Symptom → Plant Sources
Elder (Sambucus nigra) as a tool for helping with Arthritis / joint pain
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
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Full Elder monograph →All plants for arthritis / joint pain →
Elderberry has been used in folk medicine for centuries to treat influenza, colds and sinusitis, and has been reported to have antiviral activity against influenza and herpes simplex. We investigated the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry syrup for treating influenza A and B infections. Sixty patients (aged 18-54 years) suffering from influenza-like symptoms for 48 h or less were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study during the influenza season of 1999-2000 in Norway. Patients received 15 ml of elderberry or placebo syrup four times a day for 5 days, and recorded their symptoms using a visual analogue scale. Symptoms were relieved on average 4 days earlier and use of rescue medication was significantly less in those receiving elderberry extract compared with placebo. Elderberry extract seems to offer an efficient, safe and cost-effective treatment for influenza. These findings need to be confirmed in a larger study.
3 sources supporting Elder 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:
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is rich in (poly)phenolic and terpenoid compounds and exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-influenza, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, cardiovascular-protective and neuroprotective activities. This review summarises its bioactive compounds, health functions and food applications.
Extracts from three Portuguese elderberry (Sambucus nigra) cultivars dose-dependently inhibited nitric oxide release in LPS-stimulated macrophages (anti-inflammatory) and prevented up to 90% of oxidative toxicity in HepG2 and Caco-2 cells, preventing glutathione depletion and DNA fragmentation, demonstrating anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential.
Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) fruit is rich in polyphenols, phenolic acids, flavonols, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, terpenes and lectins. This review examines evidence that it can prevent oxidative stress, reduce blood pressure and prevent cardiovascular, metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases, stimulate the immune system and show antitumour and antimicrobial effects.