Bistort (Bistorta officinalis) as a tool for helping with Infection (general)

Persicaria bistorta is a perennial herb used traditionally in treating various ailments, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bleeding. In this study, we used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis to identify the chemical composition of Persicaria bistorta. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of several compounds, including flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and alkaloids. Among those, the most important from medicinal points of view are ethyl oleate (3%), cyclotetradecane (4.74%), dodecanoic acid (4.69%), hexadecanoic acid (5.61%), tetradecane (5.25%), cis-13-octadecenoic acid (10.91%), and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (32%). The GC-MS analysis of ethanolic fraction of Persicaria bistorta involved in antibacterial activity showed about 18 compounds. Among those, the most important from a medicinal and nutritional point of view are bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (42.20%), 6-octadecenoic acid methyl ester, (Z)- (10.37%), ethyl oleate (6.84%), hexadecanoic acid methyl ester (6.67%), and methyl ester and oleic acid (5.27%). Reported biological antibacterial activity has shown that the main compound determined in both extracts was bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, which has higher peak area percentage in ethanolic extract than in ethyl acetate fraction. Some oily compounds important for health because of their cis-conformation were also revealed in the given study like ethyl oleate and oleic acid. Overall, results suggest that Persicaria bistorta may have therapeutic potential and warrant further investigation. Further research is needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of Persicaria bistorta as a natural medicine and determine its active compounds' mechanisms of action.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Bistort rhizome (Bistorta officinalis) is a traditionally used plant material popular in Europe and Asia in the treatment of diarrhea and as a topical agent for skin conditions. It contains tannins mostly condensed flavan-3-ol derivatives. However, the in-depth phytochemical investigation of infusions from this plant materials is still lacking. Additionally, the scientific reports supporting the traditional topical application of bistort rhizome are scarce. Aim of the study The major objective of the present study was to comprehensively investigate the chemical composition of infusion from subterranean parts of common bistort both using hyphenated chromatographic technique and isolation approach. Additionally, the influence of water extract on pro-inflammatory functions of human neutrophils was performed. As bacterial infections play a crucial role in the generation of skin inflammations the antimicrobial activity of the infusion and its major components was established. Material and methods The chemical composition of the infusion was established using UHPLC-DAD-MS 3 method. Major compounds which could not be identified using chromatographic analysis were isolated by column chromatography and preparative HPLC. Obtained pure phytochemicals were identified by NMR analysis. The influence of the extract and compounds on the cell viability and apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. The release of pro-inflammatory cytokines after LPS stimulation was established by ELISA. Finally, the antimicrobial assays were performed by establishing MIC and MBC values using several bacterial strains. Results The UHPLC analysis revealed the infusion contained mainly, galloyl glucose derivatives, procyanidins and chlorogenic acid. Several compounds were isolated and identified for the first time from the investigated plant material. It was shown that the infusion and its constituents influenced the release of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-8 and also affected the viability and apoptosis of healthy cells. Both extract and isolated natural products displayed antimicrobial activity against skin pathogens. Conclusions The results obtained in the present study support that the infusions from common bistort influence key biological processes are crucial for skin conditions with the inflammatory background. The study justifies the traditional topical application of common bistort.