Clinical-pharmacological aspects of the choice of phytocomponents for the regulation of the gastrointestinal function

The presentations of dyspepsia include a range of clinical symptoms, each of which has different mechanisms of development, and, therefore, requires different approaches to the correction. In this context, the combination preparations containing components of natural origin with polymodal action on the gastrointestinal tract deserve special attention. Combination of synergistic components: highly bioavailable curcumin and prebiotic fibers; artichoke leaf extract and chamomile flower extract provide simultaneous effects on three key digestive organs: stomach, pancreas and liver. Curcumin has an anti-inflammatory effect, helps to normalize acidity and restore microflora; epithelialization of ulcers; normalization of the gallbladder function; elimination of toxins. It inhibits the processes of primary tumour formation and prevents the development of metastatic processes in gastrointestinal cancer. Pharmaceutical technologies using cyclodextrin as an excipient increase curcumin’s water solubility, dispersibility and absorption, which has been confirmed in several comparative bioavailability studies in healthy volunteers. Chamomile flower extract has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, antiulcer, wound healing and astringent effects. Chamomile is rich in slimy substances that envelop and protect the inflamed mucous membrane, including the stomach, from irritation with hydrochloric acid, bile components, food, and drugs. Mucous substances also have an anti-inflammatory effect and improve digestion. The artichoke facilitates the outflow of bile, affects the secretion of gastric glands, pancreas, increases the enzymatic activity of gastric juice, enhances intestinal motility during its atony, and has a hepatoprotective effect. As can be seen from the above, a combination of these synergistic components can be used in patients with chronic diseases, functional disorders as part of combination therapy, as well as for the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases in healthy people.

The Effect of Walking Exercise and Consumption of Steeping Chamomile Flowers (Matricaria recutita) on Depression in the Elderly in Langsa City

BACKGROUND: The population of the elderly is increasing rapidly in almost every part of the world. A common problem faced by the elderly is prolonged depression. One of the practical and economic efforts to reduce depression is by walking and consuming chamomile flowers. AIM: The aim of this study is to analyzing the effect of walking exercise and consumption of chamomile (Matricaria recutita) flower infusion on depression in the elderly in Langsa City. METHODS: We used a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group design. This research was conducted from September to December 2020 in Karang Anyar Village, Langsa City. The population in this study were all elderly who met the inclusion criteria. The sample was selected as many as 24 elderly. The sample size of the study was calculated using the formula for the sample size for experimental research from Federer, namely (t–1) (r–1) ≥15). Data collection techniques in this study were interviews and observations using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) questionnaire instrument, which was carried out twice, namely at the time before treatment and after treatment in four groups, namely, the control group, the walking exercise group, the chamomile flower consumption group and the combination group of walking and exercise. Consume chamomile flowers. Data analysis used paired t-test and one-way analysis of variance test to see the effect of the intervention on depression. RESULTS: This study’s results indicate that walking can significantly reduce the GDS depression score with a p-value of 0.025. This study indicates that consumption of chamomile Flower can significantly reduce the GDS score of the elderly with a p-value of 0.037. This study showed that the combination of walking and consumption of chamomile tea was able to significantly reduce the GDS depression score with a p-value of 0.017. When viewed from the p-value, this treatment group showed the most significant reduction in the GDS depression score than the other two treatment groups, namely walking and consumption of chamomile tea. In the walking exercise group, the chamomile flowers were the consumption treatment group combined treatment group walking and chamomile tea consumption. All three treatments had the same ability to reduce the GDS score, as evidenced by a p-value of 0.808 (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Walking exercise and consumption of chamomile tea can significantly reduce the GDS score of the elderly in Langsa City.

Differences in the Aroma Profile of Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) after Different Drying Conditions

This experiment was conducted to examine the influence of drying methods on the essential oil of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) and its chemical composition. Chamomile flower heads were dried using five different methods: sunlight for 72 h; shade for 1 week; oven at 40 °C for 72 h; solar dryer for 72 h; and microwave for 5 min. Drying methods had slight and nonsignificant impacts on dry biomass of flower heads. The highest percentages of oil in flowers (0.35–0.50%) were observed after solar-drying methods, and the lowest percentage of oil was found after microwave drying (0.24–0.33%). Drying methods significantly influenced the number of identified compounds. The maximum was identified after solar drying (21 compounds), while the lowest was identified after microwave drying (13 compounds), which revealed the solar ability to preserve compounds in contrast to microwave, which crushed the compounds. Major compounds were α-bisabolol oxide A (33.0–50.5%), (Z)-tonghaosu (10.0–18.7%), α-bisabolol oxide B (8.2–15.4%), α-bisabolone oxide A (5.4–14.6%), and chamazulene (1.9–5.2%) of essential oil. Drying methods clearly affected major compounds’ content as the lowest α-bisabolol oxide A was after sun drying, and the lowest α-bisabolol oxide B was after solar drying. (Z)-tonghaosu increased during drying compared to fresh flowers. Solar drying maintained higher chamazulene content (3.0%) compared to other drying methods. The results of this study suggest that drying under the shady conditions preserved chemical composition of essential oil with higher α-bisabolol content compared to other drying methods.

Enhancing the Potentiality of Trichoderma harzianum against Pythium Pathogen of Beans Using Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla, L.) Flower Extract

Our present study was designed to investigate the role of both Trichoderma harzianum and chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) flower extract in mutual reaction against growth of Pythium ultimum. In vitro, the activity of chamomile extract was found to reduce the radial growth of Pythium ultimum up to 30% compared to the control. Whereas, the radial growth reduction effect of T. harzianum against P. ultimum reached 81.6% after 120 h. Data also showed the productivity of total phenolics and total flavonoids by T. harzianum, was 12.18 and 6.33 mg QE/100 mL culture filtrate, respectively. However, these compounds were determined in chamomile flower extract at concentrations of 75.33 and 24.29 mg QE/100 mL, respectively. The fractionation of aqueous extract of chamomile flower using HPLC provided several polyphenolic compounds such as pyrogallol, myricetin, rosemarinic acid, catechol, p-coumaric acid, benzoic acid, chlorogenic acid and other minor compounds. In vivo, the potentiality of T. harzianum with chamomile flower extract against Pythium pathogen of bean was investigated. Data obtained showed a reduction in the percentage of rotted seed and infected seedling up to 28 and 8%, respectively. Whereas, the survival increased up to 64% compared to other ones. There was also a significant promotion in growth features, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, total polyphenols and flavonoids, polyphenol-oxidase and peroxidase enzymes compared to other ones. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reported studies that included the mutual association of fungus, T. harzianum with the extract taken from the chamomile flower against P. ultimum, either in vitro or in vivo. In conclusion, the application of both T. harzianum and/or M. chamomilla extracts in the control of bean Pythium pathogen showed significant results.

Anti-Inflammatory and Barrier-Stabilising Effects of Myrrh, Coffee Charcoal and Chamomile Flower Extract in a Co-Culture Cell Model of the Intestinal Mucosa

Recent clinical evidence suggests the efficacy of a traditional herbal medicinal product containing myrrh (Commiphora molmol Engl.), coffee charcoal (Coffea arabica L.) and chamomile flower dry extract (Matricaria chamomilla L.) in the therapy of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). However, the mechanisms of action in this context have not been entirely elucidated. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of myrrh, coffee charcoal and chamomile flower extract on the inflammatory cross talk between immune and intestinal epithelial cells together with the resulting intestinal barrier disorders. A complex co-culture cell model consisting of intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) monolayers (Caco-2, HT29-MTX-E12) and macrophages (THP-1) was established for the simultaneous investigation of these two IBD characteristics. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activation of the macrophages led to a pro-inflammatory mediator release and thereby an inflammatory stimulation of IECs with chemokine release and reduced barrier function. The effects of the individual plant extracts and a ternary combination on inflammatory mediator release (IL-6, TNF, IL-8, MCP-1, PGE2) was quantified by ELISA. The transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) of IEC monolayers was measured to evaluate the effects on the barrier function. Budesonide served as a positive control. All three plant extracts exhibited anti-inflammatory properties via the inhibition of the inflammatory mediator release to a varying extent. An intestinal barrier stabilising effect was observed for myrrh and coffee charcoal. Myrrh exerted the most distinct pharmacological activity. Dose reducing and synergistic interactions emerged within the threefold combination. Thus, our results provide a mechanistic basis for the use of the herbal combination of myrrh, coffee charcoal and chamomile flower extract in IBD treatment and underline the potential benefits of the phytotherapeutic multi-component/multi-target approach in this complex pathogenesis.