Eupatorium perfoliatum L.

Abstract

EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUMBoneset or thoroughwort ( EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM L.) is a medicinal herb from North America with a well documented traditional use for treatment of fever and flu. These traditional uses are reflected also by the different official monographs for E. PERFOLIATUM in former editions of the USP. E. PERFOLIATUM is characterized by the presence of flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones, triterpenes and steroids while volatile oil is detected to a very limited extend. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are not detectable either, which is in contrast to the presence of such alkaloids in other EUPATORIUM species. Pharmacological data indicate a slight immunomodulatory effect by stimulation of different cell types of the unspecific immune system (e.g. granulocytes) and a slight antiinflammatory activity. Clinical data are rare and do not prove the rational phytotherapeutic use for treatment of fever and flu. This is mainly due to the limitation on only one, non-controlled, clinical study. Positive effects with complex homeopathic preparations containing E. PERFOLIATUM indicate clinical activity within the tested indications. In conclusion, extracts from E. PERFOLIATUM seem to be promising objects for further phytochemical, pharmacological and clinical investigations in the search for effective immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory medicinal herbs.