Pelargonium Extract Research Articles

Effects of EPs 7630 on Illness Absence from Childcare or School due to Acute Bronchitis—A Meta-analysis

Abstract Objective In the pediatric population, acute bronchitis (AB) is a leading cause of illness absence from childcare, school, or apprenticeship. We report a meta-analysis of double-blind, randomized trials with children and adolescents with AB (aged 1–18 years), who were treated with Pelargonium extract EPs 7630 or placebo for 7 days. Methods The average number of days absent from childcare, school, or apprenticeship due to illness and the proportion of patients still unable to return to their normal activities at treatment end were assessed. Results Literature search identified two eligible trials with a total of 420 patients. Illness absence was reported for all but two patients under placebo at baseline and for 46.7% (EPs 7630) and 85.0% (placebo) of patients at day 7. Meta-analysis risk ratio for absence at day 7 was 0.55 (95% confidence interval: 0.47, 0.64) for all patients, 0.59 (0.46, 0.76) for children younger than 6 years, and 0.53 (0.44, 0.64) for participants aged 6 to 18 years, all favoring EPs 7630. Compared with placebo, average time until return to normal activities was reduced by EPs 7630 by 1.51 (1.16, 1.86) days for all subjects, by 1.50 (0.92, 20.7) days for those younger than 6 years, and by 1.54 (1.11, 1.97) days for those 6 to 18 years of age (p < 0.001 favoring EPs 7630 for all treatment group comparisons shown). Conclusion For children and adolescents with AB, meta-analysis shows that EPs 7630 treatment for 7 days significantly reduces the average time of illness absence and significantly increases the proportion of patients able to return to normal activities within 1 week.

Application of pelargonium extract in complicated course of acute respiratory infection of the upper airways

Application of pelargonium extract in complicated course of acute respiratory infection of the upper airways

Effects of EPs 7630 on the duration of inability to work in acute bronchitis - a meta-analysis.

Acute bronchitis (AB) has an enormous economic impact through lost working time. We investigated whether treatment with Pelargonium extract EPs 7630 may reduce the time of inability to work. A meta-analysis of double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials with adult patients suffering from AB was performed. The average number of days of inability to work and the proportion of patients who were still unable to work after one week's treatment were assessed. Four clinical trials with a total of 1,011 evaluable patients who received the marketed dosage of EPs 7630 (n=505) or placebo (n=506) for seven days were included in the meta-analysis. At baseline, 845/1,011 patients (83.6%) were unable to work. In the four trials, the proportion decreased to between 19 and 14% for EPs 7630 and to between 41 and 55% for placebo (meta-analysis risk ratio and 95% confidence interval: 0.35; 0.26-0.45; p<0.001). For the number of sick days, a weighted mean difference of 1.73 days (1.17-2.29 days; p<0.001) favoring EPs 7630 was observed. For adults suffering from AB, this meta-analysis demonstrates that seven days' treatment with Pelargonium sidoides extract EPs 7630 significantly reduces the average number of sick days and significantly increases the proportion of patients who are able to return to work.

Safety of Pelargonium extract EPs 7630 in young children with acute bronchitis.

The efficacy and tolerability of Pelargonium sidoides DC. root extract EPs 7630 in children with acute bronchitis (AB) have been widely demonstrated. We investigated the safety and tolerability of a syrup formulation and an oral solution in pre-school children. In an open-label, randomized clinical trial (EudraCT number 2011-002652-14), children aged 1-5 years suffering from AB received EPs 7630 syrup or solution for 7 days. Safety was assessed by frequency, severity, and nature of adverse events (AE), vital signs, and laboratory values. Outcome measures for evaluating the health status were the intensity of coughing, pulmonary rales, and dyspnea, measured by the short version of the Bronchitis Severity Scale (BSS-ped), further symptoms of the respiratory infection, general health status according to the Integrative Medicine Outcomes Scale (IMOS), and satisfaction with treatment according to the Integrative Medicine Patient Satisfaction Scale (IMPSS). 591 children were randomized and treated with syrup (n = 403) or solution (n = 188) for 7 days. In both treatment groups, the number of adverse events was similarly low and revealed no safety concerns. The most frequently observed events were infections (syrup: 7.2%; solution: 7.4%) or gastrointestinal disorders (syrup: 2.7%; solution: 3.2%). After one week's treatment, more than 90% of the children experienced an improvement or remission of the symptoms of the BSS-ped. Further respiratory symptoms decreased similarly in both groups. At Day 7, more than 80% of the whole study population had completely recovered or showed a major improvement as assessed by the investigator and the proxy, respectively. Parents were "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with the treatment in 86.1% of patients in the combined syrup and solution group. Both pharmaceutical forms, EPs 7630 syrup and oral solution, were shown to be equally safe and well tolerated in pre-school children suffering from AB. Improvement of health status and of complaints were similar in both groups.

Antibacterial activity of guava, moringa, camphor bush and pelargonium extracts against bacterial wilt (Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum sp. nov.) of potato

Bacterial wilt (Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum sp. nov.) is a major disease devastating global potato production. Proposed management options are mostly expensive and ineffective. This has necessitated efforts to develop cheaper and eco-friendly management options such as use of botanicals. Antibacterial activity of ethanol and acetone plant extracts from guava (Psidium guajava), drumstick (Moringa oleifera), camphor bush (Tarchonanthus camphoratus) and pelargonium (Pelargonium zonale) against R. pseudosolanacearum sp. nov. was evaluated in-vitro at a concentration of 100 mg/mL of 1 % Dimethlysulfoxide (DMSO) using disk diffusion technique. The R. pseudosolanacearum sp. nov was isolated from infected haulms collected from potato growing field at the University of Nairobi. The most effective extracts were subjected to further screening at different concentrations to determine their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). All the four plant extracts showed varied antibacterial efficacy. P. zonale leaves extract was the most effective with growth inhibition zone of 18.73 mm and 18.60 mm for ethanol and acetone solvents respectively. The average of growth inhibition zones for each plant extract was not significantly different at p ≤ 0.05 among extraction solvents. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) results showed that antibacterial activity of P. zonale and P. guajava leaf started at 6.25 mg/mL with growth inhibition zones of 7.67 and 8.0 mm for ethanol and acetone solvents respectively. P. zonale and P. guajava leaf extracts exhibited significantly higher antibacterial activity at p ≤ 0.05 compared to other extracts. Thus, further research should be conducted to assess their antibacterial potency against R. pseudosolanacearum sp. nov. both in-vivo and under field condition.

Effects of Pelargonium sidoides extract EPs 7630 on acute cough and quality of life - a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials.

BackgroundCough is a leading symptom of viral acute respiratory infections such as acute bronchitis (AB) and the common cold (CC), which can be debilitating and may persist for several weeks. We investigated whether treatment with Pelargonium extract EPs 7630 may reduce cough and improve disease-related quality of life (QoL).MethodsWe performed a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials investigating the efficacy of EPs 7630 in AB or CC. Efficacy analyses included change from baseline in a cough intensity score, remission of cough, and disease-associated impairments of QoL.ResultsData of 2,195 participants from 11 trials (3 in children/adolescents with AB, 3 in adults with AB, 5 in adults with CC) were eligible. In children/adolescents with AB, 79.6% of participants treated with EPs 7630 and 41% treated with placebo showed a reduction in the intensity of cough by at least 50% of baseline values at day 7 [meta-analysis rate/risk ratio (RR), EPs 7630 / placebo: 1.86 (95% CI: 1.34; 2.95)], and 18.0% vs 5.5% presented with complete remission of cough [RR: 2.91 (95% CI: 1.26; 6.72)]. In adults with AB, 88.7% of participants in the EPs 7630 group and 47.6% in the placebo group showed a ≥50% response for cough intensity [RR: 2.13 (95% CI: 1.37; 3.31)], while 26.0% vs 6.3% did not cough any more at day 7 [RR: 5.00 [95% CI: 3.10; 8.07)]. Cough scale results were supported by significant improvements over placebo in the pursuit of normal daily activities and other QoL measures. In CC, 56.8% of participants treated with EPs 7630 and 38.8% treated with placebo showed a ≥50% cough intensity reduction [RR: 1.40 (95% CI: 1.19; 1.65)] at day 5, while 26.1% versus 18.4% showed complete remission of cough for EPs 7630 and placebo, respectively [RR: 1.40 (95% CI: 1.06; 1.84)]. CCassociated pain/discomfort and impairment of usual activities were no longer present in 41.5% and 48.8% of participants treated with EPs 7630 compared to less than 40% of patients in the placebo group.ConclusionsThe results show that EPs 7630 reduces the burden and leads to earlier remission of cough. Advantages for EPs 7630 were also reflected in self-rated measures of disease-associated QoL. Of note, patients treated with the herbal product felt able to resume their usual daily activities sooner.

Resistance enhancement of faba bean plants to rust disease by some compounds and plant extracts

The current study aimed to evaulate the efficacy of hydrogen peroxide, ammonium chloride and sulfur nanoparticles, aqueous plant extracts of pelargonium, thyme and carnation and Tilt 25% fungicide for controlling fabae bean rust disease and investigate the induction of resistance of faba bean plants against rust disease. All above treatments were tested on urediniospores germination of Uromyces viciae-fabae in vitro. Among the treatments used, hydrogen peroxide at 50 mM and pelargonium extract at 20% were the most effective, which decreased of urediniospores germination 34.2 and 36.75%, respectively, than the other treatments. Spraying of infected faba bean plants Spanish cultivar with all tested treatments was effective in reducing disease severity of rust disease under greenhouse and field conditions. The highest reduction in disease severity was observed in case of Tilt 25% fungicide treatment, followed by hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, all treatments significantly increased total phenol content and enzymes activity in treated plants compared to untreated plants. Morevere, the application of these treatments enhanced significantly all studied agronomic characters, i.e., plant height (cm), number of pods per plant and weight of 100 seeds (gm). The study indicated that these treatments can be useful for the protection of faba bean plants from rust disease, especially in clean farming.

اثر عصاره های هیدروالکلی افسنطین Artemisia absinthium و شمعدانی Pelargonum graveolens بر شته سبز هلو Myzus persicae در راستای معرفی حشره کش سالم

Background and Objective: This widespread use of synthetic pesticides for agricultural has resulted in the presence of their residues in rivers, lakes, sea, soils groundwater, and even drinking water, proves the high risk of these chemical insecticides on human health, toxicity to nontarget organisms. The plant extracts derived from A. absinthium and Pelargonium leaves were evaluated due to the esterified and phenolic compounds observed for their insecticidal activity towards green peach aphid. Green peach aphid (Scientific name: Myzus persicae) (In English: Green peach aphid) In Iran, the aphid attacked the leaves of peach, apple, cherry, apricot and also plants such as tomato, potato and eggplant make it complex, decreased growth, shriveling of the leaves and the death of various tissues and can cause severe damage. Method: The extract was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Evaluation of the efficacy of different concentration of plant extracts (0, 10, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 400 and 500 ppm) on green peach aphid with leaf dipping method.Findings: The main compounds of the A. absinthium were 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic (37.48 %),Benzoic acid, ethyl ester (4.40 %), 3,7-Di-tert-butyl-1-naphthol (13.47 %) and Cyclohexanol (3.06 %). The main compounds of the Pelargonium extract were Tetradecane (22.62 %) and Dibutyl phthalate (13.80 %). The results showed that A. absinthium treatment was the most efficacious with LC50= 218.43 ppm. Discussion and Conclusion: Increasing in concentration of plant extracts led to increased green peach aphid mortality percent. It seems that extracts of A. absinthium and Pelargonium affects the pest green peach aphid and can be an effective and inexpensive alternative to chemical pesticides.

Pelargonium Extract EPs 7630 in the Treatment of Human Corona Virus-Associated Acute Respiratory Tract Infections - A Secondary Subgroup-Analysis of an Open-Label, Uncontrolled Clinical Trial.

Background: Experience in treating human coronavirus (HCoV) infections might help to identify effective compounds against novel coronaviruses. We therefore performed a secondary subgroup-analysis of data from an open-label, uncontrolled clinical trial published in 2015 investigating the proanthocyanidin-rich Pelargonium sidoides extract EPs 7630 in patients with the common cold. Methods: 120 patients with common cold and at least 2 out of 10 common cold symptoms received one film-coated 20 mg tablet EPs 7630 thrice daily for 10 days in an uncontrolled, interventional multicentre trial (ISRCTN65790556). At baseline, viral nucleic acids were detected by polymerase chain reaction. Common cold-associated symptoms and treatment satisfaction were evaluated after 5 days and at treatment end. Based on the data of patients with proof of viral nucleic acids, we compared the course of the disease in patients with or without HCoV infection. Results: In 61 patients, viral nucleic acids were detected. Of these, 23 (37.7%) were tested positive for at least one HCoV (HCoV subset) and 38 (62.3%) for other viruses only (non-HCoV subset). Patients of both subsets showed a significant improvement of common cold symptoms already after 5 days of treatment, although the observed change tended to be more pronounced in the HCoV subset. At treatment end, more than 80% of patients of both groups were completely recovered or majorly improved. In both subsets, less than 22% of patients took concomitant paracetamol for antipyresis. The mean number of patients’ days off work or school/college was similar (0.9 ± 2.6 days in HCoV subset vs 1.3 ± 2.8 days in non-HCoV subset). In both groups, most patients were satisfied or very satisfied with EPs 7630 treatment. Conclusion: EPs 7630 treatment outcomes of common cold patients with confirmed HCoV infection were as favourable as in patients with other viral infections. As this trial was conducted before the pandemic, there is currently no evidence from clinical trials for the efficacy of EPs 7630 in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Dedicated non-clinical studies and clinical trials are required to elucidate the potential of EPs 7630 in the early treatment of HCoV infections.

Comparative in vitro analysis of inhibition of rhinovirus and influenza virus replication by mucoactive secretolytic agents and plant extracts

BackgroundRhinoviruses and influenza viruses cause millions of acute respiratory infections annually. Symptoms of mild acute respiratory infections are commonly treated with over-the-counter products like ambroxol, bromhexine, and N-acetyl cysteine, as well as of thyme and pelargonium extracts today. Because the direct antiviral activity of these over-the-counter products has not been studied in a systematic way, the current study aimed to compare their inhibitory effect against rhinovirus and influenza virus replication in an in vitro setting.MethodsThe cytotoxicity of ambroxol, bromhexine, and N-acetyl cysteine, as well as of thyme and pelargonium extracts was analyzed in Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) and HeLa Ohio cells. The antiviral effect of these over-the-counter products was compared by analyzing the dose-dependent inhibition (i) of rhinovirus A2- and B14-induced cytopathic effect in HeLa Ohio cells and (ii) of influenza virus A/Hong Kong/68 (subtype H3N2)- and A/Jena/8178/09 (subtype H1N1, pandemic)-induced cytopathic effect in MDCK cells at non-cytotoxic concentrations. To get insights into the mechanism of action of pelargonium extract against influenza virus, we performed time-of-addition assays as well as hemagglutination and neuraminidase inhibition assays.ResultsN-acetyl cysteine, thyme and pelargonium extract showed no or only marginal cytotoxicity in MDCK and HeLa Ohio cells in the tested concentration range. The 50% cytotoxic concentration of ambroxol and bromhexine was 51.85 and 61.24 μM, respectively. No anti-rhinoviral activity was detected at non-cytotoxic concentrations in this in vitro study setting. Ambroxol, bromhexine, and N-acetyl cysteine inhibited the influenza virus-induced cytopathic effect in MDCK cells no or less than 50%. In contrast, a dose-dependent anti-influenza virus activity of thyme and pelargonium extracts was demonstrated. The time-of addition assays revealed an inhibition of early and late steps of influenza virus replication by pelargonium extract whereas zanamivir acted on late steps only. The proven block of viral neuraminidase activity might explain the inhibition of influenza virus replication when added after viral adsorption.ConclusionThe study results indicate a distinct inhibition of influenza A virus replication by thyme and pelargonium extract which might contribute to the beneficial effects of these plant extracts on acute respiratory infections symptoms.

Pelargonium root (Pelargonium sidoides DC) extract in paediatric patients - food supplement or medicine?

Summary Pelargonium sidoides DC is an interesting plant with various biological properties. Pharmaceutical companies and manufacturers of food supplements are particularly interested in its beneficial effects in upper respiratory tract infections. The search for new therapeutic options is especially important at a time when antibiotics are prescribed too often. However, due to proven clinical effects of extracts from Pelargonium sidoides, their use in diet supplements, especially intended for infants and small children, is highly disputable. The paper presents reports on the use of Pelargonium sidoides extracts in paediatrics and also tries to answer the question whether the pelargonium extract should be qualified as food supplement or medicine.

Effectiveness of the Pelargonium extract (EPs® 7630) in the treatment of patients with acute bronchitis

Effectiveness of the Pelargonium extract (EPs® 7630) in the treatment of patients with acute bronchitis

THE PRACTICAL EFFECTIVENESS OF HERBAL THERAPY OF INFECTIOUS-INFLAMMATORY DISEASES OF THE UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT

This article presents a practical effectiveness of the drug Umckalor (Pelargonium sidoides), its antibacterial activity. Provides data of world literature on the experience of the use of pelargonium extract in the treatment of acute inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract, and case report.

Evaluation of Pelargonium extract and oil as eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor for steel in acidic chloride solutions and pharmacological properties

There is a growing trend in utilizing plant extracts and pharmaceutical compounds as corrosion inhibitors. Accurate identification of the essential oil of aerial parts of Pelargonium was obtained using hydrodistillation, gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The oil was predominated by citronellol (22.8 %). The inhibitory effect of essential oil and extract of Pelargonium was estimated on the corrosion of mild steel in 1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) using weight loss, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Tafel polarization curves. Inhibition was found to increase with increasing concentration of the essential oil and extractof Pelargonium. The effect of temperature on the corrosion behavior of mild steel in 1 M HCl with addition of essential oil and extract was also studied, and the thermodynamic parameters were determined and discussed. Values of inhibition efficiency were calculated from weight loss, Tafel polarization curves, and EIS. All results are in good agreement. Polarization curves showed that essential oil and extract of Pelargonium behave as mixed type inhibitors in HCl (1 M). The results obtained showed that the essential oil and extract of Pelargonium could serve as an effective inhibitor of the corrosion of mild steel in HCl solution. To avoid any unexpected toxicity, the majority of compounds have been studied by using POM analyses.

Effect of some plant extracts on Rhizoctonia spp. and Sclerotium hydrophilum

Soilborne phytopathogens affect rice production by inhabiting inoculum permanently in the soil. Pesticides of plant origin are preferred in order to reduce the risks involved in chemical control measure. The present study was conducted to find out bioresource to control some rice pathogens. Sixteen naturally available phytoextracts were tested in vitro for their potential to control phytopathogens of rice, such as Rhizoctonia solani, Rhizoctonia oryzae,Rhizoctonia oryzae-sativae and Sclerotium hydrophilum. All of the tested fungal growths were suppressed 100% by using clove extract. Neem leaf, rosemary and pelargonium extracts were found to give the second best suppression against the tested fungi. Neem leaf extract inhibited the growth of R. solani by 87.5%, R. oryzae by 92.5% and R. oryzae-sativae by 80%. However, the same extract inhibited S. hydrophilum by only 49.1%. Rosemary extract gave an inhibition of 67.7% for R. solani, 88.0% for R. oryzae, 86.0% forR. oryzae-sativae and 73.89% for S. hydrophilum. The inhibitory effect of pelargonium on the tested fungi showed 48.1% for R. solani, 90.8% for R. oryzae, 84.4% for R. oryzae-sativae and 83.3% for S. hydrophilum. Among the tested phytoextracts, cloves, neem leaf, rosemary and pelargonium are potential phytoextracts to control the tested soilborne phytopathogens. Key words: Rice, Rhizoctonia solani, Rhizoctonia oryzae, Rhizoctonia oryzae-sativae,Sclerotium hydrophilum, sheath diseases, phytoextract.

Components derived fromPelargoniumstimulate macrophage killing ofMycobacteriumspecies

To determine the capacity of extracts of Pelargonium reniforme and Pelargonium sidoides, plants of the Geraniaceae family, to stimulate the uptake and killing of mycobacteria by murine macrophages and to identify the constituents that are responsible. Bioassay-guided fractionation of aqueous P. reniforme extracts yielded five chemically distinct structures with the capacity to increase the rate of intracellular killing by macrophages. These were: gallic acid, methyl gallate, myricetin and quercitin-3-O-beta-d-glucoside, in addition to the previously unrecognized constituent 1-O-(2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl-6-O-galloyl-glucopyranoside. Kinetics of intracellular accumulation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium fortuitum by macrophages were indistinguishable; pure preparations of the four previously known plant constituents stimulated macrophage killing, but not uptake, of M. tuberculosis and M. fortuitum equally well. A number of distinct molecular species are present in the medicinal plant P. reniforme that stimulate the killing of the intracellular pathogen M. tuberculosis. These observations support the view that Pelargonium extracts may have utility in the treatment of tuberculosis.

Efficacy of an aqueous Pelargonium sidoides extract against herpesvirus

The compounds of an aqueous root extract of the African medicinal plant Pelargonium sidoides were analysed by LC-MS spectroscopy and the antiviral effect of this extract against herpes simplex virus was examined in cell culture. Besides predominant coumarins, simple phenolic structures as well as flavonoid and catechin derivatives were identified as major constituents in the Pelargonium extract. The inhibitory activity of this extract against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) was tested in vitro on RC-37 cells using a plaque reduction assay and exhibited high antiviral activity against both herpesviruses in viral suspension tests. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of the aqueous Pelargonium sidoides extract for herpes simplex virus plaque formation was determined at 0.00006% and 0.000005% for HSV-1 and HSV-2, respectively. At maximum noncytotoxic concentrations of the extract, plaque formation was significantly reduced by more than 99.9% for HSV-1 and HSV-2 and a clear concentration-dependent antiviral activity against HSV could be demonstrated for this extract. In order to determine the mode of antiviral action, the extract was added at different times to the cells or viruses during the infection cycle. Both herpesviruses were significantly inhibited when pretreated with the plant extract or when the extract was added during the adsorption phase, whereas acyclovir demonstrated antiviral activity only intracellularly during replication of HSV. These results indicate that P. sidoides extract affected the virus before penetration into the host cell and reveals a different mode of action when compared to the classical drug acyclovir. Hence this extract is capable of exerting an antiviral effect on herpes simplex virus and might be suitable for topical therapeutic use as antiviral drug both in labial and genital herpes infection.

Efficacy of an aqueous Pelargonium sidoides extract against herpesvirus

The compounds of an aqueous root extract of the African medicinal plant Pelargonium sidoides were analysed by LC-MS spectroscopy and the antiviral effect of this extract against herpes simplex virus was examined in cell culture. Besides predominant coumarins, simple phenolic structures as well as flavonoid and catechin derivatives were identified as major constituents in the Pelargonium extract. The inhibitory activity of this extract against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) was tested in vitro on RC-37 cells using a plaque reduction assay and exhibited high antiviral activity against both herpesviruses in viral suspension tests. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the aqueous Pelargonium sidoides extract for herpes simplex virus plaque formation was determined at 0.00006% and 0.000005% for HSV-1 and HSV-2, respectively. Herpesvirus infectivity was significantly reduced by more than 99.9% for HSV-1 and HSV-2. Both herpesviruses were significantly inhibited when herpesvirus was incubated with the plant extract or when the extract was added during the adsorption phase, whereas acyclovir demonstrated antiviral activity only intracellularly during replication of HSV. These results indicate that P. sidoides extract affected the virus before penetration into the host cell and reveals a different mode of action when compared to the classical drug acyclovir. Hence this extract is capable to exert an antiviral effect on herpes simplex virus and might be suitable for topical therapeutic use as antiviral drug both in labial and genital herpes infection.

Pelargonium extract may hold risk of hypersensitivity reaction

Pelargonium extract may hold risk of hypersensitivity reaction

An extract of Pelargonium sidoides (EPs 7630) inhibits in situ adhesion of Helicobacter pylori to human stomach

Root extract from Pelargonium sidoides DC is used therapeutically as antimicrobial agent against infections of the respiratory system. In order to elucidate possible modes of actions we investigated the influence of P. sidoides root extract on microbial adhesion with Helicobacter pylori as model microorganism, a germ with a strong adherence to human stomach tissue. In an in-situ anti-adhesion assay intact human stomach tissue from patient resectates was incubated with fluorescent-labelled bacteria. Epithelial adhesion occurred in untreated samples and was quantified by fluorescent microscopy. Pre-treatment of the bacteria with Pelargonium extract showed good anti-adhesive activity. The antiadhesive effect was clearly dose-dependent in a range from 0.001 to 10 mg/ml. Within agar diffusion-test the extract had no direct cytotoxicity against H. pylori. The results show that the root extract from Pelargonium sidoides is a potent anti-adhesive agent against H. pylori and could therefore be a useful choice to avoid the first step of a bacterial infection.