Chamomile Tea Research Articles

Exploring Senolytic and Senomorphic Properties of Medicinal Plants for Anti-Aging Therapies.

Senolytic and senomorphic therapies have gained more and more attention in the last decade. This kind of therapy is based on the killing of cellular senescent cells without harming the "normal" cells. Aging is not a disease. Clinical studies on healthy people will be difficult to conduct. Therefore, one possibility is to draw on the large repertoire of medicinal plants and use their senolytic properties to provide mild anti-aging therapies. Chamomile, goldenrod, reishi, and green tea were tested for their ability to trigger senolysis. Quercetin was used as control substance. Cellular senescence was induced with 25 µM etoposide in human dermal fibroblasts and established for at least 14 days. The plant extracts were tested for their antioxidant potential (DPPH assay) and their polyphenol content. Senolysis was determined by presto blue assay of young and etoposide-induced senescent cells, and SA-β-Gal assays were also performed. The senomorphic properties of the plants were investigated using IL-6 ELISA and qPCR. It turned out that chamomile triggers a kind of cytokine storm and causes the cytokine values in the ELISA and in the qPCR to rise extremely, and other senescence-associated phenotype (SASP) markers were also elevated. Goldenrod and quercetin tend to have a senolytic and senomorphic effect, respectively. Regarding the senolytic and senomorphic properties of herbs, we found that all tested herbs can have a senolytic effect, and a senomorphic effect of quercetin has also been discovered. With regard to the effect of chamomile, however, we can say that seemingly harmless tea products may have harmful effects, especially in combination with chemotherapy, at least in cell culture experiments. Nevertheless, inflammation is a double-bladed mechanism with positive effects, for example, in healing, but also known negative effects.

Anti-Inflammatory and Cancer-Preventive Potential of Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.): A Comprehensive In Silico and In Vitro Study.

Chamomile tea, renowned for its exquisite taste, has been appreciated for centuries not only for its flavor but also for its myriad health benefits. In this study, we investigated the preventive potential of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) towards cancer by focusing on its anti-inflammatory activity. A virtual drug screening of 212 phytochemicals from chamomile revealed β-amyrin, β-eudesmol, β-sitosterol, apigenin, daucosterol, and myricetin as potent NF-κB inhibitors. The in silico results were verified through microscale thermophoresis, reporter cell line experiments, and flow cytometric determination of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial membrane potential. An oncobiogram generated through comparison of 91 anticancer agents with known modes of action using the NCI tumor cell line panel revealed significant relationships of cytotoxic chamomile compounds, lupeol, and quercetin to microtubule inhibitors. This hypothesis was verified by confocal microscopy using α-tubulin-GFP-transfected U2OS cells and molecular docking of lupeol and quercetin to tubulins. Both compounds induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and necrosis rather than apoptosis. Interestingly, lupeol and quercetin were not involved in major mechanisms of resistance to established anticancer drugs (ABC transporters, TP53, or EGFR). Performing hierarchical cluster analyses of proteomic expression data of the NCI cell line panel identified two sets of 40 proteins determining sensitivity and resistance to lupeol and quercetin, further pointing to the multi-specific nature of chamomile compounds. Furthermore, lupeol, quercetin, and β-amyrin inhibited the mRNA expression of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL6 in NF-κB reporter cells (HEK-Blue Null1). Moreover, Kaplan-Meier-based survival analyses with NF-κB as the target protein of these compounds were performed by mining the TCGA-based KM-Plotter repository with 7489 cancer patients. Renal clear cell carcinomas (grade 3, low mutational rate, low neoantigen load) were significantly associated with shorter survival of patients, indicating that these subgroups of tumors might benefit from NF-κB inhibition by chamomile compounds. This study revealed the potential of chamomile, positioning it as a promising preventive agent against inflammation and cancer. Further research and clinical studies are recommended.

Effect of ginger, chamomile, and green tea extracts on prostate cancer cells

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a prevalent form of malignancy in males and is a significant contributor to cancer-related mortality worldwide. Because of this, studying the molecular processes of PCa cell growth and death is crucial. Hence, it is imperative to conduct further research on the regulatory mechanism underlying the progression of PCa to enhance our comprehension and identify innovative therapeutic targets. The present study investigates an experimental approach that utilizes cost-effective and environmentally sustainable plant extracts sourced from Egypt, namely ginger, chamomile, and green tea, which have been solubilized in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), then characterized by using different analytical means and techniques, such as HPLC and GC–MS. The present study employed MTT assay, ELISA, and qRT-PCR techniques to assess the possible impact of the investigated extracts on PCa in PC-3 cells. The findings indicate that ginger exhibited a noteworthy cytotoxic impact on PC-3. Remarkably, the treatment of PCa cells with ginger significantly increased relative lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) production compared to those treated with chamomile and green tea extracts. Autophagy may play a crucial role in the context of chemotherapy. Modifying autophagy through its induction or inhibition is a promising and innovative approach to controlcancer progression. Accordingly, it was found that ginger extract affects protein expression levels of autophagy markers LC3B, ATg12, and pro‐apoptotic signaling, including the Caspase-3 signaling pathway. The ELISA findings revealed a significant rise in the average levels of IL-1β and IL-8 after a 12-hour interval. To conclude, it can be inferred that ginger extract possesses the capability to control the production of inflammatory cytokines. Alternatively, utilizing herbal remedies containing ginger as a viable and secure means of treating PCa as an anticancer agent is possible.

Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Chamomile, Aloe Vera, and Green Tea on the Diabetic Wound in Rats

Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Chamomile, Aloe Vera, and Green Tea on the Diabetic Wound in Rats

Assessment of Undergraduate Nursing Students' Understanding of Herbal Medicines and Herb-Drug Interactions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND The use of herbal medicines (HMs) is increasing, which raises concerns of herb-drug interactions (HDIs). This questionnaire-based study aimed to evaluate knowledge of HMs and HDIs in 147 undergraduate nursing students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between March 2022 to June 2022. MATERIAL AND METHODS An online cross-sectional study was conducted among 147 nursing undergraduates at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from March 2022 to June 2022, using a self-administered 24-item questionnaire. The convenience sampling method was used to evaluate the knowledge of HMs and interactions of anticoagulants, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and antiplatelet drugs with herbs like ginkgo biloba, St. John's wort, garlic, ginger, green tea, and chamomile tea. RESULTS The findings of this study reported that 74.8% of the undergraduates used HMs. With regard to HDIs, 20.4% of nursing undergraduates identified the interaction between gingko biloba and drugs like ibuprofen and warfarin, while 13.6% identified interactions between drugs like warfarin with green tea, ginger, and chamomile tea. Regarding general knowledge, 59% of the students (n=84) reported good knowledge of HMs. Previous history of HM use significantly affected the mean HM knowledge score (t=4.635; P=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS To summarize, Saudi nursing students showed a lack of understanding and knowledge of HDIs. Ability to identify specific HDIs, like ginkgo biloba interactions with warfarin and ibuprofen, and warfarin interactions with green tea and ginger, was limited. There is a need to introduce HM and HDI courses in the academic curriculum.

Therapeutic Expedition of Luteolin against Brain-related Disorders: An Updated Review.

Brain-related disorders include neuroinflammation, neurodegenerative disorders, and demyelination, which ultimately affect the quality of life of patients. Currently, brain-related disorders represent the most challenging health problem worldwide due to complex pathogenesis and limited availability of drugs for their management. Further, the available pharmacotherapy accompanies serious side effects, therefore, much attention has been directed toward the development of alternative therapy derived from natural sources to treat such disorders. Recently, flavonoids, natural phytochemicals, have been reported as a treatment option for preventing brain aging and disorders related to this. Among these flavonoids, dietary luteolin, a flavone, is found in many plant products such as broccoli, chamomile tea, and honeysuckle bloom having several pharmacological properties including neuroprotective activities. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to compile the available literature regarding the neuroprotective potential of luteolin and its mechanism of action. Luteolin exerts notable anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic activity suggesting its therapeutic efficacy in different neurological disorders. Numerous in-vivo and in-vitro experiments have revealed that luteolin exhibits neuroprotective potential via up-regulating the ER/ERK, PI3AKT, Nrf2 pathways and down-regulating the MAPK/JAK2STAT and NFκB pathways. Taking into account of available facts regarding the neuroprotective efficacy of luteolin, the current study highlights the beneficial effects of luteolin for the prevention, management, and treatment of different neurological disorders. Thus, luteolin can be considered an alternative for the development of new pharmacophores against various brain-related disorders.

Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activity of Nanoformulated Chamomile and Green Tea-Based Mouthwash: An In Vitro Study.

Introduction Nanotechnology plays a significant role in the biomedical and dental fields, offering numerous benefits to humans. Particularly, nanoparticles synthesised through green methods involving herbal formulations present promising advantages. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs)demonstrate strong antibacterial properties. Utilising treatments incorporating chamomile tea and green tea may potentially reduce toxicity while enhancing antibacterial effectiveness against oral infections. This study aimed to develop a mouthwash containing ZnONPs, followed by an evaluation of both its cytotoxicity and antibacterial effectiveness. Materials and methods This study was conducted at Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Science, Chennai, India. In the synthesis of ZnONPs, a formulation consisting of chamomile tea and green tea was employed. Subsequently, these synthesised nanoparticles were used in the preparation of mouthwash. An antimicrobial test of the produced ZnONPs was carried out using the agar well diffusion technique for oral pathogens. For analysis ofcytotoxicity, brine shrimps were used in an assay, and comparisons were made with a commercially available mouthwash. Results The antimicrobial properties were assessed, and the formulated mouthwash demonstrated a zone of inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus (20 mm), Enterococcus faecalis (11 mm), Streptococcus mutans (15 mm)and Candida albicans (13 mm), when the agar welldiffusion assay was carried out.Furthermore, the formulated mouthwash exhibited lower cytotoxicity compared to the commercially available mouthwash when cytotoxicity was checked in brine shrimps. Conclusion In our study, the ZnONPsynthesis with chamomile tea and green tea showed notable antibacterial and antifungal effects. In addition,lower toxicity was observed compared to the commercially available mouthwash. These findings suggest that mouthwash formulated with green-synthesis ZnONPs could serve as a viable alternative to synthetic mouthwash options. As a result, it is suggested that ZnONPs could be employed in mouthwash formulations at concentrations of 40 µL.

Improving gallic acid detection in plant samples: Fabrication and optimization of a sensitive and selective NiO-supported carbon paste electrode

In this study, we successfully prepared a modified nickel oxide (NiO) carbon paste electrode to detect gallic acid (GA). NiO nanoparticles were synthesized by the simple, organic solvent-free chemical coprecipitation method, and the electrochemical properties of the electrode and GA were thoroughly investigated using CV, SWV, and EIS, while morphological properties were examined using ICP-OES, TEM, SEM, and XRD. Excellent catalytic characteristics are displayed by the developed material which facilitates the interaction of the target with the electrode surface. The obtained electrochemical information showed that the incorporation of NiO nanoparticles to the carbon paste electrode effectively facilitates electron transfer processes and enriches the catalytic response of the carbon paste electrode. The fabricated NiO/CPE sensor showed a satisfactory linear relationship between peak current and GA concentration in the broad range of 0.2–100 μM and 100–200 μM with a low detection limit of 0.04 μM and limit of quantification of 0.12 μM at pH 3 of BRBS as supporting electrolyte. The selectivity of the proposed method was satisfactory, with acceptable stability, considerable repeatability, and accurate reproducibility. Moreover, the good practicability performance could be effectuated at the NiO/CPE sensor for the quantitative analysis of GA in bourtree, walnut, primrose, and chamomile tea samples. The results were compared with the standard DPPH test and statistical processing of the results was performed, which confirmed the excellent agreement between the two methods. The developed method can provide a cost-effective, rapid, selective, and sensitive means for GA monitoring. When compared to other works, the developed technique has a wider linear range and lower LOD and LOQ, which makes this work a very important reference for the highly sensitive analysis of GA in the field of food safety.

The Acute Effect of Chamomile Intake on Blood Coagulation Tests in Healthy Volunteers: A Randomized Trial.

Chamomile administration may have desirable effects in the perioperative setting. Current practice, however, discourages perioperative chamomile use due to a theoretical increase in bleeding. Therefore, we evaluated if chamomile acutely (within 4 h of ingestion) prolongs coagulation assays. Eight healthy volunteers were randomized to receive 2 interventions in a crossover design: (a) single dose of chamomile extract capsule (500 mg) and (b) single dose of chamomile tea (3 g in 150 mL water). Interventions were separated at least 3 days apart from each other. Blood was sampled pre-ingestion, 2 h post-ingestion, and 4 h post-ingestion for each intervention. The primary outcome was the maximal change in prothrombin time (PT) before vs after each intervention. Secondary outcomes included changes in international normalized ratio, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, reptilase time, and fibrinogen levels. All 8 subjects completed the study. The average pre-ingestion PT values for tea and capsules were 11.9 (1.1) s and 12.0 (0.9) s, respectively. Tea significantly increased the average maximum PT by 0.7 (0.2) s (P = 0.0078). Extract capsules increased the maximum PT by 0.3 (0.2) s (P = 0.06). Neither PT prolongation met the predefined 10% threshold for clinical significance. No significant changes in secondary outcomes were observed. Chamomile tea ingestion prolongs PT. However, the clinical significance of this is unclear at this time and warrants further investigation. ClinicalTrials.gov Registration Number: NCT05272475.

A survey on the treatment of GERD with aloe vera juice, slippery elm, ginger tea, and chamomile tea

An online survey was conducted among 35 pharmacy students as part of a Drug Informatics mandatory 2-credit hour course given to first-year professional pharmacy students at Howard University College of Pharmacy. The survey investigated the knowledge and opinions of the students on the use of aloe vera juice, slippery elm, ginger tea, and chamomile tea for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Demographic data indicated that most survey participants (77.5%) were female and 90% were in the age range 18-30 years. The primary residence of about 58% of the students was in the District of Columbia-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area. Work experience prior to joining the College of Pharmacy varied from none to five or more years. About 66.7% had a Bachelor’s degree. Each student of the class of 2027 was asked two sets each of five questions, one set comprising knowledge-based questions, and the other comprising opinion-based questions. An average of about 53.5% of the survey respondents answered the knowledge-based questions correctly. The highest correct response rate was 80%, while the lowest was 20%. For the opinion-based questions, an average of about 77.5% of the respondents demonstrated a positive attitude, with the highest being for aloe vera at 85.7% in treating GERD. Strong disagreement was minimal, ranging from 0.0% to 8.6%.

Chamomile Tea: An In-Depth Analysis of Its Bioactive Compounds, Therapeutic Applications, and Historical Usage

Chamomile Tea: An In-Depth Analysis of Its Bioactive Compounds, Therapeutic Applications, and Historical Usage

Influence of the surface tension of teas on the temperature and addition of common thyme and summer savory essential oils

Common thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) and summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) are a plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Their essential oils widely used in different foods as flavorings and preservatives agents. The surface tension of black tea with the addition of common thyme essential oil and of chamomile tea with the addition of summer savory essential oil were obtained. The quantity of essential oils varying with amounts of 0.01, 0.02, and 0.03%. The surface tension was measured at different temperatures (between 30 and 80°C) and often used in food products and hot drinks. The teas with the addition of 0.03% common thyme and summer savory essential oils are more stable at both low and higher temperatures in terms of taste and aroma protection.

Pesticide residues in dry herbs used for tea preparation by UHPLC-MS/MS: Method validation and analysis

Dry herbs are used for tea preparation and as material for phytotherapy medicines, and both are widely used by the population. However, herbs may contain contaminants and residues that could pose a health risk to consumers, and their levels should be monitored. In this work, a multiresidue method was validated for the analysis of 65 pesticides in different dry herbs. The samples were extracted with acidified acetonitrile, MgSO4 and CH3COONa, purified by dispersive solid phase with PSA, and the pesticides were quantified by UHPLC-MS/MS. A mixture of seven herbs composed of different plant parts was used as a control for method validation. Recovery ranged from 70% to 120% with a few exceptions; repeatability and intermediate precision was below 20% for most compounds. Limit of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 0.005 to 0.100 mg kg−1. The method was applied for the analysis of 75 samples of 33 different dry herbs. In total, 26 samples (34.6%) were positive for at least one pesticide (≥ limit of detection, LOD), from which 19 samples had residues at quantified levels (≥ LOQ; up to 1.60 mg kg−1). Carbendazim and imidacloprid were the pesticides most detected (38.5% and 30.8% of positive samples, respectively). Only two of the analyzed pesticides are registered in Brazil for use in the investigated herbs, indicating that good agricultural practices are not being applied in herb cultivation in the country. A risk assessment for the consumption of chamomile tea containing fenpropathrin was conducted and did not indicate any health concern for consumers.

Evaluation of the thermal stability and transfer rate of pyrrolizidine alkaloids during the brewing of herbal infusions contaminated with Echium vulgare and Senecio vulgaris weeds

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are currently in the spotlight of food safety due to the potential health risk that their intake may entail for consumers. Among the wide variety of food products likely to be contaminated with PAs, teas and herbal teas stand out because of their cross-contamination with weeds from PA-producing plants. Accordingly, this work simulates the cross-contamination of chamomile tea samples with weeds of Senecio vulgaris and Echium vulgare to evaluate the effect of brewing on the PA content at different temperature (100 and 75 °C) and time (5 and 10 min) conditions. The results of the thermal degradation study revealed PAs are quite stable compounds under the conditions assayed, being the initial PA concentration the variable that strongly affected the thermal stability of these compounds, rather than the brewing temperature and time. On the other hand, it was confirmed that not all PAs are effectively transferred from the dry material to the infusion during the brewing process, leading to overall transfer rates between 13 ± 1 to 87 ± 10%. Also, it was observed that the extraction efficiency may be influenced by the type of matrix, since transfer rates were lower when the PA migration came from Echium vulgare than from Senecio vulgaris. Moreover, it was confirmed that the real content of PAs in a cup of tea can be overestimated in 2–7 times if their transfer rate is not considered during the brewing process, highlighting the importance of analyzing the infusion samples instead of the dry tea samples to correctly assess the risk exposure of consumers to these contaminants.

Integrated traditional herbal medicine in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorder: the pattern of use and the knowledge of safety among the Eastern Region Saudi population

BackgroundHerbal medicine is commonly integrated with conventional medicine in Saudi Arabia, especially for the management of digestive disorders. However, the majority of Saudis use herbal remedies without prior consultation with a physician, which raises concerns about their appropriate and safe use. The aim of this study was to assess the level of awareness among the Saudi population regarding the proper utilization and potential adverse effects of frequently used herbs for the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in Saudi Arabia from January to March 2021. An electronic self-administered questionnaire was distributed.ResultsA total of 543 participants from different age groups, educational levels, and cities across Saudi Arabia completed the study questionnaire. The most commonly used herbs at home by the participants were: myrrh, parsley, black seed, chamomile, mint, anise, clove, and green tea. 57.7% of the participants perceived herbs as safer than conventional medicines; 27.3% reported that using herbal remedies over conventional medicine was a family tradition, and 21.4% used herbs because they were cheaper than conventional medicines.ConclusionHerbal remedies, including myrrh, parsley, blackseed, chamomile, mint, and anise, are commonly employed for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in Saudi Arabia. However, the knowledge level of participants regarding potential side effects and drug-herb interactions was found to be deficient. As such, there is a pressing need for educational campaigns and community awareness programs to elucidate the proper usage of herbal remedies and to caution against their potential adverse effects.

Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Chamomile and Green Tea Extracts and Evaluation of Their Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Activity: An In Vitro Study.

Background An important field of study in contemporary material science is the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles. The wide range of uses for zinc nanoparticles in industries like diagnosis and antimicrobial catalysis has sparked particular interest in them. Plant extracts are used to synthesize zinc nanoparticles, opening up a wide range of potential applications. Hence, the current study aims to demonstrate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles mediated by green tea and chamomile tea combination. Materials and methods Leaves of green tea and chamomile tea were combined in a ratio of 1 gram each. To make a 1-molar solution of the extract, the weighted extracts were thoroughly mixed with 100 ml of distilled water in conical flasks. To synthesize nanoparticles, a magnetic stirrer and an orbital shaker were used alternately with an extract of chamomile and green tea, 0.016 g of zinc oxide, and 90 ml of distilled water at 900 rpm. By using an albumin denaturation assay, the synthesized nanoparticles' anti-inflammatory activity was assessed. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and egg albumin (EA) were the reagents used in the assay. The antioxidant activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles, which is mediated by chamomile and green tea, was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) radical scavenging assays. An independent sample t-test was done to compare the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potentials of zinc oxide nanoparticles mediated by green tea and chamomile tea combination and control using SPSS Statistics version 22.0 software (IBM Corp. Released 2013. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.), and any p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results In this study, the anti-inflammatory activity and antioxidant activity were assessed at variable concentrations of the reaction mixture. The combination of chamomile and green tea extracts mediated by zinc oxide nanoparticles at 50μl concentration showed the maximum anti-inflammatory activity and antioxidant activity at 87% inhibition, respectively. Conclusion Both assays successfully demonstrated better anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles mediated by chamomile and green tea combination when compared to control and, therefore, could be evaluated as a potential therapeutic agent.

Assessment of Toxic Pyrrolizidine and Tropane Alkaloids in Herbal Teas and Culinary Herbs Using LC-Q-ToF/MS.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are secondary metabolites produced by plants as a defense against insects. These can cause acute or chronic toxicity in humans. Therefore, avoiding potential poisoning from the consumption of tea and culinary plants contaminated with pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), pyrrolizidine alkaloids N-oxides (PANOs), and tropane alkaloids (TAs) is important for human health and food safety. Therefore, it is important to determine the levels of these substances with reliable and highly accurate methods. In this study, the PAs, PANOs, and TAs in herbal teas and culinary herbs sold in Turkish markets were identified and their levels were determined. Thus, the general profiles of herbal teas and culinary herbs in Turkey were revealed, and the compliance of the total amounts of PA and TA with the regulations was examined. The identification and quantification of 25 PAs and N-oxides and 2 TAs (atropine and scopolamine) in the samples was performed with a liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometer (LC-Q-ToF/MS). At least a few of these substances were detected in all of the tested herbal teas and culinary herbs. The total contents of the black tea, green tea, mixed tea, flavored tea, chamomile tea, sage tea, linden tea, fennel tea, rosehip tea, peppermint, and thyme samples ranged from 4.6 ng g-1 to 1054.5 ng g-1. The results obtained shed light on the importance of analyzing the total dehydro PA, PANO, and TA amounts in plant-based products consumed in diets with sensitive and accurate methods, and they highlight the necessity of performing these analyses routinely in terms of food safety.

Effect of chamomile intake on blood coagulation tests in healthy volunteers: a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial

BackgroundChamomile is consumed worldwide for enjoyment and its potentially desirable properties. Widespread patient resource websites, however, discourage preoperative chamomile intake, lest bleeding could worsen. This precaution, though, stems largely from indirect evidence in one case report. To evaluate if chamomile ingestion impacts coagulation assays via coumarin-like substances, we designed a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study.Materials and methodsHealthy volunteers were randomized to three interventions in a cross-over-design spanning 5 weeks per subject. Interventions included 7-day consumption of chamomile tea (3 tea bags × 3 times daily = 9 tea bags daily), a chamomile extract capsule (3 times daily), or a placebo capsule (3 times daily). A 7-day washout period elapsed between intervention periods. The primary outcome was the change in prothrombin time (PT) before vs. after each intervention. Secondary outcomes included changes in the international normalized ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), thrombin time (TT), reptilase time (RT), and fibrinogen (FG) surrounding each intervention.ResultsAll 12 enrolled subjects were randomized and completed the study. The primary outcome of PT change (mean ± SD) was similar across interventions (chamomile tea = − 0.2 ± 0.4 s, extract capsule = − 0.2 ± 0.4 s, and placebo capsule = 0.1 ± 0.5 s; p = 0.34). INR change was 0 s (p = 0.07) for each intervention. The aPTT, TT, RT, and FG, did not change significantly across interventions (p = 0.8, p = 0.08, p = 0.8, and p = 0.2 respectively).ConclusionsChamomile intake by tea or capsule does not prolong PT. These findings challenge the notion to avoid perioperative chamomile intake in patients not taking warfarin.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05006378; Principal Investigator: Jonathon Schwartz, M.D.; Registered August 16, 2021.

COX2-Inhibitory and Cytotoxic Activities of Phytoconstituents of Matricaria chamomilla L.

Chamomile tea is a popular beverage and herbal remedy with various health benefits, including antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and beneficial effects on metabolism. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory activities of secondary metabolites from Matricaria chamomile L. against COX2, an enzyme involved in inflammation and linked to cancer development. The cytotoxicity of the compounds was also evaluated on a panel of 60 cancer cell lines. Myricetin, one of the COX2-inhibiting and cytotoxic compounds in chamomile tea, was further studied to determine a proteomic expression profile that predicts the sensitivity or resistance of tumor cell lines to this compound. The expression of classical mechanisms of anticancer drug resistance did not affect the responsiveness of cancer cells to myricetin, e.g., ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters (ABCB, ABCB5, ABCC1, ABCG2), tumor suppressors (p53, WT1), and oncogenes (EGFR, RAS), whereas significant correlations between myricetin responsiveness and GSTP expression and cellular proliferation rates were observed. Additionally, Kaplan–Meier survival time analyses revealed that high COX2 expression is associated with a worse survival prognosis in renal clear cell carcinoma patients, suggesting a potential utility for COX2 inhibition by myricetin in this tumor type. Overall, this study provides insight into the molecular modes of action of chamomile secondary metabolites and their potential as cancer-preventive or therapeutic agents.

Tea and Herbal Infusions, Psychological Stress, Anxiety & Sleep Health: A Systematic Review of Human Trials & Mechanistic Studies

Tea is popular global beverage and abundant provider of biologically active plant molecules which have been attributed to its health properties. Relationships between tea drinking and certain aspects of health have been the subject of past reviews. The present systematic review focuses on tea consumption in relation to psychological stress and the challenges of stress and anxiety on sleep health. Publications were searched up to 21st September 2022, in the PubMed database along with references of original articles. Thirty-three publications were included in the main review-17 human trials and 16 mechanistic studies. Human trials were graded to assess quality using the Jadad scale. Overall, a growing body of evidence suggests that tea (including green and oolong) and herbal infusions, at relatively low intakes (around 1 to 2 cups daily), could help to facilitate sleep, alleviate psychological stress and anxiety, primarily by facilitating relaxation. Evidence for black tea, German Chamomile, Lavender, Rose, Jasmine, and Passionflower tea is emerging and looks promising. Ongoing research is needed in the form of randomised controlled trials to build on these provisional findings.