Symptom → Plant Sources
Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus) as a tool for helping with Infection (general)
inferred from antimicrobial action
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Chelidonium majus L. (family Papaveraceae), or greater celandine, is an important plant in western phytotherapy and in traditional Chinese medicine. Crude extracts of C. majus as well as purified compounds derived from it exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities (antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antitumoral, analgesic, hepatoprotective) that support some of the traditional uses of C. majus. However, herbal medicine also claims that this plant has several important properties which have not yet been scientifically studied: C. majus is supposed to have diuretic, antitussive and eye-regenerative effects. On the other hand, C. majus also has scientifically proven effects, e.g. anti-osteoporotic activity and radioprotection, which are not mentioned in traditional sources. Moreover, recent controversy about the hepatoprotective versus hepatotoxic effects of Chelidonium majus has renewed the interest of the medical community in this plant. This review is intended to integrate traditional ethno-medical knowledge and modern scientific findings about C. majus in order to promote understanding of its therapeutic actions as well as its toxic potential.
1 source supporting Greater Celandine for Infection (general). Includes scientific publications, books, monographs and traditional-use references.
Mechanistic basis
This use is associated with the plant's antimicrobial action. Further evidence for that pharmacology:
Chelidonium majus has rich medicinal value, traditionally used to alleviate coughs, asthma, spasms and pain. It is abundant in alkaloids (94 isolated, including benzophenanthridine, protoberberine, aporphine and protopine types) which have anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-tumor effects. The review covers the phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of C. majus alkaloids, noting the toxicity that limits internal use.
This review covers pathogenesis- and defense-related proteins from the latex-bearing medicinal plant Chelidonium majus (Papaveraceae) in the context of latex activity, function, pharmacological activities and antiviral medicinal use. The latex-borne defense system is hypothesized to constitute a preformed immediate defense response against viral and non-viral pathogens, relevant to celandine's traditional antiviral (wart) use.
Chelidonium majus (greater celandine) latex and its components inhibited human papillomavirus and revealed an antiviral molecular mechanism, supporting the antimicrobial use of greater celandine.