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Mechanisms on spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory effects of a herbal medicinal product consisting of myrrh, chamomile flower, and coffee charcoal

Spasmolytische und antiinflammatorische Wirkmechanismen eines pflanzlichen Arzneimittels bestehend aus Myrrhe, Kamillenblüten und Kaffeekohle

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Summary

Inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome are chronic gastrointestinal disorders which are associated with a lifelong therapeutic need. The disease results in physical, psychological, and social problems with an impact on partnership, sexuality, education, and career. Thus, the number of patients and health care professionals relying on traditional and complementary medicines and especially phytotherapy for the treatment of these chronic conditions is increasing over recent years. One traditional herbal medicinal product consisting of chamomile flower, myrrh, and coffee charcoal has been widely used in clinical practice within this indication area. Long-term experience and an increasing understanding of the pharmacological mechanisms substantiate its application and clinical effectiveness. Mainly the spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory effects provide a rationale for its therapeutic application. In addition, synergistic effects between the herbal components contribute to the overall effect of this medication.

Zusammenfassung

Chronisch-entzündliche Darmerkrankungen und das Reizdarmsyndrom sind chronische Erkrankungen des Gastrointestinaltrakts, welche meist lebenslang therapiert werden müssen. Aufgrund der Erkrankung ergeben sich für die Betroffenen meist körperliche, psychische und soziale Probleme, welche sich negativ auf Partnerschaft, Sexualität, Ausbildung und Beruf auswirken. Aus diesem Grund greifen immer mehr Patienten und Ärzte auf Komplementär- und Alternativmedizin zurück, und insbesondere die Phytotherapie hat sich in den letzten Jahren in der Behandlung dieser chronischen Erkrankungen etabliert. Ein traditionell angewendetes pflanzliches Arzneimittel, bestehend aus Kamillenblüten, Myrrhe und Kaffeekohle (Myrrhinil-Intest®) wird in diesem Indikationsgebiet bereits seit mehreren Jahrzehnten erfolgreich eingesetzt. Die klinische Wirksamkeit und gute Verträglichkeit des Präparats ist durch langjährige Erfahrung und ein immer besseres Verständnis der zugrundeliegenden pharmakologischen Wirkmechanismen gesichert. Insbesondere spasmolytische und antiinflammatorische Wirkstrategien der pflanzlichen Komponenten begründen den erfolgreichen Einsatz im klinischen Alltag. Synergistische Effekte zwischen den pflanzlichen Bestandteilen tragen zur nachgewiesenen Wirksamkeit des Kombinationspräparats bei.

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Funding

Financial funding for the experiments was provided by Repha GmbH Biologische Arzneimittel.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Pharmacy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

    Karen Nieber

  2. REPHA GmbH Biologische Arzneimittel, Langenhagen, Germany

    Cica Vissiennon & Karl-Heinz Goos

  3. Medical Faculty, Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

    Cica Vissiennon & Jürgen Arnhold

Authors
  1. Cica Vissiennon
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  2. Karl-Heinz Goos
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  3. Jürgen Arnhold
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  4. Karen Nieber
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Correspondence to Cica Vissiennon.

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Conflict of interest

C. Vissiennon is employed by Repha GmbH Biologische Arzneimittel. K.-H. Goos is shareholder of Repha GmbH Biologische Arzneimittel. J. Arnhold and K. Nieber declare that they have no competing interests.

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Vissiennon, C., Goos, KH., Arnhold, J. et al. Mechanisms on spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory effects of a herbal medicinal product consisting of myrrh, chamomile flower, and coffee charcoal. Wien Med Wochenschr 167, 169–176 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-016-0538-y

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