erfahrungen aus der Komplementärmedizin haben gezeigt, dass durch geeignete Maßnahmen gute Möglichkeiten bestehen, den Verlauf einer Infektionserkrankung positiv zu beeinflussen und die Entstehung von komplikationsreichen Verläufen zu reduzieren. In diesem Booklet werden sinnvolle und kontrollierbare Maßnahmen vorgestellt, die einerseits zu einer nachhaltigen Stärkung der körpereigenen Immunkompetenz führen und andererseits die Möglichkeit bieten, die lokale Viruslast zu senken.

Zistrosenextrakt zur Prophylaxe einer SARS-CoV-2-Infektion: Spezieller Extrakt aus Cistus × incanus L. in vitro auch gegen britische (B.1.1.7) und südafrikanische (B.1.351) SARS-CoV-2-Variante effektiv

Article

Aug 2021

Jens-Martin Träder

Zusammenfassung Untersuchungen haben gezeigt, dass sich ein spezieller Extrakt aus Cistus × incanus L. in vitro als effektiv gegen SARS-CoV-2 erwiesen hat. Da die enthaltenen hochpolymeren Polyphenole unspezifisch mit der Virusoberfläche interagieren und dadurch den Eintritt in die Zelle verhindern (Entry-Inhibitor), ist auch eine Wirkung gegen die neuen SARS-CoV-2-Varianten wahrscheinlich. Um dies zu verifizieren, wurde am Institut für Medizinische Virologie der Goethe-Universität in einem Zellmodell mit menschlichen Darmzellen (Caco-2) die Inhibition des cytopathischen Effekts (CPE) durch den Zistrosenextrakt untersucht. Es konnte eine fast vollständige Hemmung des Viruswachstums bei Konzentrationen von mehr als 100 µg/ml bei beiden Varianten beobachtet werden. Die errechnete EC50 (mittlere effektive Konzentration) liegt für die britische Variante (B.1.1.7) bei 48,9 µg/ml und für die südafrikanische Variante (B.1.351) bei 45,2 µg/ml. Aufgrund der hohen In-vitro-Aktivität auch gegen die neuen Varianten erscheint es sinnvoll, den Zistrosenextrakt lokal als Prophylaxe gegen Infektionen mit SARS-CoV-2 einzusetzen.

Antivirale Eigenschaften des Extrakts aus Cistus × incanus L. Pandalis auch bei SARS-CoV-2 in vitro nachgewiesen

Article

Apr 2021

Jens-Martin Träder

Zusammenfassung Da es noch keine zuverlässige Therapie und nicht in ausreichender Menge zugelassene Impfstoffe gegen SARS-CoV-2 gibt, sucht die Forschung nach vielversprechenden, wirksamen Substanzen, die bereits verfügbar sind. In dieser Studie soll untersucht werden, ob das pflanzliche Präparat Cystus Pandalis® in vitro antivirale Eigenschaften gegen SARS-CoV-2 aufweist, da es sich bereits gegen mehrere andere Viren als wirksam erwiesen hat. Am Fraunhofer Institut für Zelltherapie und Immunologie (IZI) wurden Zellkulturen unter Anwendung von Cystus Pandalis®-Extrakt (CPE) mit SARS-CoV-2 infiziert, und die Reduktion der Infektionsrate wurde durch den Vergleich von fokusbildenden Einheiten bewertet. Eine fast vollständige Reduktion der Infektionsrate durch CPE wurde bei Konzentrationen von mehr als 15,6 µg/ml mit einer berechneten EC50 von 1,94 µg/ml beobachtet. Der Wirkmechanismus dieses Extraktes beruht möglicherweise auf den hochpolymeren Polyphenolen, die bestimmte virale Epitope umhüllen, wodurch CPE als Eintrittsinhibitor wirkt. Aufgrund der hohen In-vitro-Aktivität erscheint es sinnvoll, CPE als Prophylaxe gegen Infektionen mit SARS-CoV-2 einzusetzen.

Antivirale Eigenschaften des Extrakts aus Cistus × incanus L. Pandalis bei SARS-CoV-2 in vitro nachgewiesen

Article

Feb 2021

Jens-Martin Träder

Zusammenfassung Da es noch keine zuverlässige Therapie gegen SARS-CoV-2 gibt, konzentriert sich die Forschung darauf, vielversprechende Substanzen zu finden, die bereits verfügbar sind. In dieser Studie soll untersucht werden, ob das pflanzliche Präparat Cystus Pandalis® in vitro antivirale Eigenschaften gegen SARS-CoV-2 aufweist, da es sich bereits gegen mehrere andere Viren als wirksam erwiesen hat. Am Fraunhofer Institut für Zelltherapie und Immunologie (IZI) wurden Zellkulturen unter Anwendung des Extrakts mit SARS-CoV-2 infiziert. Die Reduktion des Viruswachstums wurde durch den Vergleich von fokusbildenden Einheiten bewertet. Eine fast vollständige Hemmung des Viruswachstums durch den Extrakt wurde bei Konzentrationen von mehr als 15,6 µg/ml mit einer berechneten EC50 (mittlere effektive Konzentration) von 1,94 µg/ml beobachtet. Der Mechanismus dieses Extrakts beruht wahrscheinlich auf einer Wirkung der hochpolymeren Polyphenole. Man vermutet, dass der Extrakt bestimmte virale Strukturen umhüllt, wodurch diese Substanz als Eintrittsinhibitor wirkt. Aufgrund der hohen In-vitro-Aktivität erscheint es sinnvoll, den Extrakt als Prophylaxe gegen Infektionen mit SARS-CoV-2 einzusetzen.

Novel SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-2019 Outbreak: Current Perspectives on Plant-Based Antiviral Agents and Complementary Therapy

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2020

Novel SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-2019 Outbreak: Current Perspectives on Plant-Based Antiviral Agents and Complementary Therapy

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2020
INDIAN J PHARM EDUC

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused the novel Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has been defined as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020. The rapid global spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus as a global health emergency has emphasized to findeffective treatment strategies in clinical trials. The several drug trials including Lopinavir (LPV) and Ritonavir, Chloroquine (CLQ), Hydroxychloroquine, Favipiravir (FPV), Remdevisir (RDV), Nitazoxanide, Ivermectin and Interferon, have been explored in COVID-19 patients and some of the drugs have been waiting clinical approval for their anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities. Clinical trials are still ongoing to discover promising new multidrug combination treatment for COVID-19 patients. Considering the difficulties to ascertain efficient drug candidates and the lack of specific anti-viral therapies against COVID-19 outbreak, the current management of SARS-CoV-2 should mainly be supportive. From this point of view, enhancing the immune system through medicinal plants with wide range of bioactive compounds, which exhibit antiviral activities, can play significant roles to increase defense barrier in COVID-19 patients. On the other hand, plant-based agents as complementary and alternative therapies have potential advantages to reduce symptoms of this life-threatening disease and could promote the public health. Recently, there has been a remarkable progress in the field of antiviral herbal therapy owing to increasing concerns about the development of drug resistance and limited advances in the field of antiviral drug discovery. This review provides an overview of published information onbiology, genomic structure, replication cycle and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2. It also aims to assemble the fact and a scientific intellectual groundwork on development of antiviral herbal therapy on the bases of extensive literature collection.

mesmap-6 abstract and proceeding book 28.10.2020 final mr

Conference Paper

Full-text available

Oct 2020

Md. Atiar Rahman

STANDARDIZED Litsea glutinosa(Lour.) UPREGULATES mRNA EXPRESSION OF ANTIOXIDATUVE ENZYMES AND NORMALIZES IgE LEVELS TO CONTROL DIARRAHEAL INCIDENCES Prof. Dr.Atiar RahmanDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong-4331, Bangladesh*Corresponding Author Email: atiar@cu.ac.bd Medicinal plants have been paid an utmost attention for treating several different diseases due to their accessibility, availability, inherited practice, economic feasibility, and perceived efficacy. This research investigated how the antioxidative potentials of Litsea glutinosacontrols the diarrheal incidences in albino rat model. Extraction, standardization, purification and GC-MS analysis of L. glutinosa leaf were undertaken followed by an evaluation of antioxidative properties of the extract. Extract was further subjected to an inhibition assay for diarrhea-causing microorganism especially Salmonella paratyphi, Shgella dysenteriae, E. coliand Vibrio cholera. Apart from these, we endeavored for an intervention study on castor oil induced diarrhea and MgSO4 induced gastrointestinal motility tests in animal models of normal control, treatment and reference control. Compounds from L. glutinosawere interacted through a ligand-receptor interaction in chemico-biological simulation study. Results showed an worthy contents of total phenolic, total flavonoid,tannin and a pure oxoaporphine-derivative in association with promising DPPH free radical scavenging capacity, superoxide radical scavenging ability and iron chelating capacity which were statistically significant (p<0.05) compared to ascorbic acid and rutin. S. paratyphi, V. choleraand S. dysenteraewere significantly inhibited showing very remarkable inhibition zonescompared to Ciprofloxacin and Kanamycin. The extract significantly (P <0.05) rendered the antidiarrheal effect decreasing the total numberof wet feces produced upon administration of castor oil, total length of small intestine, and intraluminal fluid intake. Decrease of IgE and increase of electrolytes especially Na+, K+and Cl-in the treatment groups were found to be normalized compared to Loperamide group.Expressions of mRNA for superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and catalase (CAT) have been found to be increased multifold while glutathione peroxidase (GPx) remains unchanged. Occurrence of a pure oxoaporphine derivative and few antidiarrheal compounds from L. glutnosa support its antidiarrheal potential which has been justified with low binding energy for a Ligand-receptor interaction. These findings thereby demonstrate that L. glutionsa extract might potentiate in vivo antioxidative enzymes which play pivotal role to normalize the markers responsible for causing hypersecretorydiarrhea.Keywords: Superoxide dismutase, catalase, castor oil, diarrhea, gastrointestinal motility MESMAP –6 ABSTRACTS & PROCEEDINGS BOOK15 –17 October 2020, Turkeywww.mesmap.com14INVITED SPEAKERREGULATORY EXPRESSION OF MURINE CYP1A1 BYANDROGRAPHOLIDE AN ACTIVE CONSTITUENTIN Andrographis paniculataProf. Dr. K

Novel SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-2019 Outbreak: Current Perspectives on Plant-Based Antiviral Agents and Complementary Therapy

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2020

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused the novel Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has been defined as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020. The rapid global spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus as a global health emergency has emphasized to findeffective treatment strategies in clinical trials. The several drug trials including Lopinavir (LPV) and Ritonavir, Chloroquine (CLQ), Hydroxychloroquine, Favipiravir (FPV), Remdevisir (RDV), Nitazoxanide, Ivermectin and Interferon, have been explored in COVID-19 patients and some of the drugs have been waiting clinical approval for their anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities. Clinical trials are still ongoing to discover promising new multidrug combination treatment for COVID-19 patients. Considering the difficulties to ascertain efficient drug candidates and the lack of specific anti-viral therapies against COVID-19 outbreak, the current management of SARS-CoV-2 should mainly be supportive. From this point of view, enhancing the immune system through medicinal plants with wide range of bioactive compounds, which exhibit antiviral activities, can play significant roles to increase defense barrier in COVID-19 patients. On the other hand, plant-based agents as complementary and alternative therapies have potential advantages to reduce symptoms of this life-threatening disease and could promote the public health. Recently, there has been a remarkable progress in the field of antiviral herbal therapy owing to increasing concerns about the development of drug resistance and limited advances in the field of antiviral drug discovery. This review provides an overview of published information onbiology, genomic structure, replication cycleand pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2. It also aims to assemble the fact and a scientific intellectual groundwork on development of antiviral herbal therapy on the bases of extensive literature collection.

Koronavirüs Pandemisi ve Türkiye'nin Bazı Şifalı Bitkileri Coronavirus Pandemic and Some Turkish Medicinal Plants

Article

Full-text available

May 2020

Coronavirus Pandemic and Some Turkish Medicinal Plants

Article

Mar 2020

Çin'de başlayan ve pek çok ülkeye yayılan Covid-19, ‘Koronavirüs Pandemisi’ olarak dünya çapında bütün insanlığı tehdit eden bir salgın hastalık haline gelmiştir. Virüsün insandan insana hızlıca bulaşması ve yüksek ölüm oranına sahip olması, standart terapi protokollerinin geliştirilmesi ve onaylanması için acil bir ihtiyaç ortaya çıkarmıştır. Etkili tedavi stratejilerinin geliştirilebilmesi için; virüsün yapısal özellikleri, biyolojisi ve konak hücredeki enfeksiyon mekanizmaları tam olarak bilinmelidir. Şimdiye kadar, Kovid-19'un tam bir etkili tedavisi bilinmemekle birlikte, olası antiviral ilaçların klinik deneme ve değerlendirmeleri devam etmektedir. Tıbbi bitkiler glikozitler, saponinler, flavonoidler, proantosiyanidinler, terpenoidler, fenil propanoidler, tanenler, reçineler, lignanlar, sülfitler, polifenolikler, kumarinler, furil bileşikleri, alkaloidler ve uçucu yağlar olmak üzere çok çeşitli aktif fitokimyasal bileşikler ihtiva ettiklerinden dolayı pek çok hastalıkta olduğu gibi viral kaynaklı hastalıklarda da konakçının bağışıklık sistemini güçlendirerek antiviral etki göstermektedir. Yaygın olarak kullanılan bazı yenilebilir yabani bitkilerin, baharatların ve bitkisel çayların çeşitli virüslere karşı güçlü antiviral aktivite gösterdikleri dahası, bunlardan bazılarının farklı tür koronavirüs kaynaklı hastalıklarda da kullanılma potansiyelinde olan fito-antiviral ajanlar oldukları önceki çalışmalarda ortaya konulmuştur. Bu derlemede ise; bağışıklık sistemini güçlendirici, hastalıklara karşı koruyucu ve tedavi edici olarak Türkiye’de geleneksel kullanıma sahip olan laden türleri (Cistus spp.), bazı kekik türleri (Origanum, Thymus ve Thymbra), meyan kökü (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) ve zeytin yaprağı (Olea europea L.) bitki türleri ve bunlardan elde edilecek biyoaktif bileşiklerin koronavirüs enfeksiyonları ile mücadelede bitkisel kaynaklı doğal terapötikler olarak kullanılma potansiyelleri güncel literatür bilgileri ışığında sunulmuştur.

Phytotherapic compounds against coronaviruses: Possible streams for future research

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2020

Recently, an epidemic disease outbreak caused by a novel human coronavirus has surged worldwide. Our aim is to briefly describe the potential help of phytotherapy research in finding new integrative therapeutic options against human coronaviruses, and to provide researchers with some essential hints to be used for planning future studies. Existing evidence mostly derives from laboratory studies, whereas clinical data have been only collected for multi‐component formulations used in Traditional Chinese Medicine in addition to standard care. Herbs with anti‐viral properties like Glycyrrhiza glabra, Scutellaria baicalensis, Sambucus nigra, Pelargonium sidoides, or Cistus incanus, as well as herbal remedies with immune boosting effects like Astragalus membranaceus or Echinacea purpurea may all appear interesting options to study. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Characterization of Cistus × incanus L. and Cistus ladanifer L. Extracts as Potential Multifunctional Antioxidant Ingredients for Skin Protecting Cosmetics

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2020

Skin is constantly exposed to harmful environmental factors, causing photo-oxidative stress in cells and leading to the development of health and aesthetic problems. Multifunctional ingredients of everyday skincare products, possessing antioxidant, UV-protecting, anti-hyperpigmentation, and skin cancer-preventing properties are in high demand. Due to the high content of polyphenolic compounds Cistus × incanus L. and Cistus ladanifer L. are potentially interesting sources of cosmetic ingredients with multiple skin protecting functions. In this study eight extracts from dried C. incanus and C. ladanifer-aerial parts were prepared using 60% (v/v) or 100% (v/v) methanol, on a magnetic stirrer or in Soxhlet apparatus, and compared for their content of phytochemicals and properties important for the skin protection. Extracts from C. incanus prepared in 60% (v/v) methanol contained the highest amount of polyphenolic compounds (331.82-347.27 mg GAE/g DW) and showed the most significant antioxidant activity (IC50 = 3.81-4.05 µg/mL). C. incanus extracts were also effective tyrosinase inhibitors (30-70% inhibition at 100 µg/mL). Statistical correlation analysis revealed that epicatechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and myricitrin may be responsible for the antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory potential of C. incanus extracts. All analyzed extracts were cytotoxic for human melanoma cells A375 (IC50 = 57.80-199.01 µg/mL), with C. incanus extract prepared in 100% (v/v) methanol using Soxhlet extraction being the most effective. The extracts did not significantly impair the growth of noncancerous human keratinocytes HaCaT. C. incanus and C. ladanifer extracts possess also natural sun protecting activity (SPF 3.42-3.77 at 100 µg/mL), enhancing their anti-hyperpigmentation and anti-melanoma potential.

Cistus incanus L. as an Innovative Functional Additive to Wheat Bread

Preprint

Full-text available

Jul 2019

Cistus incanus L. (CI) has been proposed as an innovative functional supplement of food products, and hence the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the addition of dried CI on the properties of bread. Bread was prepared from white wheat flour supplemented with the addition of 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5% of ground CI. After the completion of baking process, various characteristics of the obtained bread product, such as yield, volume, porosity, acidity, color, and texture, were evaluated. In addition, total phenolic content (TPC), ABTS radical scavenging activity, CHEL chelating power, and ability to quench OH∙ radicals were measured. The results showed that the addition of CI to bread caused a reduction in the volume of bread, but texture of the crumbs was acceptable. Acidity and moisture content of bread were found to be increased following CI enrichment. Significant changes in the ash content and the color of bread crumbs were also observed. Bread incorporated with CI was characterized by significantly higher TPC and much higher antioxidant activity, as measured by ABTS, CHEL, and OH∙ radicals, compared to control bread. Supplementation of bread with 3% CI produced a product with desirable characteristics which was also favored by consumers.

Effect of Cistus laurifolius L. flowers on gastric and duodenal lesions

Article

Full-text available

Mar 1997
J ETHNOPHARMACOL

The flowers and flower buds of Cistus laurifolius L. are used for the treatment of peptic ulcers. Through the bioassay-guided fractionation of the material, using water immersion and immobilisation-induced stress ulcer model, the EtOH-precipitated part from the aqueous extract (E-H2O decreases) was determined to be the active fraction. For the evaluation of the mode of action, the activity of E-H2O decreases was tested using various ulcer models in rats and mice and this fraction was found active against pylorus ligation-, abs. ethanol-, indomethacin-, indomethacin plus HCl/EtOH-induced gastric and cysteamine-induced duodenal lesions while ineffective against serotonin-induced gastric lesions. The active fraction showed its activity not only on per os administration but also after subcutanous injection. According to the results of biochemical studies, the active fraction showed a potent antiacid activity. In addition, histopathological, and toxicological studies were conducted with the active fraction.

Antibacterial and antifungal activities of Cistus incanus and C. monspeliensis leaf extracts

Article

Full-text available

Nov 1999

In this study, the antimicrobial activity of leaf extracts obtained from two species of genus Cistus L. was examined in vitro against five strains of bacteria and five strains of fungi. The species studied are Cistus villosus L. = incanus and Cistus monspeliensis L. All extracts showed inhibitory activity against microorganisms. These results encourage us towards further biological investigation.

Winter mortality in elderly people in Britain - Outdoor exposure and effect of windchill should be taken into consideration

Article

Full-text available

Nov 2004
Br Med J

Alan Woodall

Editor—The study by Wilkinson et al, reporting a lack of effect socioeconomic gradient on excess winter mortality, contributes much to the debate seeking the best means to address this major public health issue.1 Currently, the UK government make a substantial financial payment to elderly people, the “winter fuel payment,” in an attempt to address fuel poverty, but it is becoming increasingly clear that other personal factors, such as outdoor exposure to low temperature, may play a large part in determining risk. risk. Figure 1 I have two hypothetical questions. Firstly, could the excess mortality in women be related to their being more likely to spend time outdoors in low temperatures, as in this age group it is still likely that they would bear the brunt of domestic tasks such as shopping? Secondly, does the measure of air temperature used accurately reflect the temperature experienced by the individual, given that windchill is a major component of environmental exposure? If the data were re-analysed to include windchill effects for each region, how would this affect results?

Polyphenols and disease risk in epidemiologic disease

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2005

Plant polyphenols, a large group of natural antioxidants, are serious candidates in explanations of the protective effects of vegetables and fruits against cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Epidemiologic studies are useful for evaluation of the human health effects of long-term exposure to physiologic concentrations of polyphenols, but reliable data on polyphenol contents of foods are still scarce. The aim of this review is to summarize available epidemiologic data on the health effects of polyphenols, focusing on the flavonoid subclasses of flavonols, flavones, and catechins and on lignans. Data obtained to date suggest beneficial effects of both flavonoids and lignans on cardiovascular diseases but not on cancer, with the possible exception of lung cancer. There is a need for more research on stroke and lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Most studies to date have included only flavonols and flavones. With data becoming available for other polyphenols, these compounds should be included in future studies. Careful design of prospective studies is important to offset some of the major drawbacks of epidemiologic studies, including residual confounding (by smoking and other dietary factors) and exposure assessment.

Plant Polyphenol Antioxidants and Oxidative Stress

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2000
BIOL RES

In recent years there has been a remarkable increment in scientific articles dealing with oxidative stress. Several reasons justify this trend: knowledge about reactive oxygen and nitrogen species metabolism; definition of markers for oxidative damage; evidence linking chronic diseases and oxidative stress; identification of flavonoids and other dietary polyphenol antioxidants present in plant foods as bioactive molecules; and data supporting the idea that health benefits associated with fruits, vegetables and red wine in the diet are probably linked to the polyphenol antioxidants they contain. In this review we examine some of the evidence linking chronic diseases and oxidative stress, the distribution and basic structure of plant polyphenol antioxidants, some biological effects of polyphenols, and data related to their bioavailability and the metabolic changes they undergo in the intestinal lumen and after absorption into the organism. Finally, we consider some of the challenges that research in this area currently faces, with particular emphasis on the contributions made at the International Symposium "Biology and Pathology of Free Radicals: Plant and Wine Polyphenol Antioxidants" held July 29-30, 1999, at the Catholic University, Santiago, Chile and collected in this special issue of Biological Research.

Inhibition of Influenza A Virus Replication by Resveratrol

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2005

We have previously shown that the life cycles of several viruses are influenced by host-cell redox states. Reports of the antioxidant activities of the plant polyphenol resveratrol (RV) prompted us to investigate its effects on influenza virus replication in vitro and in vivo. We found that RV strongly inhibited the replication of influenza virus in MDCK cells but that this activity was not directly related to glutathione-mediated antioxidant activity. Rather, it involved the blockade of the nuclear-cytoplasmic translocation of viral ribonucleoproteins and reduced expression of late viral proteins seemingly related to the inhibition of protein kinase C activity and its dependent pathways. RV also significantly improved survival and decreased pulmonary viral titers in influenza virus–infected mice. No toxic effects were observed in vitro or in vivo. That RV acts by inhibiting a cellular, rather than a viral, function suggests that it could be a particularly valuable anti-influenza drug

Antiviral effect of catechins in green tea on influenza

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2005
ANTIVIR RES

Polyphenolic compound catechins ((-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) and (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC)) from green tea were evaluated for their ability to inhibit influenza virus replication in cell culture and for potentially direct virucidal effect. Among the test compounds, the EGCG and ECG were found to be potent inhibitors of influenza virus replication in MDCK cell culture and this effect was observed in all influenza virus subtypes tested, including A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and B virus. The 50% effective inhibition concentration (EC50) of EGCG, ECG, and EGC for influenza A virus were 22-28, 22-40 and 309-318 microM, respectively. EGCG and ECG exhibited hemagglutination inhibition activity, EGCG being more effective. However, the sensitivity in hemagglutination inhibition was widely different among three different subtypes of influenza viruses tested. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that, at high concentration, EGCG and ECG also suppressed viral RNA synthesis in MDCK cells whereas EGC failed to show similar effect. Similarly, EGCG and ECG inhibited the neuraminidase activity more effectively than the EGC. The results show that the 3-galloyl group of catechin skeleton plays an important role on the observed antiviral activity, whereas the 5'-OH at the trihydroxy benzyl moiety at 2-position plays a minor role. The results, along with the HA type-specific effect, suggest that the antiviral effect of catechins on influenza virus is mediated not only by specific interaction with HA, but altering the physical properties of viral membrane.

Tea polyphenols, their biological effects and potential molecular targets

Article

Full-text available

May 2008

Tea is the most popular beverage in the world, second only to water. Tea contains an infusion of the leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant rich in polyphenolic compounds known as catechins, the most abundant of which is (-)-EGCG. Although tea has been consumed for centuries, it has only recently been studied extensively as a health-promoting beverage that may act to prevent a number of chronic diseases and cancers. The results of several investigations indicate that green tea consumption may be of modest benefit in reducing the plasma concentration of cholesterol and preventing atherosclerosis. Additionally, the cancer-preventive effects of green tea are widely supported by results from epidemiological, cell culture, animal and clinical studies. In vitro cell culture studies show that tea polyphenols potently induce apoptotic cell death and cell cycle arrest in tumor cells but not in their normal cell counterparts. Green tea polyphenols were shown to affect several biological pathways, including growth factor-mediated pathway, the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase-dependent pathway, and ubiquitin/proteasome degradation pathways. Various animal studies have revealed that treatment with green tea inhibits tumor incidence and multiplicity in different organ sites such as skin, lung, liver, stomach, mammary gland and colon. Recently, phase I and II clinical trials have been conducted to explore the anticancer effects of green tea in humans. A major challenge of cancer prevention is to integrate new molecular findings into clinical practice. Therefore, identification of more molecular targets and biomarkers for tea polyphenols is essential for improving the design of green tea trials and will greatly assist in a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying its anti-cancer activity.

Antifungal activities of Cistacea, in particular Cistus laurifolius: Role of nonhydrolysable tannins[LES PROPIETES ANTIFONGIQUES DES CISTACEES ET PLUS PARTICULIEREMENT DE CISTUS LAURIFOLIUS L.: ROLE DES TANINS NON HYDROLYSABLES]

Article

Jan 1982
FITOTERAPIA

CYSTUS052, a New Compound Against Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza Virus

Article

Apr 2010
ANTIVIR RES

Flavan-3-ols and proanthocyanidins from Cistus incanus

Article

Jan 1991

Four monomeric and seven oligomeric flavanoids have been identified from a Cistus incanus subspecies traditionally used for treatment of skin diseases in northern parts of Greece and identified as subsp. tauricus. Flavan-3-ols are (+)-catechin, (+)-gallocatechin, the novel (+)-gallocatechin 3-gallate and the rarely occurring (+)-catechin 3-O-α-β-rhamnoside; proanthocyanidins are procyanidins B1 and B3, gallocatechin-(4α → 8)-gallocatechin, its novel (4α → 6)-regioisomer, gallocatechin-(4α → 8)-catechin, the tentatively identified novel catechin-(4α → 8)-gallocatechin and the trimer gallocatechin-(4α → 8)-gallocatechin-(4α → 8)-catechin. The uncommon flavanone 2R,3R-dihydromyricetin was also obtained.

Effect of CYSTUS052 (R) and Green Tea on Subjective Symptoms in Patients with Infection of the Upper Respiratory Tract

Article

Jan 2010
PHYTOTHER RES

Examples of medicinal herbs that have been perpetuated along several generations based simply on a folk tradition are Cistus and green tea. The principal active constituents of the genus Cistus and green tea are polyphenolic compounds. Polyphenols exhibit a wide range of antibacterial, antifungal and antiinflammatory effects. The present work aimed to investigate the clinical effect of a Cistus extract (CYSTUS052®) in comparison with green tea on 300 patients with infections of the upper respiratory tract. Due to the lack of clinical study data on their efficacy in patients, this is a report of the findings of our study on the clinical efficacy of CYSTUS052® in patients with the upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). This study observed a total of 300 patients (277 completers) treated with CYSTUS052® given in lozenges compared with treatment with an extract of green tea. The patients scored the subjective severity of target symptoms using a predefined scale. The score of subjective symptoms decreased over the course of treatment with CYSTUS052®, whereas treatment with green tea resulted in a less significant decrease of symptoms. CYSTUS052® therefore proved to be an effective adjuvant for the treatment of respiratory infections. Copyright

Antibacterial and bacterial activities of tea extracts and catechins against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [English translation]

Article

Oct 1991

We examined tea extract, (-) epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) and theaflavin digallate (TF3) for their antibacterial and bactericidal activities against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and food poisoning strains of S. aureus. Twenty percent tea extract (50 microliters), EGCg (63 micrograms) and TF3 (125 micrograms) added to one ml of culture medium each inhibited the growth of all strains of MRSA and food poisoning S. aureus tested. Tea extract showed also a bactericidal activity against MRSA even at the same concentration of as in ordinarily brewed tea. EGCg at a concentration of 250 micrograms/ml showed a bactericidal activity against MRSA but not against food poisoning S. aureus, but at 500 micrograms/ml reduced markedly the viable number within 48h. These results suggest that tea and catechin can be used as prophylactic agents against MRSA infection.

Inhibitory effects of Cistus populifolius on contractile response in the isolated rat duodenum

Article

May 1995
J ETHNOPHARMACOL

The medicinal plant Cistus populifolius L., shows an important dose-dependent spasmolytic activity. The ability of the Cistus extract to inhibit both acetylcholine (ACh) (3.4 x 10(-8)-6.8 x 10(-5) M) and CaCl2 (2 x 10(-4)-1.28 x 10(-2) M)-induced contractions and the relaxing effect on K+ (75 mM)-induced contractions may indicate a non-specific receptor antagonist. However, this action may be related to the influx of extracellular Ca2+. These antispasmodic effects are partly consistent with the use of C. populifolius in folk medicine for certain gastrointestinal disorders.

Cytotoxic and Antibacterial Labdane-Type Diterpenes from the Aerial Parts of Cistus incanus subsp. creticus

Article

Mar 1994

Seven labdane-type diterpenoids were isolated from the leaves of Cistus incanus subsp. creticus; their structures were established by spectroscopic means. All compounds were tested in vitro for their cytotoxicity against three cell line systems: KB, P-388; and NSCLC-N6. Their antibacterial and antifungal activities were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosae, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Torulopsis glabrata, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Candida albicans as well.

Inhibition of the infectivity of influenza virus by tea polyphenols

Article

Sep 1993
ANTIVIR RES

(-)Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) and theaflavin digallate (TF3) (1-10 microM) inhibited the infectivity of both influenza A virus and influenza B virus in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells in vitro. Study by electron microscope revealed that EGCg and TF3 (1 mM) agglutinated influenza viruses as well as did antibody, and that they prevented the viruses from adsorbing to MDCK cells. EGCg and TF3 more weakly inhibited adsorption of the viruses to MDCK cells. EGCg and TF3 (1-16 microM) also inhibited haemagglutination by influenza viruses. These findings suggest that tea polyphenols bind to the haemagglutinin of influenza virus, inhibit its adsorption to MDCK cells, and thus block its infectivity.

Antioxidant activity and protective effect on DNA cleavage of extracts from Cistus incanus L. and Cistus monspeliensis L

Article

Feb 2000

The genus Cistus includes many typical species of Mediterranean flora; Cistus species are used as antidiarrhetics, as general remedies for treatment of various skin diseases in folk medicine and as anti-inflammatory agents. These species contain flavonoids that are considered to be chain-breaking antioxidants. In this work, we have investigated the effects of crude aqueous extracts from Cistus incanus and Cistus monspeliensis on DNA cleavage and their free-radical scavenging capacity. In addition, their effect on lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes was evaluated. These extracts showed a protective effect on DNA cleavage and a dose-dependent free-radical scavenging capacity; Cistus monspeliensis was more active than Cistus incanus; these results were confirmed by a significant inhibition of lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes. The experimental evidence, therefore, suggests that because of their antioxidant activity these extracts may offer excellent photoprotection for skin and may be useful in the treatment of human diseases where oxidative stress plays a key role.

Effect of Polyphenols on Calcium Content and Alkaline Phosphatase Activity in Rat Femoral Tissues in Vitro.

Article

Jun 2002

The effect of various polyphenols on calcium content and alkaline phosphatase activity in the femoral-diaphyseal and -metaphyseal tissues of young rats in vitro was investigated. Bone tissues were cultured for 24 h in serum-free Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing either vehicle or various polyphenols (10(-7) - 10(-4) M). The presence of genistein (10(-6) - 10(-4) M) caused a significant increase in calcium content and alkaline phosphatase activity in the femoral-diaphyseal and -metaphyseal tissues. Resveratrol (10(-4) m) decreased metaphyseal calcium content significantly, and it (10(-6) - 10(-4) M) had a significant inhibitory effect on diaphyseal enzyme activity. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg; 10(-4) M) significantly inhibited alkaline phosphatase activity in the diaphyseal and metaphyseal tissues. EGCg (10(-7) - 10(-4) M) had no effect on bone calcium content. Meanwhile, glycitein, quercetin, or catechin in the range of 10(-7) to 10(-4) ml did not have an effect on calcium content and alkaline phosphatase activity in the femoral-diaphyseal and -metaphyseal tissues. The present study suggests that a phytoestrogen genistein has a unique anabolic effect on bone calcification in vitro.

Proanthocyanidins in Health Care: Current and New Trends

Article

Jun 2004

Polyphenolic compounds are widely distributed in higher plants and are an integral part of the human diet. Recent interest in these substances has been stimulated by their potential health benefits, which are believed to arise mainly from their antioxidant activity. In the past years, the antioxidant activity of flavonoids has been studied in detail. An important but often overlooked group of polyphenols is that of the proanthocyanidins. Therefore, the present review is focused mainly on the antioxidant activity of proanthocyanidins and its relevancy in vivo. The three most important mechanisms of their antioxidant action will be discussed, i.e. free radical scavenging activity, chelation of transition metals, and inhibition of enzymes. In addition, the protective role of proanthocyanidins against lipid peroxidation and peroxynitrite, as well as their antimicrobial properties will be discussed. To study the in vivo relevancy of the proanthocyanidin activities, the knowledge of their pharmacokinetic parameters is crucial. Although bioavailability and metabolism data on polyphenols in general and proanthocyanidins in particular are still largely unavailable, the first reports indicate that at least monomers and smaller oligomeric procyanidins are absorbed. There is also considerable scientific and public interest in the important role that antioxidants may play in health care, e.g. by acting as cancer chemopreventive and anti-inflammatory agents and by reducing risk of cardiovascular mortality. Each of these aspects will be discussed, with special attention to the role of proanthocyanidins on apoptosis, gene expression and transcription factors, such as NF-kappa B.

Health promotion by flavonoids, tocopherols, tocotrienols, and other phenols: direct or indirect effects? Antioxidant or not?1-4

Article

Feb 2005

Foods and beverages rich in phenolic compounds, especially flavonoids, have often been associated with decreased risk of developing several diseases. However, it remains unclear whether this protective effect is attributable to the phenols or to other agents in the diet. Alleged health-promoting effects of flavonoids are usually attributed to their powerful antioxidant activities, but evidence for in vivo antioxidant effects of flavonoids is confusing and equivocal. This may be because maximal plasma concentrations, even after extensive flavonoid intake, may be low (insufficient to exert significant systemic antioxidant effects) and because flavonoid metabolites tend to have decreased antioxidant activity. Reports of substantial increases in plasma total antioxidant activity after flavonoid intake must be interpreted with caution; findings may be attributable to changes in urate concentrations. However, phenols might exert direct effects within the gastrointestinal tract, because of the high concentrations present. These effects could include binding of prooxidant iron, scavenging of reactive nitrogen, chlorine, and oxygen species, and perhaps inhibition of cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases. Our measurements of flavonoids and other phenols in human fecal water are consistent with this concept. We argue that tocopherols and tocotrienols may also exert direct beneficial effects in the gastrointestinal tract and that their return to the gastrointestinal tract by the liver through the bile may be physiologically advantageous.

Use of Echinacea in Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Article

Apr 2005

The significant burden of upper respiratory tract infection in adults and children, coupled with a lack of specific treatment options, invites the use of alternative therapies. Echinacea is an herb widely used for the prevention or treatment of upper respiratory tract infection. This review article examines the mechanism of action, dose, and types of Echinacea used for these purposes. The principal mode of action of Echinacea is through immunostimulation. Most Echinacea studies were done in Germany, but their results are difficult to interpret because of variability of experimental parameters. Types of Echinacea commonly used are Echinacea purpurea, E pallida, and E angustifolia. Both the plant's upper parts and roots are used. For oral administration, tablets, extracts, fresh pressed juice, teas, and tinctures have been used. Though studies show a beneficial effect, clear conclusions and recommendations of Echinacea use cannot be made due to a lack of standard product, variability in dose, and variability in outcome measures. Therefore, well-designed studies with consistent standardized measures are required.

Surveillance of Resistance to Adamantanes among Influenza A(H3N2) and A(H1N1) Viruses Isolated Worldwide

Article

Aug 2007

CYSTUS052, a polyphenol-rich plant extract, exerts anti-influenza virus activity in mice

Article

Nov 2007
ANTIVIR RES

Influenza, a respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses, is still a worldwide threat with a high potential to cause a pandemic. Beside vaccination, only two classes of drugs are available for antiviral treatment against the pathogen. Here we show that CYSTUS052, a plant extract from a special variety of Cistus incanus that is rich in polymeric polyphenols, exhibits antiviral activity against a highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus (H7N7) in cell culture and in a mouse infection model. In vitro and in vivo treatment was performed with an aerosol formulation, because the bioavailability of high molecular weight polyphenols is poor. In MDCK cells, a 90% reduction of plaque numbers on cells pre-incubated with the plant extract was achieved. For in vivo experiments we used a novel monitoring system for influenza A virus-infected mice that allows measurement of body temperature and gross motor-activity of the animals. Mice treated with CYSTUS052 did not develop disease, showed neither differences in their body temperature nor differences in their gross motor-activity and exhibited no histological alterations of the bronchiolus epithelial cells.

A Polyphenol rich plant extract, CYSTUS052, exerts anti influenza virus activity in cell culture without toxic side effects or the tendency to induce viral resistance

Article

Nov 2007
ANTIVIR RES

Infections with influenza A viruses still pose a major threat to humans and several animal species. The occurrence of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses of the H5N1 subtype capable to infect and kill humans highlights the urgent need for new and efficient countermeasures against this viral disease. Here we demonstrate that a polyphenol rich extract (CYSTUS052) from the Mediterranean plant Cistus incanus exerts a potent anti-influenza virus activity in A549 or MDCK cell cultures infected with prototype avian and human influenza strains of different subtypes. CYSTUS052 treatment resulted in a reduction of progeny virus titers of up to two logs. At the effective dose of 50 microg/ml the extract did not exhibit apparent harming effects on cell viability, metabolism or proliferation, which is consistent with the fact that these plant extracts are already used in traditional medicine in southern Europe for centuries without any reported complications. Viruses did not develop resistance to CYSTUS052 when compared to amantadine that resulted in the generation of resistant variants after only a few passages. On a molecular basis the protective effect of CYSTUS052 appears to be mainly due to binding of the polymeric polyphenol components of the extract to the virus surface, thereby inhibiting binding of the hemagglutinin to cellular receptors. Thus, a local application of CYSTUS052 at the viral entry routes may be a promising approach that may help to protect from influenza virus infections.

Cystussud zur lokalen Behandlung der Tonsillopharyngitis

Jan 2002
792

Kiesewetter

Kiesewetter, H., 2002. Cystussud zur lokalen Behandlung der Tonsillopharyngitis. Erfahrungsheilkunde 11, 792–793.

Cistus incanus (CYSTUS052) for treating patients with infection of the upper respiratory tract

Abstract

No full-text available

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Effect of CYSTUS052 (R) and Green Tea on Subjective Symptoms in Patients with Infection of the Upper...