[Pharmacological experiments with compounds of chamomile. III. Experimental studies of the ulcerprotective effect of chamomile (author's transl)].
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Animals↗
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[Pharmacological investigations with compounds of chamomile. V. Investigations on the spasmolytic effect of compounds of chamomile and Kamillosan on the isolated guinea pig ileum].
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Animals↗
[Old and new methods of chamomile therapy. Chamomile as example for modern research of medicinal plants].
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History, 20th Century↗
Allergic conjunctivitis to chamomile tea.
Eye washing with chamomile tea is a folk remedy used by the general public to treat conjunctivitis and other ocular reactions. Chamomile is also found in many cosmetic products. Some cases of contact dermatitis (but not reactions of type I) were reported following its topical applications. We present seven hay fever patients that suffered from conjunctivitis; two of them also had lid angioedema after eye washing with chamomile tea. All seven patients had positive skin prick tests to the chamomile tea extract, Matricaria chamomilla pollen and Artemisia vulgaris pollen extracts. Positive conjunctival provocations were also observed in all the patients with the chamomile tea extract. In contrast, no symptoms were observed after oral challenges with this infusion. IgE activity against chamomile tea and Matricaria and Artemisia extracts (composite pollens) was detected by ELISA in the seven patients' sera. A cross reactivity among the above extracts was observed by an ELISA inhibition study. In all cases, the IgE activity to chamomile tea could fully be absorbed by Matricaria pollen extract. Skin prick tests and conjunctival provocation tests also performed in 100 hay fever controls revealed a positive immediate skin response to Artemisia in 15 patients, eight of them also to Matricaria pollen and five of them to Chamomile tea as well. Only two of the last patients had a positive conjunctival response. The results were negative in the rest of the controls. We conclude that the chamomile tea eye washing can induce allergic conjunctivitis. Matricaria chamomilla pollens contained in these infusions are the allergens responsible for these reactions.
Administration, Oral↗
Anaphylactic reaction after the ingestion of chamomile tea: a study of cross-reactivity with other composite pollens.
We report a case of an 8-year-old atopic boy in whom ingestion of a chamomile-tea infusion precipitated a severe anaphylactic reaction. The patient suffers from hay fever and bronchial asthma caused by a variety of pollens (grass, olive, and mugwort). This severe reaction was developed after his first ingestion of chamomile tea. Studies revealed the presence of immediate skin test reactivity and a positive passive transfer test to chamomile-tea extract. Moreover, both specific antichamomile-tea extract and anti-Matricaria chamomilla-pollen extract IgE antibodies were detected by an ELISA technique. Cross-reactivity among chamomile-tea extract and the pollens of Matricaria chamomilla, Ambrosia trifida (giant ragweed), and Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort), was demonstrated by an ELISA-inhibition study. These findings suggest a type I IgE-mediated immunologic mechanism as being responsible for the patient's anaphylactic symptoms and also suggest that the patient cross-reacted the pollens of Matricaria chamomilla contained in the chamomile tea because he was previously sensitized to Artemisia pollen.
Anaphylaxis↗
Dietary intake of the flower extracts of German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) inhibited compound 48/80-induced itch-scratch responses in mice.
The antipruritic effects of the diets containing German chamomile on the compound 48/80-induced scratching in ddY mice were examined. Since it is reported that an injection of compound 48/80, but not histamine, induced scratching behaviour due to itch but not to pain in ddY mice (Kuraishi et al., 1995), compound 48/80-induced scratching in ddY mice seems to be a suitable parameter for evaluating antipruritic agents independent of histamine receptor antagonism. In the mice fed the diet containing 1.2 w/w % of the ethyl acetate extract of dried flower of German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) for 11 days, the compound 48/80-induced scratching behaviour was significantly suppressed. The ethyl acetate extract of German chamomile dose dependently suppressed compound 48/80-induced scratching without affecting body weight increase. The ethyl acetate fraction of the ethanol extract and the ethanol extract of hot water extraction residue of German chamomile flower also showed strong inhibition on the compound 48/80-induced scratching. The inhibitory effects of the dietary intake of the German chamomile extracts on compound 48/80-induced itch-scratch response were comparable to oxatomide (10 mg/kg, p.o.), an anti-allergic agent.
Animals↗
Prospective evaluation of a chamomile mouthwash for prevention of 5-FU-induced oral mucositis.
BACKGROUND: Stomatitis has been found to be a major dose-limiting toxicity from bolus 5-fluorouracil-based (5-FU) chemotherapy regimens, despite the use of oral cryotherapy. Pursuant to preliminary data which suggested that a chamomile mouthwash might ameliorate this toxicity, a prospective trial was developed to test chamomile in this situation. METHODS: A Phase III, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was designed. Patients were entered into the study at the time of their first cycle of 5-FU-based chemotherapy. All patients received oral cryotherapy for 30 minutes with each dose of 5-FU. In addition, each patient was randomized to receive a chamomile or placebo mouthwash thrice daily for 14 days. Stomatitis scores were determined by health care providers and by patients themselves. RESULTS: There were 164 evaluable and well-stratified patients equally randomized to both treatment groups. There was no suggestion of any stomatitis difference between patients randomized to either protocol arm. There was also no suggestion of toxicity. Subset analysis did reveal unsuspected differential effects between males and females that could not be explained by reasons other than chance. CONCLUSION: The resultant data from this clinical trial did not support the prestudy hypothesis that chamomile could decrease 5-FU-induced stomatitis.
Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic↗
Clinical cross-reactivity between Artemisia vulgaris and Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile).
Artemisia vulgaris is a common weed and an important source of allergens on the subtropical island of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. It pollinates mainly from July to September, although, due to some local climatic conditions, it may flower throughout the year. Cross-reactivity with hazelnut, kiwi, birch, several Compositae (Ambrosia, Chrysanthemum, Matricaria, Solidago) and grass allergens has been suggested. Few studies have addressed the issue of in vivo cross-reactivity between A. vulgaris and Matricaria chamomilla. The objective of this study was to perform conjunctival and bronchial challenges with A. vulgaris and M. chamomilla and oral challenge with chamomile in 24 patients with asthma and/or rhinitis sensitized primarily to A. vulgaris. Skin prick tests with M. chamomilla were positive in 21 patients. Eighteen patients had a positive conjunctival provocation test with a A. vulgaris pollen extract and 13 patients had a positive conjunctival provocation test with a M. chamomilla pollen extract. Bronchial provocation tests with A. vulgaris were positive in 15 patients and with M. chamomilla pollen in another 16 individuals. Oral provocation tests, conducted with a commercial chamomile infusion were positive in 13 patients. Nine of these individuals were skin test positive to food allergens and 17 to others pollens of the Compositae family. This study confirms a high degree of in vivo cross-reactivity between A. vulgaris and M. chamomilla. Sensitization to A. vulgaris seems to be a primary risk factor for experiencing symptoms after the ingestion of chamomile infusions. Based on the results of bronchial provocation tests, M. chamomilla pollen could be a relevant inhalant allergen.
Administration, Oral↗
Efficacy of chamomile-extract spray for prevention of post-operative sore throat.
A randomized, double-blind study was carried out to assess the effect of 111 mg of Chamomile extract spray compared with normal saline spray (placebo) administered before intubation on post-operative sore throat and hoarseness. One hundred and sixty-one ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) physical status I, II elective surgical patients were recruited. Forty-two out of 80 patients (52.5%) in the Chamomile group scored no post-operative sore throat in the post-anesthesia care unit compared with 41 out of 81 patients (50.6%) in the placebo group, p=0.159. Post-operative sore throat and hoarseness both in the post-anesthesia care unit and 24 hour after operation were not statistically different. There was no statistically significant relationship between sore throat or hoarseness and ASA physical status, sex, history of smoking, grade of laryngoscopic view, number of intubation attempts, condition during intubation and condition of extubation. However, there was significant correlation between use of oral airway and sore throat in the post-anesthesia care unit and 24 hours after operation (p=0.031 and 0.002 respectively). Chamomile extract spray administered before intubation, therefore, can not prevent post-operative sore throat and hoarseness.
Administration, Topical↗
Effect of inhalation of chamomile oil vapour on plasma ACTH level in ovariectomized-rat under restriction stress.
We found that inhaling chamomile oil vapour decreased restriction stress-induced increases of plasma ACTH level in ovariectomized rat. The plasma ACTH level decreased further when diazepam was administered along with inhaling chamomile oil vapour. Flumazenile blocked the decrease in plasma ACTH level induced by inhaled chamomile oil vapour.
Administration, Inhalation↗
A study of the production of essential oils in chamomile hairy root cultures.
The active substances in chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) belong to chemically different structural types. The largest group of medically important compounds forming the essential oils are primarily chamazulene, (-)-alpha-bisabolol, bisabololoxides, bisabolonoxide A, trans-beta-farnesene, alpha-farnesene, spathulenol and the cis/trans-en-in-dicycloethers. Flavonoids, coumarins, mucilages, mono- and oligosaccharides also have pharmacological effects. We studied the production of essential oils in genetically transformed cultures. Sterile juvenile chamomile plants were infected with A4-Y strains of Agrobacterium rhizogenes. They are known plant pathogens and are capable of inducing so-called hairy roots. The transfer DNA segment of the Ri-virulence plasmid of A. rhizogenes becomes integrated in the genome of the plant cells. The isolated hairy roots grow rapidly on hormone-free media. In order to obtain bacteria-free media, we cultured the transformed roots on Murashige-Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with carbenicillin (800 mg/l). To study the production of essential oils, the clones were propagated on liquid and solid MS and Gamborg (B5) media, respectively. According to gas chromatography, the composition of the essential oil of hairy root cultures on different media was found to be similar, but differing in proportion. The main component of the essential oil which was identified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry was trans-beta-farnesene, as in the intact roots.
Chamomile↗
New terpenoids in cultivated and wild chamomile (in vivo and in vitro).
The effect of Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert is made up by several groups of active substances, among which terpenoids in the inflorescences are of greatest importance. Among cultivated species, the Hungarian BK-2 contains more chamazulene in its essential oil than the German Degumil type, which is mainly cultivated for its (-)-alpha-bisabolol. Both components have important antiinflammatory activities. Among wild chamomile populations in Hungary, a population was found in the area of Szabadkigyós containing significant amounts-on average 48%-of (-)-alpha-bisabolol in its inflorescence oil. In vitro cultures were made from this population to obtain propagation material containing a high number of active substances. The intact roots contained no (-)-alpha-bisabolol but the sesquiterpene alcohol beta-eudesmol as new compound was identified by our group. Sterile plantlets, cultured in vitro, were multiplied for phytochemical investigations. Pharmacologically important compounds of the essential oils were followed in great detail. The amount of in vitro cultured terpenoids and polyin compounds was compared with that of in vivo plants. These volatile compounds were identified by comparing their retention times with those of authentic standards, essential oils of known composition and peak enrichment. The confirmation of identity was done by comparison of their mass spectra with those reported in the literature and reference compounds. The percentage evaluation of each component was made by area normalisation. Gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS) showed that sterile chamomile cultures generated the most important terpenoid and polyin compounds characteristic of the parent plant. We identified germacrene-D, berkheyaradulene, 4-(2', 4', 4'-trimethyl-bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-2'-en-3'-yl)-3-buten-2-one, geranyl-isovalerate and cedrol as new components in these sterile cultures.
Biological Specimen Banks↗
Inhibitory effect of chamomile essential oil on the sister chromatid exchanges induced by daunorubicin and methyl methanesulfonate in mouse bone marrow.
Different preparations of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) are used to treat various diseases, including inflammation and cancer; however, no studies on the plant's antigenotoxic capacity have been made. The aim of the present work was to determine the inhibitory effect of the chamomile essential oil (CO), on the sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) produced by daunorubicin and methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) in mouse bone marrow cells. CO was analyzed and was found to contain 13 compounds, mainly bisabolol and its oxides, chamazulene, farnesene, germacrene and other sesquiterpenes. Initially, a toxic and a genotoxic analysis of CO were made; both showed negative results. To determine whether CO can inhibit the mutagenic effects induced by daunorubicin, one group of mice was administered corn oil, another group was treated with the mutagen (10 mg/kg), a third group was treated with 500 mg/kg of CO; three other groups were treated first with CO (5, 50 and 500 mg/kg) and then with 10 mg/kg of daunorubicin. In the case of MMS, the experimental groups consisted of the following: the negative control group which was administered corn oil, a group treated with 25 mg/kg of MMS, a group treated with 1000 mg/kg of CO, and three groups treated first with CO (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) and then with MMS (25 mg/kg). The results indicated a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the SCEs formed by both mutagens. In the case of daunorubicin, a statistically significant result was observed in the three tested doses: from the lowest to the highest dose, the inhibitory values corresponded to 25.7, 63.1 and 75.5%. No alterations were found with respect to the cellular proliferation kinetics, but a reduction in the mitotic index was detected. As regards MMS, the inhibitory values were 24.8, 45.8 and 60.6%; no alterations were found in either the cellular proliferation kinetics or in the mitotic indices. Our results suggest that CO may be an effective antimutagen that could be considered for further study.
Animals↗
[Surveillance of phytotherapeutic drugs in the state of Minas Gerais. Quality assessment of commercial samples of chamomile].
Marketing of medicinal plants and phytotherapeutic products is spreading all over the world. In order to assess the commercialization of medicinal plants and phytotherapeutic products in the State of Minas Gerais, we identified and tested for the presence of adulterants and active ingredients in 27 samples of chamomile. All the samples consisted of Matricaria recutita flowers, but they were badly fragmented, a result of excessive handling and poor preservation. All samples contained contaminants, and insects were observed in 63% of the samples sold in drugstores. Only 50% of the samples in each group had the essential oils needed to produce antiinflammatory activity. Flavonoids and other phenolic constituents with a spasmolytic effect were detected in only 20% of the samples from each group. Results with chamomile indicated the poor quality with which medicinal plants and phytotherapeutic products are marketed and confirm the need for surveillance of such products in Brazil.
Anticarcinogenic Agents↗
Modulation of lipopolysaccharide-induced proinflammatory cytokine production in vitro and in vivo by the herbal constituents apigenin (chamomile), ginsenoside Rb(1) (ginseng) and parthenolide (feverfew).
Dietary supplements are not subject to the same pre-market approval as conventional drugs, thus the true efficacy and, in cases, safety of these products is not known. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential anti-inflammatory properties of three herbal constituents, apigenin (chamomile), ginsenoside Rb(1) (ginseng) and parthenolide (feverfew) on lipopolysaccaharide (LPS)-induced proinflammatory cytokine production, and to determine if effects in cell culture could predict results in an intact animal model. Murine macrophage cells and mice were treated with the stimulant LPS and herbal constituents, and resultant culture supernatant and serum, respectively, were evaluated for interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha by ELISA. All three constituents inhibited LPS-induced IL-6 and/or TNF-alpha production in culture. Inhibition of these two cytokines was observed in mice, but did not display the same patterns of inhibition as cell culture data. The results suggest that all three constituents possessed anti-inflammatory properties, but that cell culture data can only be used to approximate potential effects in animals, and must be confirmed using appropriate animal models.
Animals↗
Analytical and preparative supercritical fluid extraction of chamomile flowers and its comparison with conventional methods.
Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) was compared with Soxhlet extraction, steam distillation and maceration for the isolation of the active components present in chamomile flowerheads. The obtained fractions were analysed by GC-MS and reversed-phase HPLC. The yield of essential oil achieved by a 30-min extraction with pure CO2 at 90 atm and 40 degrees C was 4.4 times higher than that produced by steam distillation performed for 4 h. The recovery of the flavonoid apigenin obtained by supercritical CO2 after a 30-min extraction at 200 atm and 40 degrees C was 71.4% compared to Soxhlet extraction performed for 6 h and 124.6% compared to maceration performed for 3 days. However, the highly polar flavonoid apigenin-7-glucoside was not extracted by 100% CO2 (recovery values < 1.1%). Its extraction efficiency was markedly improved by the addition of the polar modifier methanol (5%, v/v) to the CO2 fluid, yet the obtained recoveries were unsatisfactory (14.6-19.5%). The SFE method was scaled-up for preparative applications using a pilot plant with three separation stages operating in series. Large-scale SFE was technically feasible with pure CO2 as the extracting fluid. However, the use of CO2 modified with organic solvents was not effective at the pilot-plant scale.
Chamomile↗
Suitability of two root-mining weevils for the biological control of scentless chamomile, Tripleurospermum perforatum, with special regard to potential non-target effects.
The biology and host range of the two root-mining weevils Diplapion confluens Kirby and Coryssomerus capucinus (Beck), two potential agents for the biological control of scentless chamomile Tripleurospermum perforatum (Mérat) Laínz, were studied in the field in southern Germany and eastern Austria, and in a common garden and under laboratory conditions in Delémont, Switzerland from 1993 to 1999. Both weevils were univoltine, and females started to lay eggs in early spring. Diplapion confluens had three and C. capucinus five instars. Larvae of both species were found in the field from mid-April until the end of July; later instars preferentially fed in the vascular cylinder of the shoot base, root crown or root. Although larvae of both species occupy the same temporal and spatial niche within their host plants, they occurred at all investigated field sites together, and showed a similar distribution within sites. No negative or positive interspecific association was detected. Host-specificity tests including no-choice, single-choice, and multiple-choice tests under confined conditions, as well as tests under field conditions with natural and augmented insect densities revealed that both herbivores were specific to plant species in the tribe Anthemideae. However, their development to mature larva or adult on several cultivated plants, as well as on one plant species native to North America, rendered them unsuitable for field release in North America. It was concluded that to investigate non-target effects reliably, host-specificity tests with biological control agents should be carried out under a variety of conditions, particularly with augmented insect densities, as are expected to occur naturally after release.
Animals↗
["More is not better"--evaluation of toxicologic risks of the heavy metals, lead and cadmium, and the herbicides, linuron, fluazifop-P-butyl and cycloxydim in dried Chamomile flowers (Chamomilla recutita L. Rauschert)].
Cadmium and all three enumerated herbicide residues in dried samples of industrially grown true chamomile were found to be above the suggested and accepted tolerance values. The results are discussed with regard to the current Croatian regulation and FAO/WHO recommendations on herbicides and to human toxicology risk assessment. The paper gives a critical evaluation of the herbicide overuse in agricultural practice and strongly discouraged such practice. The authors advocate prospective use of plants as natural indicators of environmental contamination and toxicological burden of the human food chain.
Cadmium↗