Petasites hybridus, Butterbur- Stand of the art

Abstract: An overview of the actual activities in the field of Petasites hybridus and other Petasites species is given by several european research-groups. Petasin has been described as the most potential active compound of the drug due to the high spasmolytic activity in vitro. Newest findings show activities of several compounds, especially isopetasin, as inhibitors of the synthesis of leukotrienes. Analyses of both chemovarieties with modem spectroscopic and chromatographic methods are the base for a standardisation procedure of rootextracts in future. The progress in the analysis of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids allows the selection of clones poor in alkaloids for the in vitro fertilisation studies with the view of a future cultivation of the drug. The goal of future research must be the evidence of a high benefit/risk ratio for the therapy with preparations of Petasites with strongly reduced alkaloid content an seriously checked clinical activity.

Keyword(s): Petasites hybridus

Zurück | Weiter