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Dropwort (Filipendula vulgaris) and Arthritis / joint pain: evidence and sources
inferred from anti-rheumatic / analgesic action (salicylates)
For educational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants, especially alongside prescribed medication, during pregnancy, or for a serious condition.
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Ethnopharmacological relevance Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.), and dropwort (Filipendula vulgaris Moench) flowers are traditionally used to treat various ailments, including inflammatory conditions. The aim of the present study was to validate the aforementioned ethnomedicinal claim by assessing antihyperalgesic and antiedematous activities and toxicity of orally administered lyophilized flower infusions (LFIs) of F. ulmaria and F. vulgaris in experimental animals. Materials and methods The phytochemical analysis of LFIs was performed by HPLC-DAD. Antihyperalgesic and antiedematous activities were estimated in a rat model of inflammation induced by intraplantar injection of carrageenan using Von Frey anesthesiometer and plethysmometer, respectively. Moreover, acute oral toxicity of LFIs in mice was evaluated by observing changes in animal behavior and mortality for a period of 14 days following the treatment. Results HPLC-DAD analysis revealed the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids in LFIs, among which spiraeoside was identified as the principal component (56.27±1.03 and 55.67±1.82mg/g of LFI in F. ulmaria and F. vulgaris, respectively). The LFIs of F. ulmaria and F. vulgaris (100-300mg/kg; p.o.) produced significant and dose-dependent antihyperalgesic effects: ED 50 ±SEM values were 164.8±15.4mg/kg (110.3-246.3mg/kg) and 172.2±6.2mg/kg (147.4-201.3mg/kg) for F. ulmaria and F. vulgaris, respectively. On the other hand, LFIs of both species (100-300mg/kg; p.o.) did not significantly reduce edema. Good safety profiles were evidenced in the toxicological study. The median lethal dose (LD 50 ) of the tested extracts is likely to be greater than 2000mg/kg. Conclusion The results of the present study support the use of F. ulmaria and F. vulgaris flowers in folk medicine for relieving pain in diseases with an inflammatory component.
1 source supporting Dropwort for Arthritis / joint pain. Includes scientific publications, books, monographs and traditional-use references.
Mechanistic basis
This use is associated with the plant's anti-inflammatory action. Further evidence for that pharmacology:
Filipendula vulgaris Moench (dropwort) is used in traditional medicine for relieving various inflammation-related diseases. In the present study, the phytochemical profile of F. vulgaris aerial part (FVA) and root (FVR) methanolic extracts was evaluated by LC-DAD-HRMS analysis. Furthermore, their in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects, as well as their potential cytotoxicity, were assessed. Results showed that the extracts mainly contain phenolics like flavonoids, hydrolyzable tannins, procyanidins, and phenolic acid derivatives, including gaultherin. No in vitro cytotoxicity was found at the highest concentration (50 μg/mL). FVA extract (50 μg/mL) significantly inhibited cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 (COX-1 and COX-2) activities in vitro (>50% inhibition), and FVR extract considerably inhibited COX-2 activity (52.5 ± 2.7%) without affecting COX-2 gene expression in LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells. The extracts demonstrated prominent in vivo anti-inflammatory potential upon oral administration in rats. Especially FVA extract at 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced edema formation. From these results, it can be concluded that F. vulgaris extracts possess interesting anti-inflammatory properties.
Ethnopharmacological relevance Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.) and dropwort (Filipendula vulgaris Moench) are herbaceous perennials employed in folk medicine for their antirheumatic, antipyretic and anti-ulcer properties. Aim of the study To assess ethnomedicinal claims through investigation of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective effects of F. ulmaria and F. vulgaris lyophilized flower infusions (LFIs) as well as the F. vulgaris isolated flavonoids spiraeoside, kaempferol 4'-O-glucoside, astragalin 2'-O-gallate, mixture of hyperoside 2'-O-gallate and isoquercitrin 2'-O-gallate, and a tannin tellimagrandin II. Materials and methods Free radical scavenging activity of the tested samples was determined by examining their ability to neutralize DPPH and OH radicals in vitro, whereas reducing properties were assessed in Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay. Anti-inflammatory activity was studied ex vivo in human platelets by monitoring the effect on eicosanoid biosynthesis. Gastroprotective action was estimated in animal model of acute gastric injury induced by ethanol. Results LFIs and spiraeoside exerted activities comparable to those of positive control in DPPH-radical scavenging and FRAP antioxidant assays, whereas notable hydroxyl radical scavenging ability was demonstrated only for spiraeoside (IC 50 = 5.1μg/mL). Among tested samples, astragalin 2″-O-gallate (IC 50 = 141.1μg/mL) and spiraeoside (IC 50 = 4.69μg/mL) the most markedly inhibited production of pro-inflammatory prostaglandin E 2 and 12(S)-hydroxy-(5Z,8Z,10E,14Z)-eicosatetraenoic acid in human platelets, respectively. Examination of LFIs (100-300mg/kg, p.o.) gastroprotective action in rats revealed their capacity to preserve mucosal integrity. In addition, spiraeoside (50mg/kg, p.o.) and tellimagrandin II (40mg/kg, p.o.) showed ulcer preventive ability. Conclusion Current study supports documented traditional use of investigated herbs and indicates that flavonoid and tannin components are partially responsible for the demonstrated pharmacological activities.