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Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don fil. (family Asteraceae) has been used for its medicinal properties for a long time and, even nowadays, continues to play an important role in the traditional medicine of Mediterranean countries. Based on this traditional knowledge, its different pharmacological activities have been the focus of active research. This review aims to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge of the pharmacological activities of Helichrysum italicum, as well as its traditional uses, toxicity, drug interactions and safety. Materials and methods: The selection of relevant data was made through a search using the keywords “Helichrysum italicum” and “H. italicum” in “Directory of Open Access Journals”, “Google Scholar”, “ISI Web of Knowledge”, “PubMed”, “ScienceDirect” and “Wiley Online Library”. Information obtained in local and foreign books and other sources was also included. Results: There are reports on the traditional use of Helichrysum italicum in European countries, particularly Italy, Spain, Portugal and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In these countries, its flowers and leaves are the most used parts in the treatment of health disorders such as allergies, colds, cough, skin, liver and gallbladder disorders, inflammation, infections and sleeplessness. In order to validate some of the traditional uses of Helichrysum italicum and highlight other potential applications for its extracts and isolated compounds, several scientific studies have been conducted in the last decades. In vitro studies characterized Helichrysum italicum as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent. Its flavonoids and terpenes were effective against bacteria (e.g. Staphylococcus aureus), its acetophenones, phloroglucinols and terpenoids displayed antifungal action against Candida albicans and its flavonoids and phloroglucinols inhibited HSV and HIV, respectively. Helichrysum italicum acetophenones, flavonoids and phloroglucinols demonstrated inhibitory action in different pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism and other pro-inflammatory mediators. Regarding Helichrysum italicum in vivo activity, the highlight goes to the anti-erythematous and photoprotective activities of its flavonoids, demonstrated both in animals and humans, and to the anti-inflammatory properties exhibited by its flavonoids, acetophenones and phloroglucinols, as seen in animal models. Concerning its safety and adverse effects, while Helichrysum italicum does not display significant levels of cytotoxicity or genotoxicity, it should be noticed that one of its flavonoids inhibited some CYP isoforms and a case has been reported of an allergic reaction to its extracts. Conclusions: Helichrysum italicum is a medicinal plant with promising pharmacological activities. However, most of its traditionally claimed applications are not yet scientifically proven. Clinical trials are needed to further confirm these data and promote Helichrysum italicum as an important tool in the treatment of several diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may increase the risk of symptomatic gallstones, but this association has not been investigated in a prospective study in a European population. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between HRT and the development of symptomatic gallstones in a free-living population. Methods: Use of HRT was ascertained by questionnaire in 13,433 women aged 45–74 years living in Norfolk, UK, who participated in the EPIC-Norfolk Study (European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer). The use of HRT was that at the time of recruitment rather than at the point of diagnosis. Participants were followed up for the development of symptomatic gallstones. The analysis used a nested case-control method in a prospective study. Results: A total of 117 women developed symptomatic gallstones. Women who reported either ever using HRT, currently using HRT or who had been past users all had a greater risk of gallbladder disease than age-matched control women who had never used HRT, after adjusting for known risk factors for gallstones. Women who had ever used HRT had a risk of 1.94 (95% CI = 1.17–3.22) compared with women who had never used HRT. For past users of HRT, the risk of symptomatic gallstones was greater, the longer the duration of use (OR = 4.05, 95% CI = 1.12–14.76 for use >1 year, compared to OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 0.79–5.30 for ≤1 year). Conclusions: Use of HRT was positively associated with an increased risk of symptomatic gallstones in this population. This confirms trial data and additionally shows effects of duration of use and increased risk associated with past use. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on gallstone disease in Europe. Complications attributable to gallstones; Factors on which prevalence of gallstones depends; Statistics related to prevalence of gallstone disease in the largest population surveys in Europe as of November 2003.