Effect of water extract of Althaea officinalis flowers on inflammation, gastric ulcer, bacterial activity, platelet aggragation, glycemia, and lipidemia. (c2006)

Abstract

Nowadays, the consumption of herbal remedies is becoming more popular based on the fact that herbal products are relatively safe, effective and inexpensive. The present investigation was undertaken to explore and shed light on possible medicinal effects of the water extract of common marshmallow (Althaea ofJicinalis) flowers upon blood lipid profile, glycemia, inflammation, platelet aggregation, ulcer and bacterial activity. After one and two months of chronic extract intake via drinking water (59, 230 and 590 mg of extract / kg body weight), a drastic increase in HDL-cholesterol was observed, along with sharp decreases in LDL-cholesterol and mild increases in triglyceride. At the same time, the water extract showed no adverse effect on liver function. An increase in both serum glucose and insulin levels was observed in animals receiving the extract for one month, which raise the possibility of development of insulin resistance syndrome. The effect of water extract of the flowers of Althaea ofJicinalis (50, 100 and 250 mg water extract / kg body weight) on ethanolinduced gastric ulcer showed a remarkable anti-ulcerogenic activity that appeared to be better than anti secretory drug such as Cimetril. The water extract of Althaea officinalis flowers (100, 250 and 500 mg of flowers / kg body weight) exhibited substantial antiinflammatory effects in vivo in both acute inflammation and chronic inflammation induced by carrageenan and formalin respectively. In addition, 500 flg of the pure extract showed a time-dependant inhibition of platelet aggregation thus protecting from thrombosis and shock. The water extract of the flowers of Althaea officinalis (200, lOO, 50, 20 and lO flg / 20 fll) didn't have any potential antibacterial effect against the hospital bacterial isolates studied. In conclusion, the water extract of the flowers of Althaea officinalis showed anti-ulcerogenic, anti-inflammatory and platelet antiaggregant activities. The extract had also a positive effect on blood lipid profile with no adverse effect on the liver which shed the light on the importance of Althaea officinalis water extract as a remedy for treating patients with hypercholesterolemia. Only one draw back of the extract was observed due to the hyperglycemic and hyperinsulinemic effects it caused.