AUTHOR=Bonaterra Gabriel A. , Bronischewski Kevin , Hunold Pascal , Schwarzbach Hans , Heinrich Ennio-U. , Fink Careen , Aziz-Kalbhenn Heba , Müller Jürgen , Kinscherf Ralf 

TITLE=Anti-inflammatory and Anti-oxidative Effects of Phytohustil® and Root Extract of Althaea officinalis L. on Macrophages in vitro

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2020.00290

DOI=10.3389/fphar.2020.00290

ISSN=1663-9812

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Introduction</title><p>The medicinal plant marshmallow <italic>Althaea officinalis</italic> L. (<italic>A. officinalis</italic>), is used for the treatment of cough since centuries. Application of medicinal extracts of marshmallow roots shows immediate effects like a protective film on the inflamed mucosa. Because the soothing layer reduce irritation of the mucous system, a faster regeneration is supported by defense mechanisms required to protect the respiratory tract from environmental injury. Macrophages (MΦ), which belong to a group of multipurpose defensive cells, provide the first line of defense against mucosal invasive pathogens. The present study was performed to investigate, whether the herbal medicinal product has anti-inflammatory or anti-oxidative effects on pro-inflammatorily activated MΦ or after oxidative stress induction. Special attention should be payed to elucidate the effects of <italic>A. officinalis</italic> on the mechanism of intracellular defense as well as on migratory capacity of the MΦ.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>Treatment of PMA-differentiated human THP-1 MΦ with Phytohustil<sup>®</sup> increased their viability without affecting the cell number. Phytohustil<sup>®</sup> or root extracts of <italic>A. officinalis</italic> (REAo) – an active component of Phytohustil<sup>®</sup> – were able to protect human MΦ against H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>-induced cytotoxicity and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>-induced ROS production. Phytohustil<sup>®</sup>, REAo or diclofenac used as anti-inflammatory reference substance, inhibited the LPS-induced release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) as well as of IL6 in MΦ. Treatment with Phytohustil<sup>®</sup>, its excipients or REAo did not impair the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Finally, Phytohustil<sup>®</sup> and REAo activated the migratory capacity of MΦ.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p>The present <italic>in vitro</italic> investigations indicate protective, i.e., anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of REAo and Phytohustil<sup>®</sup>, additionally improving the migratory capacity of MΦ. These antiinflammatory effects were similar or even better than diclofenac. Thus, our data support and may explain the positive effect of Phytohustil<sup>®</sup> observed in patients during the therapy of inflamed buccal mucosal membranes or treatment of cough.</p></sec>