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Pelargonium (Pelargonium sidoides) as a tool for helping with Infection (general)
Common cold and acute respiratory tract infection
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Background In numerous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews such as those published by the Cochrane Collaboration, Pelargonium sidoides extract EPs ® 7630 was shown to be effective in acute respiratory tract infections (aRTI) in all investigated age-groups. This narrative review focuses on recently published results from RCTs investigating the clinical efficacy and safety of EPs 7630 in children and adolescents with different manifestations of aRTI, in order to present a broader overview and to provide an update on the state of knowledge regarding the use of EPs 7630 in this age-group. Methods The Cochrane review on P. sidoides extract for aRTI published by the Cochrane Collaboration was searched for cited RCTs with EPs 7630 in children and adolescents suffering from aRTI. A PubMed and SCOPUS literature search was performed for publications issued before June 13, 2017 (search terms: children, Pelargonium sidoides , EPs 7630, respiratory). Reference lists of publications found were searched for relevant citations. Results Eight RCTs investigating the application of EPs 7630 in acute bronchitis, acute tonsil-lopharyngitis, and aRTI in the context of chronic preconditions were identified. Results showed a statistically significant improvement of aRTI symptom severity for EPs 7630 as compared to controls. The investigation of EPs 7630 in asthmatic children and adolescents with aRTI demonstrated a significant symptom-alleviating effect and a possibly associated reduction of asthma attacks. In immunocompromised children with acute upper RTI, an alleviating effect of EPs 7630 was shown. All RCTs reviewed reported good safety and tolerability of EPs 7630. Conclusion The P. sidoides extract EPs 7630 is effective and safe for those of pediatric age and may be regarded as an alternative option for the management of aRTI.
1 source supporting Pelargonium for Infection (general). Includes scientific publications, books, monographs and traditional-use references.
Mechanistic basis
This use is associated with the plant's antiviral action. Further evidence for that pharmacology:
For centuries the roots of Pelargonium sidoides DC have been used in South African ethno-medicine for the treatment of respiratory diseases. In Germany, a medicinal product containing a special extract of this substance is among the group of self-medication products most widely bought at chemist's shops. In December 2005, the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM, Bonn) approved a new license for its use as a drug. The following review focuses on the current pharmacological, toxicological and clinical data covering the efficacy and innocuousness of this drug when administered for the treatment of acute bronchitis.
This Cochrane systematic review assessed Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo) extract for acute respiratory tract infections, finding evidence that it relieves symptoms of acute bronchitis and other ARIs in adults and children.
This updated Cochrane review and meta-analysis found Pelargonium sidoides extract effective in relieving symptoms of acute bronchitis, the common cold and sinusitis, supporting its use for acute respiratory tract infections.
Objective To critically assess the efficacy of Pelargonium sidoides for treating acute bronchitis. Data sources Systematic literature searches were performed in 5 electronic databases: (Medline (1950 - July 2007), Amed (1985 - July 2007), Embase (1974 - July 2007), CINAHL (1982 - July 2007), and The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2007) without language restrictions. Reference lists of retrieved articles were searched, and manufacturers contacted for published and unpublished materials. Review methods Study selection was done according to predefined criteria. All randomized clinical trials (RCTs) testing P. sidoides extracts (mono preparations) against placebo or standard treatment in patients with acute bronchitis and assessing clinically relevant outcomes were included. Two reviewers independently selected studies, extracted and validated relevant data. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Jadad score. Meta-analysis was performed using a fixed-effect model for continuous data, reported as weighted mean difference with 95% confidence intervals. Results Six RCTs met the inclusion criteria, of which 4 were suitable for statistical pooling. Methodological quality of most trials was good. One study compared an extract of P. sidoides, EPs 7630, against conventional non-antibiotic treatment (acetylcysteine); the other five studies tested EPs 7630 against placebo. All RCTs reported findings suggesting the effectiveness of P. sidoides in treating acute bronchitis. Meta-analysis of the four placebo-controlled RCTs suggested that EPs 7630 significantly reduced bronchitis symptom scores in patients with acute bronchitis by day 7. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion There is encouraging evidence from currently available data that P. sidoides is effective compared to placebo for patients with acute bronchitis.
In a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, Pelargonium sidoides root extract improved symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection in children, supporting its antiviral use.
This review summarises the antimicrobial, antiviral and immunomodulatory activity studies of Pelargonium sidoides extract EPs 7630, underpinning its use for respiratory tract infections.
Pelargonium sidoides radix extract EPs 7630 reduced rhinovirus infection of human bronchial epithelial cells by modulating viral binding proteins, providing a mechanistic basis for its antiviral effect in respiratory infection.
This feasibility double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trial evaluated Pelargonium sidoides root extract (EPs 7630/Kaloba) for acute cough due to lower respiratory tract infection in adults, supporting its use as a respiratory antiviral remedy.