Search

Purpose: In the presence of acute or chronic inflammation in the periapical tissues caused by various anaerobic and facultative bacteria, it is aimed to create suitable healing conditions by performing successful root canal treatment. However, endodontic flare-ups may occur between appointments, and this may cause discomfort for the patient and damage the patient-clinician relationship. Therefore, in this brief review, it is aimed to describe the possible preventive effects of the natural medicine Pelargonium sidoides extract (EPs® 7630), which has broad anti-infective and anti-inflammatory properties. Methods: PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched and reviewed related to P. sidoides. The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects of P. sidoides extract and its chemical constituents in periodontitis and other systemic infections are discussed. Results: Clinical and in vitro studies have confirmed that P. sidoides extract and some of its fractions may be involved in inflammatory tissue responses by showing immunomodulatory effects in mild infections of periapical tissues. This implies that the natural remedy, EPs® 7630, could be a potential therapeutic and prophylactic medicine for root canal treatments. Conclusion: This review provides basic information about the immunomodulatory, anti-infective, and anti-inflammatory effects of EPs® 7630 and outlines its possible functions in periradicular tissues as a promising therapeutic medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A green synthetic approach using Pelargonium sidoides root extract was applied and optimized for preparing silver nanoparticles (NSs). The synthesized NSs were investigated by X-ray diffraction method (XRD), UV-Vis spectrophotometer, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM and TEM images obtained show that the synthesized NSs have spherical shape with around 22 nm sizes, which is properly consistent with the results of Shearer method. Different parameters affecting the formation performance of nanoparticles such as temperature, pH, concentrations of silver nitrate and root extract and resting time were characterized and optimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Previous investigations suggest the use of extract from the roots of Pelargonium sidoides (EPs 7630) for improvement of the symptoms of uncomplicated upper airway inflammations, due to its antimicrobial and immunomodulatory actions. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of EPs 7630 on chemokine production in nasal mucosa and clinical parameters of patients with acute postviral rhinosinusitis (APRS). Methods: Twenty-six (n=26) APRS patients and 25 (n?25) control subjects were included in this prospective study. We measured the concentrations of thirteen chemokines in nasal secretions of APRS patients and controls by flow cytometry. The patients with APRS were treated by EPs 7630 20mg oral tablets, three times daily for 10 days. We compared the chemokine levels in nasal secretions, nasal symptoms and endoscopic findings in patients, before and after therapy. Results: We found higher Total Symptom Score (TSS) and higher concentrations of MCP-1, MIP-1a, MIP-1b, MIP-3a, ENA-78 and IL-8 in nasal secretions of APRS patients than in controls. After therapy by EPs 7630, we found significant improvement in all symptoms and endoscopic findings of APRS. The concentrations of MCP-1, IP-10 and MIP-1b were significantly increased and levels of MIP-1a, ENA-78, GROa and IL-8 significantly decreased in nasal fluid samples after therapy. No adverse effects were reported during the treatment. Conclusion: Our results suggest the presence of modulatory effects of EPs 7630 on production of chemokines regulating the function of neutrophils and monocytes in the site of inflammation of the nasal mucosa in patients with APRS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Pelargonium sidoides (UMCA ®) which was antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, on pulmonary contusion (PC) caused by isolated blunt thoracic trauma (BTT) in an experimental rat model. Material and Methods: A total of 24 rats were divided into three groups: control group (CG), sham group (SG), and Pelargonium sidoidesgroup (PSG). PC was induced by isolated BTT for all the groups except the control group. Pelargonium sidoidestreatment was performed by gavage for 72 hours to the PSG after truma. Blood and tissue samples were collected from the groups. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD),glutathione (GSH) and arterial blood gas parameters were measured. Lung tissue samples were collected for histopathology. Results: Histopathologically, alveolar congestion, hemorrhage, edema, disruption and neutrophil infiltrationwere significantly higher in SG when compared with CG(p<0.001, p=0.007, p=0.040, p=0.003, p=0.001). Leukocyte infiltration was significantly decreased in PSG when compared with SG (p=0.025). Biochemically, MDA level was significantly higher in SG than in CG (p<0.001) and GSH level was significantly lower in SG than in CG (p<0.001). MDA level was significantly lower in PSG than in SG (p=0.002). In blood gas parameters PH and PO2 level was significantly higher in PSG than in SG (p=0.013, p<0.001) and PCO2 level was significantly lower in PSG than in SG (p<0.001). Conclusion: PS prevents further injury by decreasing leukocyte infiltration,MDAand regulating ventilation -perfusion in lung contusions. PS may have a role in the progression of inflammation but not in preventing the pathologic disruption of pulmonary parenchyma exactly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What, scholars of South Africa have recently asked, has become of the former 'homelands'? This article describes the significance of the former Ciskei homeland to a multi-million-dollar supply chain linking rural South African plant harvesters with multinational pharmaceutical companies. The former Ciskei is a primary extraction site for the medicinal plant Pelargonium sidoides, which generates tens of millions of dollars in annual sales as an internationally marketed pharmaceutical product. Drawing upon 15 months' fieldwork in South Africa conducted between 2009 and 2018, I show how dynamics associated with the homeland past and more recent governance policies – dynamics such as still active homeland-era laws, labour conditions, concentrations of people and livestock, industry middlemen and traditional leaders – all shape a contemporary and lucrative industry. The former Ciskei is more than a marginal space from which migrant workers continue to seek access to South Africa's 'formal business sectors'. The region is a crucial link in a system of transnational accumulation initiated within its enduring borders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bronchial epithelial cells are the first target cell for rhinovirus infection. The course of viral infections in patients with acute bronchitis, asthma and COPD can be improved by oral application of Pelargonium sidoides radix extract; however, the mechanism is not well understood. This study investigated the in vitro effect of Pelargonium sidoides radix extract (EPs 7630) on the expression of virus binding cell membrane and host defence supporting proteins on primary human bronchial epithelial cells (hBEC). Cells were isolated from patients with severe asthma (n = 6), moderate COPD (n = 6) and non-diseased controls (n = 6). Protein expression was determined by Western-blot and immunofluorescence. Rhinovirus infection was determined by immunofluorescence as well as by polymerase chain reaction. Cell survival was determined by manual cell count after live/death immunofluorescence staining. All parameters were determined over a period of 3 days. The results show that EPs 7630 concentration-dependently and significantly increased hBEC survival after rhinovirus infection. This effect was paralleled by decreased expression of the inducible co-stimulator (ICOS), its ligand ICOSL and cell surface calreticulin (C1qR). In contrast, EPs 7630 up-regulated the expression of the host defence supporting proteins β-defensin-1 and SOCS-1, both in rhinovirus infected and un-infected hBEC. The expression of other virus interacting cell membrane proteins such as MyD88, TRL2/4 or ICAM-1 was not altered by EPs 7630. The results indicate that EPs 7630 may reduce rhinovirus infection of human primary BEC by down-regulating cell membrane docking proteins and up-regulating host defence proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) such as health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) belong to the most important criteria for the evaluation of medical therapies in clinical trials or practice-based benefit assessments. This study, therefore, revisited results of an earlier published clinical trial investigating the effects of the herbal drug preparation from the roots of Pelargonium sidoides EPs 7630, administered as add-on therapy in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with respect to HRQoL and other PRO.Methods: A total of 199 adults diagnosed with COPD stages II/III and receiving standard treatment according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) were randomly assigned to add-on therapy with EPs 7630 or placebo for 24 weeks. HRQoL (disease-specific St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, SGRQ; current HRQoL state according to the EuroQuol visual analog scale, EQ VAS) and PRO (Integrative Medicine Outcomes Scale, IMOS; Integrative Medicine Patient Satisfaction Scale, IMPSS; symptom severity score of cough, sputum production and sternal pain while coughing; duration of inability to work) were assessed at each study visit or documented daily by the patient in a patient diary, respectively.Results: At week 24, all HRQoL and PRO measures showed a more pronounced improvement under EPs 7630 than under placebo (EQ VAS, p < .001; SGRQ total score, p < .001; symptom severity score of cough, sputum production, and sternal pain while coughing, p = .021; duration of inability to work, p = .004; two-sided t-test each; IMOS, p < .001, IMPSS, p < .001, two-sided Mantel-Haenszel test each). Moreover, the difference seen for the SGRQ exceeded the SGRQ minimal clinically important difference (MCID) threshold of 4 points.Conclusions: Add-on therapy with EPs 7630 led to an improvement in HRQoL and other PRO in adult patients with COPD compared to placebo while showing a good long-term tolerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the biodiversity of endophytic fungi isolated from indigenous Pelargonium sidoides plants using morphological and molecular techniques and also screen isolates for antibacterial activities. In the present study, a total of 50 Pelargonium sidoides plants were collected and the roots were analysed for the presence of endophytic fungi. The fungi were initially sorted according to morphological characteristics. Fungal identities were further confirmed through amplification of sequences encoding Translation Elongation Factor-1α (TEF-1α) gene for Fusarium species and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) regions for all other fungi. Fungi were screened for antibacterial activity by adopting the standard Kirby-Bauer agar disc diffusion method using a pathogenic Escherichia coli strain (Code from the collection) previously isolated from cattle. A total of 133 fungi belonging to 32 genera were successfully isolated and identified in the study based morphological analyses. Fungi belonging to the genus Penicillium were dominant (23%) among the isolates when compared with Fusarium species (12%) as well as Alternaria and Aspergillus that were detected at 11% respectively. Antibacterial agent producing data revealed that Aspergillus sp. (KM458796.1), Penicillium expansum (LC015096.1) and Aspergillus niger (KP172477.1) produced the strongest bactericidal activity against the E. coli strain with growth inhibition zone diameter data of 11 mm, 5 mm and 4 mm respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in which the diversity of fungi from Pelargonium sidoides has been assessed and the findings revealed that fungal diversity is directly related to their potential to produce bioactive compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In numerous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews such as those published by the Cochrane Collaboration, Pelargonium sidoides extract EPs® 7630 was shown to be effective in acute respiratory tract infections (aRTI) in all investigated age-groups. This narrative review focuses on recently published results from RCTs investigating the clinical efficacy and safety of EPs 7630 in children and adolescents with different manifestations of aRTI, in order to present a broader overview and to provide an update on the state of knowledge regarding the use of EPs 7630 in this age-group. Methods: The Cochrane review on P. sidoides extract for aRTI published by the Cochrane Collaboration was searched for cited RCTs with EPs 7630 in children and adolescents suffering from aRTI. A PubMed and SCOPUS literature search was performed for publications issued before June 13, 2017 (search terms: children, Pelargonium sidoides, EPs 7630, respiratory). Reference lists of publications found were searched for relevant citations. Results: Eight RCTs investigating the application of EPs 7630 in acute bronchitis, acute tonsillopharyngitis, and aRTI in the context of chronic preconditions were identified. Results showed a statistically significant improvement of aRTI symptom severity for EPs 7630 as compared to controls. The investigation of EPs 7630 in asthmatic children and adolescents with aRTI demonstrated a significant symptom-alleviating effect and a possibly associated reduction of asthma attacks. In immunocompromised children with acute upper RTI, an alleviating effect of EPs 7630 was shown. All RCTs reviewed reported good safety and tolerability of EPs 7630. Conclusion: The P. sidoides extract EPs 7630 is effective and safe for those of pediatric age and may be regarded as an alternative option for the management of aRTI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Root extracts of the medicinal plant Pelargonium sidoides , native to South Africa, are used globally for the treatment of common cold and cough. Due to an increasing economic commercialization of P. sidoides remedies, wild collections of root material should be accompanied by effective methods for plant propagation like somatic embryogenesis. Based on this, the influence of arabinogalactan-proteins (AGPs) on somatic embryogenesis and plant propagation of P. sidoides has been investigated. High-molecular weight AGPs have been isolated from dried roots as well as from cell cultures of P. sidoides with yields between 0.1% and 0.9%, respectively. AGPs are characterized by a 1,3-linked Gal p backbone, branched at C6 to 1,6-linked Gal p side chains terminated by Ara f and to a minor extent by Glc p A, Gal p or Rha p . Treatment of explants of P. sidoides with AGPs from roots or suspension culture over 5.5 weeks resulted in effective stimulation of somatic embryo development and plant regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pelargonium sidoides is a medical herb and respective extracts are used very frequently for the treatment of respiratory tract infections. However, the effects of Pelargonium sidoides and a special extract prepared from its roots (EPs 7630) on human immune cells are not fully understood. Here we demonstrate that EPs 7630 induced a rapid and dose-dependent production of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 by human blood immune cells. This EPs 7630-induced cytokine profile was more pro-inflammatory in comparison with the profile induced by viral or bacterial infection-mimicking agents. The search for EPs 7630 target cells revealed that T-cells did not respond to EPs 7630 stimulation by production of TNF-α, IL-6, or IL-10. Furthermore, pretreatment of T-cells with EPs 7630 did not modulate their TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 secretion during subsequent activation. In contrast to lymphocytes, monocytes showed clear intracellular TNF-α staining after EPs 7630 treatment. Accordingly, EPs 7630 predominantly provoked activation of MAP kinases and inhibition of p38 strongly reduced the monocyte TNF-α production. The pretreatment of blood immune cells with EPs 7630 lowered their secretion of TNF-α and IL-10 and caused an IL-6 dominant response during second stimulation with viral or bacterial infection-mimicking agents. In summary, we demonstrate that EPs 7630 activates human monocytes, induces MAP kinase-dependent pro-inflammatory cytokines in these cells, and specifically modulates their production capacity of mediators known to lead to an increase of acute phase protein production in the liver, neutrophil generation in the bone marrow, and the generation of adaptive Th17 and Th22 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water stress is the most limiting factor in agricultural productivity in arid and semi-arid regions and causes very high losses in crop yield. Regulation of growth and stomatal conductance are the main mechanisms by which plants respond to water stress. Pelargonium sidoides is a medicinal plant that grows in South Africa and is used for the treatment of upper respiratory ailments. Cultivation has been considered as a viable means of reducing the pressure on natural populations of this species, but little to no information is available in this regard. Water and nitrogen supply are two of the most important factors that affect growth and yield of plants. This study therefore aimed at investigating the physiological and morphological response, in relation to growth, of P. sidoides to soil water and nitrogen levels. To achieve this objective, P. sidoides plants were grown under a rainshelter and exposed to three irrigation levels (well watered control, moderate water stress, and severe water stress treatment) and four nitrogen levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg · N · ha − 1 ). Nitrogen and water level had no significant interaction effect on measured parameters. Water stress significantly reduced stomatal conductance, while nitrogen had no significant effect on it. The well watered control had a significantly higher leaf area index, plant height, leaf area, and fresh root yield compared to the water stressed treatments. Nitrogen level had a significant effect on number of leaves, where 100 kg · N · ha − 1 had a significantly higher number of leaves compared to other nitrogen treatments. The study provides a first report on the response of P. sidoides to water and nitrogen and showed that the plant responds to water stress by closing its stomata and employing other morphological strategies like reducing plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two Pelargonium species which are indigenous to South Africa; P. sidoides DC and P. reniforme Curt., are highly valued traditional remedies used primarily for the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections. The ethnobotanical value of P. sidoides has led to the commercialisation of herbal medicinal products such as Umckaloabo that are marketed internationally. Although the two species can be distinguished by leaf shape and flower colour, the rhizomes which are used for preparation of the commercial extracts are morphologically similar. Non-targeted H-NMR and UHPLC-MS metabolomic approaches were applied to differentiate P. sidoides and P. reniforme extracts. qNMR was used for the quantitative comparison of the marker constituents occurring in both species. Both H-NMR and UHPLC-MS in combination with multivariate algorithms revealed a chemical distinction between the two species. Umckalin was identified as the marker compound in P. sidoides (0.0012-0.2760 % (w/w)) by UHPLC-MS, which occurred in trace quantities in P. reniforme (0-0.0016 % (w/w)). Conversely, coumarins such as scopoletin, isofraxoside and a scopoletin isomer were reported to occur in relatively higher levels in P. reniforme compared to P. sidoides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of photoperiod and meta-methoxytopolin riboside (M emTR)-auxin combinations on in vitro growth and physiological responses of Pelargonium sidoides DC. Shoot proliferation was highest under the conventional 16-h photoperiod. Based on the superiority of M emTR among other cytokinins from our previous study, it was selected for evaluating the cytokinin-auxin combination effect under long-day conditions. M emTR-auxin combinations had a significant effect on shoot proliferation compared to the control. The highest shoot proliferation rate (4.5 shoots/explant) was obtained on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with a combination of M emTR (1.0 μM) and α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA; 0.5 μM). Furthermore, combinations of M emTR and auxins had a synergistic effect on the concentration of photosynthetic pigments. On the other hand, photoperiod had no significant effect on the concentration of photosynthetic pigments. Formation of leaf glandular trichomes was influenced by photoperiod. Both 12- and 16-h photoperiods led to higher glandular trichome densities on the abaxial leaf surfaces of P. sidoides compared to plants grown under the 24-h photoperiod. M emTR-auxin combinations had a significant effect on the concentration of total phenolic compounds and flavonoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics and the disruption of beneficial microbiota are key problems in contemporary medicine and make the search for new, more efficient infection treatment strategies among the most important tasks in medicine. Multicomponent plant-derived preparations with mild antibacterial activity created by many simultaneous mechanisms together with anti-inflammatory, innate immune and regenerative capacity-stimulating properties are good candidates for this therapy, and proanthocyanidins are among the most promising compounds of this sort. In this study, we have isolated proanthocyanidins from Pelargonium sidoides DC root extract and characterized and compared the composition, antioxidant properties and antibacterial activity of the proanthocyanidin fraction with those of the whole extract. The results revealed that proanthocyanidins had significantly stronger antioxidant capacity compared to the root extract and exhibited a unique antibacterial action profile that selectively targets Gram-negative keystone periodontal and peri-implant pathogenic strains, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, while preserving the viability of beneficial oral commensal Streptococcus salivarius. The finding suggests that proanthocyanidins from Pelargonium sidoides root extract are good candidates for the prolonged and harmless treatment of infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]