Extract of Solidago chilensis Meyen inflorescences: cytotoxicity and inhibitory activity on nitric oxide synthesis in activated macrophage cell line J774A. 1

Solidago chilensis Meyen (= Solidago microglossa) popularly known as "Brazilian arnica" is used to treat of inflammatory disorders. S. chilensis is constant in the Therapeutic Memento of the Rio de Janeiro city and belongs to the medicinal species of Brazilian National List of Medicinal Plants of Interest of the Unified National Health System (SUS). There are no studies in the literature showing the direct activity of this plant species on immune system cells. The present study evaluated the chemical composition as well as the cytotoxic and pharmacological activity of the ether-ethanol extract from S. chilensis inflorescences (SCIE) in murine macrophage cell line J774A.1. The results showed that higher concentrations (50 to 200 µg/mL) of SCIE had significant cytotoxicity on J774A.1 cells, however, lower concentrations (from 10 to 0.1 µg/mL) did not produce significant cytotoxic effects and exhibited an inhibitory effect on nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated J774A.1 cell line. The chemical analysis by HPLC-UV-PDA indicated that the SCIE contains flavonoid derived from quercetin and kaempferol; and diterpenes, probably labdanes. These findings complement data in the literature regarding the activity of this plant species on an important cell from the immune system involved in the innate and acquired immune response, the macrophages.

Preclinical studies of hydroalcoholic extract of Calea uniflora Less / Estudios preclínicos de extracto hidroalcohólico de Calea uniflora Less

Calea uniflora Less known popularly as Arnica in Brazil, is a native plant from Brazil, popular used by coastal populations from south of Santa Catarina. The purpose of this study was to verify the safety profile in of hydroalcoholic extract of C. uniflora in florescences.The hydroalcoholic extract of C. uniflora in florescences was evaluated for its acute and sub-acute toxicity. Acute topical toxicity was performed using the methodology of guideline 402 from OECD. Acute oral toxicity was performed using the methodology of guideline 423 from OECD and sub-acute toxicity was performed using the methodology adapted of guideline 407 from OECD. The single dose for oral or topical administration of C. uniflora showed DL50> 5000 mg/kg b.w. The sub-acute treatment induced animal death in groups, which was administered extract in the doses 100, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg. The main signs of toxicity observed were respiratory difficulty, increase in lung weigh, lung damage and muscular relation. The topical or oral administration of C. uniflora extract in short period did not caused toxicological effects in animals, however, when administered for a longer period and in concentrations of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg (oral.) caused lung damage and even the death of the animal.

Calea uniflora Less conocida popularmente como Arnica en Brasil, es una planta nativa de Brasil, popularmente utilizada por poblaciones costeras del sur de Santa Catarina. El objetivo de este estudio fue verificar el perfil de seguridad del extracto hidroalcoólico de inflorescencias de C. uniflora. El extracto hidroalcoólico de inflorescencias de C. uniflora fue evaluado en cuanto a su toxicidad aguda y subaguda. La toxicidad tópica aguda se realizó utilizando la metodología de la directriz 402 de la OECD. La toxicidad oral aguda fue realizada usando la metodología de la directriz 423 de la OECD y la toxicidad subaguda fue realizada usando la metodología adaptada de la directriz 407 de la OECD. La dosis única para administración oral o tópica de C. uniflora mostro DL50> 5000 mg/kg. El tratamiento subagudo indujo la muerte de animales en grupos a los que se administró extracto en las dosis de 100, 250, 500 y 1000 mg/kg. Los principales signos de toxicidad observados fueron dificultad respiratoria, aumento del peso del pulmón, daño pulmonar y relación muscular. La administración tópica oral del extracto de C. uniflora a corto plazo no causó efectos toxicológicos en los animales, mientras que, cuando se administró por un período mayor y en las concentraciones de 250, 500 y 1000 mg/kg (oral) causaron danos en los pulmones y hasta la muerte del animal.

Effectiveness and Safety of Arnica montana in Post-Surgical Setting, Pain and Inflammation.

Arnica montana has been widely used as a homeopathic remedy for the treatment of several inflammatory conditions in pain management and postoperative settings. This review gives an overview of the therapeutic use of Arnica montana in the above-mentioned fields also focusing on its mechanisms of action learned from animal models and in vitro studies. Arnica montana is more effective than placebo when used for the treatment of several conditions including post-traumatic and postoperative pain, edema, and ecchymosis. However, its dosages and preparations used have produced substantial differences in the clinical outcome. Cumulative evidence suggests that Arnica montana may represent a valid alternative to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, at least when treating some specific conditions.

Herbal medicines--a cautionary tale.

We report an extensive intra-operative bleed which may have occurred as a result of the patient taking a herbal medicine. The patient underwent orthognathic surgery as a part of his orthodontic treatment, and lost approximately 3.5 litres of blood during the procedure. Preoperative blood tests were normal; the patient took no prescription medications and an appendectomy had been performed without incident. To aid healing, however, the patient had taken arnica the day before his operation. A concise literature review is presented which outlines the causes of surgical bleeding and discusses some of the bleeding concerns that herbal medicine use may raise for clinicians. Herbal medicines may contribute to unexplained surgical bleeding in the absence of other causative factors; it would therefore be useful to include an enquiry about the taking of herbal remedies at the history-taking stage for dental and maxillofacial surgical procedures.

Ação anti-edematosa: arnica montana 6ch X diclofenaco de sódio 50 mg / Anti-edematous action: arnica montana 6ch X diclofenac sodium 50 mg

Objetivo: Avaliar a ação do medicamento homeopático Arnica montana 6 cH comparada ao Diclofenaco Sódico 50mg no controle do edema após remoção de terceiros molares inclusos. Métodos: O trabalho tratou-se de uma pesquisa experimental, cruzada, randomizada, duplo-cega, realizada em 30 alunos voluntários do curso de Odontologia da Universidade Federal de Sergipe, com presença de dentes inclusos em bilaterais, perfazendo um total de 120 dentes, com indicação da mesma técnica cirúrgica exodôntica. Os grupos foram divididos em Grupo A: os que usaram a Arnica Montana 6cH e Grupo D: os que usaram Diclofenaco de Sódio 50mg. Para a mensuração do edema, foi utilizada uma fita métrica com a qual foram tomadas três medidas como referência: 1) canto de olho ao tragus (CO-T); 2) canto de olho ao ângulo da mandíbula (CO-AM); 3) comissura labial ao tragus (CL-T). Estas foram realizadas quatro vezes sendo a primeira logo após o fim do procedimento cirúrgico, e as demais após 24h, 48h e 72h da cirurgia. O teste de Shapiro-Wilk foi usado para verificação da distribuição normal das variáveis. Nas variáveis que apresentaram dados paramétricos foi usado o teste de comparação de Student. Os dados foram considerados estatisticamente significantes quando p menor que 0,05. Resultados: No período de 48h pós-cirurgia, o edema foi mais marcante para ambos os grupos nos segmentos CO-AM e CL-T. Após 72h ocorreu uma regressão do edema para ambas as medicações testadas. O segmento que menos apresentou edema foi o CO-T para as duas medicações. O teste de Student mostrou que as medicações se equivalem na efetividade anti-edematosa (p maior que 0,05). Conclusão: O medicamento homeopático Arnica montana 6 cH possui eficácia no controle do edema pós-extração de terceiros molares inclusos. A Arnica montana 6cH quando comparada ao Diclofenaco de Sódio 50mg se mostrou equivalente no controle do edema pós-cirúrgico.

Objective: To evaluate the Arnica montana 6 cH homeopathic efficacy compared to 50mg Diclofenac Sodium in the control of edema after removal of third molars. Methods: This work was an experimental, cross, randomized, double-blind study held on 30 volunteers student from the Dental School at the Sergipe Federal University, with the presence of impacted teeth on both sides, making a total of 120 teeth, indicating the same surgical technique. The groups were divided as follows: GROUP A: those who used the Arnica Montana 6cH and GROUP D: those who used 50mg Diclofenac Sodium. For edema measurement, we used a measure tape with which three measures were taken as reference: 1) eye corner to the tragus (EC-T); 2) eye corner to the jaw angle (EC-JA); 3) labial commissure to the tragus (LC-T). These were four times the first being shortly after the end of surgery and the remaining after 24h, 48h and 72h the end of surgery. Shapiro-Wilk test was used to verify the normal distribution of the studied variables. For normal distribution, Student test was used. The data were considered statistically significant when p less than 0.05. Results: In 48h post-surgery, the edema was notable for both groups in the segments EC-JA and LC-T. After 72h there was decrease of the edema for both drugs tested. The segment EC-T showed less edema for two medications. Student test showed that medications were similar anti-edematous efficacy (p greater than 0.05). Conclusions: The homeopathic remedy Arnica montana 6 cH has efficacy in controlling post-extraction edema of third molars. The Arnica montana 6cH compared to 50mg Diclofenac Sodium was equivalent to control postoperative edema.

Perioperative risks and benefits of herbal supplements in aesthetic surgery.

Most medications, herbal preparations, and nutraceutical supplements have notable effects on biochemical pathways and may influence wound healing, coagulation, and cardiovascular function. They can also interact with other drugs. A large portion of the data available regarding the effects of naturopathic medicines is anecdotal. Marketing of certain products may be misleading and potentially harmful, and quality control standards are highly variable. In order to ensure quality control and standardization of products, it is prudent to work with preparations manufactured by companies that adhere to pharmaceutical (good manufacturing practice [GMP]) standards. However, many of these higher-quality products are not readily available to the public over the counter. A large percentage of patients undergoing plastic surgery use one or more herbal medications, but the disclosure of such medications to allopathic providers is often incomplete. In addition, patients may not understand the importance of discontinuing such medications before surgery. The authors review research on the possible benefits and risks of commonly used herbal medications such as arnica montana, St. John's wort, bromelain, echinacea, ginkgo biloba, ephedra, valerian, and others, focusing on their potentially positive or negative impact during the perioperative period of aesthetic surgery. Good communication with surgical patients, including the administration of a presurgical questionnaire to help identify any use of herbal medications, is emphasized.

Cosmetics and herbal remedies with Compositae plant extracts - are they tolerated by Compositae-allergic patients?

BACKGROUND: Compositae-sensitive patients are routinely warned against topical use of Compositae-containing cosmetics and herbal remedies. However, the risk of elicitation of dermatitis in presensitized persons is unknown. OBJECTIVES: The main aim of this study was to assess the significance of direct plant allergen contact via Compositae-derived cosmetics and herbal remedies in Compositae-allergic patients with special reference to arnica (Arnica montana) and German chamomile (Chamomilla recutita). METHODS: 8 of 12 chamomile-sensitive patients tested positive to chamomile-containing preparations, including tea, creams, ointments, and oil. 5 of 6 arnica-sensitive persons tested positive to arnica-based products. RESULTS: When the group was patch tested with cosmetic and/or herbal product ingredients, plant allergens elicited positive reactions most frequently, but fragrances, emulsifiers, and preservatives tested positive as well. Plant allergens were mainly derived from Compositae, but avocado oil, and Hamamelis virginiana tincture were unexpectedly detected as sensitizers too. Chemical analyses indicated that the Compositae allergens were both sesquiterpene lactones and other naturally occurring compounds. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, Compositae-allergic persons should be warned against topical use of Compositae-containing products, not only because of the plant allergens, but also because of allergenic cream constituents that may cause reactions in the group of patients who have multiple contact allergies beside the Compositae allergy.

Contact sensitization from Compositae-containing herbal remedies and cosmetics.

The Compositae (Asteraceae) family of plants is currently an important cause of allergic plant contact dermatitis in Europe. The family comprises some of the oldest and most valued medicinal plants, and the increasing popularity of herbal medicine and cosmetics may theoretically result in a growing number of Compositae sensitizations from these sources. According to the literature at least 15 species, including among others arnica (Arnica montana), German and Roman chamomile (Chamomilla recutita and Chamaemelum nobile), marigold (Calendula officinalis), Echinacea and elecampane (Inula helenium), have been suspected of sensitization or elicitation of Compositae dermatitis. Epidemiological data are available for 2 species only, arnica and German chamomile, the rest of the evidence being anecdotal. Based on this, sensitization seems to occur relatively frequently with a few species such as arnica and elecampane, and occurs rarely with the majority, especially the widely used German chamomile. Sesquiterpene lactones are the most important allergens, but there are a few cases of sensitization from a coumarin, a sesquiterpene alcohol and a thiophene. The risk of elicitation of dermatitis by using Compositae-containing products in Compositae-sensitive individuals is by-and-large unknown.

The seamy side of natural medicines: contact sensitization to arnica (Arnica montana L.) and marigold (Calendula officinalis L.).

Medical remedies of plant origin have gained increasing popularity in recent years. Both anaphylactic and eczematous allergic reactions are on the rise, accordingly. Arnica and marigold, both of the Compositae family, are in widespread use, but only limited data are available on their allergenic potential. We tested 443 consecutive patients, in addition to the European standard and other series, with Compositae mix, sesquiterpene lactone mix, arnica, marigold, and propolis. 5 subjects ( approximately 1.13%) reacted to arnica, 9 ( approximately 2.03%) to marigold. The Compositae mix was positive in 18 cases ( approximately 4.06%). Among them were 3 out of 5 individuals with a sensitization to arnica, and 4 out of 9 who reacted to marigold. Sensitization to arnica and marigold was often accompanied by reactions to nickel, Myroxylon Pereirae resin, fragrance mix, propolis, and colophonium. We conclude that Compositae allergy contributes significantly to the epidemiology of contact dermatitis and that sensitization to arnica and marigold cannot be assessed by testing with the Compositae or sesquiterpene mix alone. As extracts of these plants are frequently used in occupational and cosmetic products, patch testing with additional plant extracts or adjustment of the commercial Compositae mix to regional conditions is recommended.