Gastro-protective effects by extracts of Petasites hybridus: the role of inhibition of peptido-leukotriene synthesis

Planta Med. 1993 Dec;59(6):494-6. doi: 10.1055/s-2006-959746.

Abstract

Extracts from Petasites hybridus are in therapeutic use for more than 2000 years. They have been claimed to improve gastrointestinal pain, lung-diseases such as asthma and cough, as well as spasms of the urogenital-tract. We have investigated these claims in animal models of gastro-intestinal ulcers and confirmed that alcoholic extracts of Petasites hybridus block the ethanol-induced gastric damage and reduce small intestinal ulcerations induced in rats by indomethacin. Searching for a possible mode of action, we found that ethanolic extracts of Petasites hybridus inhibit the peptido-leukotriene biosynthesis in mouse peritoneal macrophages but leave prostaglandin biosynthesis unimpaired. We conclude that the active principle could be useful in the treatment of gastro-intestinal human diseases and that Petasites hybridus may contribute to the inhibition of calcium-dependent processes such as leukotriene biosynthesis.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Ulcer Agents / pharmacology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Gastric Mucosa / drug effects*
  • Intestine, Small / drug effects
  • Leukotrienes / biosynthesis*
  • Lipoproteins / biosynthesis*
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / drug effects
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plants, Medicinal / chemistry*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • Anti-Ulcer Agents
  • Leukotrienes
  • Lipoproteins
  • Plant Extracts